Should you fundraise privately or through a foundation? This is one of the most important questions anyone raising funds for cancer treatment must ask themselves. The decision you make will determine how quickly you can reach your fundraising goal. Don’t believe us? We’ll compare the two fundraising models to show which one is more effective.
Is it better to start a private fundraiser or one through a foundation?
People who need to raise money for medical treatment quickly often think that a private fundraiser is easier to organize, which means it can start sooner. After all, you don’t have to contact a foundation, wait for your application to be verified, or go through other formalities. Sounds good? Unfortunately, only on paper. Yes, private fundraisers often start faster. However, its reach and credibility are, in most cases, much smaller than in the case of a fundraiser organized by a foundation. This affects how quickly funds are raised. Setting up a fundraiser on a payment platform also usually means a fairly high commission charged on the funds raised.
A good example of the power of such collaboration is the campaign “I’m Still Here (A Diss to Cancer)”—a charity song by Bedoes 2115 recorded together with 11-year-old Maja Mecan and the children under our foundation’s care, with all proceeds donated to support cancer patients. It was this very track that sparked Łatwogang’s record-breaking fundraiser. The result? Over 250 million zlotys raised in just a few days for the treatment of children with cancer—an outcome virtually impossible to achieve through a single, private fundraiser without the foundation’s infrastructure, credibility, and network of partners and ambassadors.
The charitable foundation has the expertise and experience needed to run fundraising campaigns. Collaboration with the media, influencers, and public figures automatically expands the fundraiser’s reach and accelerates the achievement of its goal. Fundraisers for cancer patients are not only created but also regularly promoted by the foundation on its social media channels. This means that information about the fundraiser immediately reaches the foundation’s regular donors. At Cancer Fighters, organizing and promoting a fundraiser is free. We also do not charge a commission on the funds raised.
Are private fundraisers safe?
This is the fundamental question potential donors ask themselves. They may worry that their donation won’t go directly to the person in need or that the fundraiser is a scam. These concerns are even greater if the fundraiser asks for donations to be sent to a personal bank account to avoid fees on the payment platform. This, in turn, can lead to issues with the bank and the funds being frozen until the matter is resolved. A self-written description of the fundraiser can also raise doubts, for example, due to the lack of proper documentation confirming the patient’s condition and the purpose of the fundraiser.
As a public benefit organization, the Cancer Fighters Foundation is a trustworthy choice for potential donors. Anyone can look us up in the National Court Register (KRS), review our financial statements, and examine our bylaws. Fundraisers are organized on specialized fundraising platforms, and donations go directly to the beneficiary’s subaccount.
Check out: how to choose a cancer foundation.
Public fundraisers – here are the rules you need to keep in mind
If you’re wondering whether it’s better to set up a private fundraiser or one through a foundation, you’ve surely considered public fundraising at least for a moment. This refers to collecting funds in public places, such as through a collection drive with a donation box. Large spaces and crowds can be tempting and seem like a surefire way to quickly succeed with a fundraiser. Remember, however, that a public fundraiser must be registered on the government website and accounted for by the required deadline. It is often necessary to hire an accountant, which means another expense from the budget. A single person cannot be responsible for organizing a public fundraiser. For this purpose, a special community committee (comprising at least three individuals with no criminal record) is formed, a founding document is drafted, and the purpose of the committee’s establishment is defined. A public fundraiser does not include a collection conducted at a workplace or school (unless people from outside the institution participate) or an online fundraiser.
Check out: Why Fundraising Is Losing Momentum – Common Fundraising Mistakes.
How does the foundation's fundraising campaign for medical treatment work?
Any beneficiary of the foundation can set up a fundraiser for their treatment and rehabilitation. After verifying the patient’s condition and medical records, we create an individual sub-account where the beneficiary collects funds from donors. Disbursements from the fundraiser are monitored—this means that the patient receives a bank transfer after providing the foundation with invoices and receipts confirming the costs incurred for treatment. The clear operating principles of fundraisers under the foundation’s auspices increase their transparency in the eyes of donors. However, these are not the only ways to enhance the credibility of a fundraiser.
How can we build trust with donors?
If you follow us, you surely know how the foundation’s fundraising campaigns for medical treatment work. Behind each of our campaigns is a real person. Not an AI-generated character, not an anonymous patient. The face of every Cancer Fighters fundraiser is always a person supported by the foundation. You’ll learn their story by reading the fundraiser description. The fundraiser’s goal is clearly defined, and the fundraiser itself is updated regularly.
The credibility of the fundraiser and donors’ trust are also influenced by regular communication with donors (such as thank-you notes for donations and newsletters with updates on the beneficiary) and the opportunity for them to participate in events promoting the fundraiser or the foundation’s activities. A sense of community and clearly communicated results of the support make the donor feel that their help has a real impact on the patient’s treatment. And that is precisely our goal—to help patients, but also to ensure the safety and comfort of donors.
What does the foundation offer during a fundraiser? Benefits for donors
Donations to the foundation not only benefit and support the recipient but also offer potential benefits to the donor. Anyone filing taxes in Poland can donate 1.5% to the foundation or to a specific recipient. Donors can choose for themselves where their money goes.
Another benefit for donors is the ability to deduct donations to public benefit organizations—such as our foundation—from their taxable income.
There are several ways to donate to the foundation’s fundraiser. Having a choice of payment methods makes things much easier for both parties. We don’t have to worry that someone might not donate because they don’t support a particular payment method. And donors can contribute to the fundraiser whenever and however they choose.
Check it out: 1.5% tax for the foundation.
Private fundraising or fundraising through a foundation – the role of support during illness
Still not sure whether it’s better to start a private fundraiser or one through a foundation? Consider the support you’ll receive from a foundation. A private fundraiser means you have to create and promote the campaign on your own. That takes time. If you’re raising money for your own treatment, you may not have the time or energy for it. If you run into complications with accounting or gathering documentation, you’ll be on your own and have to rely on help from loved ones.
How does the foundation’s fundraising campaign for medical treatment work? We know what it takes to make a campaign successful. We respond to crises, including online harassment related to the campaign—which, unfortunately, can still happen. We maintain close contact with donors. We support patients and their loved ones so that their primary focus remains on the patient’s recovery.
Cancer Fighters isn’t just about fundraising for cancer patients—it also provides psychological support, social assistance, and support groups for patients’ families. If you’d like to join our community of brave fighters, please contact us.
