Friendraising Is Fundraising: Engaging Queer Supporters When Money’s Tight
Dear fundraisers and nonprofit leaders,
It’s the end of the year, which, in nonprofit time, means two things: everyone’s exhausted, and everyone needs money.
Budgets are stretched. Grants are delayed. Donors are distracted (overwhelmed, even). And for many LGBTQIA+ and ally organizations, the urgency to finish strong financially can feel like pressure without possibility.
Here’s the good news: your community still believes in your work. They’re just waiting for an invitation to help. One that feels authentic, personal, and achievable.
That’s where friendraising comes in.
What Is Friendraising (and Why It Works)?
Friendraising – or peer-to-peer fundraising – isn’t a backup plan; it’s a power move.
Instead of relying on a handful of major donors or institutional grants, peer-to-peer campaigns harness your community’s collective influence. Think: board members, staff, volunteers, program participants, and especially Queer supporters, all turning their personal networks into mini fundraising engines.
It’s low-cost, fast to launch, and deeply relational. And for Queer communities, it’s also cultural.
We know what it means to show up for one another, to raise money for someone’s top surgery, for rent, for an art show, for a Pride float. Community giving is Queer philanthropy.
When your organization activates that same network energy at year-end, you’re not just raising money: you’re building belonging.
Why It’s Especially Powerful for Queer Communities
Peer-to-peer campaigns thrive on authenticity and connection, two values baked into Queer culture.
They build community, not competition. Queer fundraising is inherently relational. It’s about shared survival and joy. When supporters raise money together, it reinforces the idea that every dollar is part of something bigger.
They shift power. Instead of asking “Who are our biggest donors?” ask “Who are our best connectors?” You’ll find the people who can rally others through stories, not wealth.
They create new entry points for donors. Someone who donates $25 through a friend’s campaign is far more likely to stay engaged than someone who just saw a random email blast.
Every small act of giving strengthens your pipeline.
How to Launch a Quick Peer-to-Peer Campaign
Need to raise funds fast before December 31st? Here’s how to make it happen, even if you’re short on time and staff:
Start with your inner circle. Board, staff, and volunteers are your first fundraisers. Ask 5–10 people to commit to raising $500 each (or a personal goal; don’t limit them!) and give them the tools to do it, like sample captions, donation pages, impact blurbs, etc.
Make it personal. Encourage fundraisers to share why they care. “Because this organization gave me a place to belong” will always outperform “Because we need $10,000.”
Keep it visual. Use photos, short videos, and social media stories. Visuals make impact feel real.
Cheer them on publicly. Share leaderboards, spotlight fundraisers, and thank people in real time. Visibility motivates giving.
End with gratitude. After the campaign closes, send personal thank-yous from leadership and from peers. Keep those new donors in your pipeline by following up with impact updates early next year.
A Note for Straight-Led and Ally Nonprofits
If you’re an ally organization that serves or engages LGBTQIA+ communities, now is the time to put allyship into practice. Partner with Queer leaders, tap into local LGBTQIA+ networks, and let them guide your messaging and strategy.
And remember: representation isn’t just about who’s in the photos; it’s about who’s in the leadership, on the platform, and behind the message.
Finally…
When money’s tight, friendraising reminds us that fundraising is about people, not panic. Queer communities have always sustained one another through connection, creativity, and care.
So if you’re sitting at your desk wondering how to close your year-end gap, here’s your permission to put down the grants and pick up the phone. Call your people. Invite them in. Ask them to rally their circles.
Because the fastest way to raise money isn’t always institutional, it’s relational.
Need help getting started?
Queer For Hire can help you plan, launch, and lead a last-minute peer-to-peer campaign that gets cash flowing fast and builds your donor pipeline for the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Queers
Queer For Hire provides fundraising support to Queer nonprofits, LGBTQIA+ cultural competency to straight-led organizations and corporations, and individual coaching for Queer professionals.
Learn about our Fundraising Services <here> – we’ll lead or support your fundraising efforts, whether you need general support or want to focus on raising money from and for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Learn about our Fundraising Trainings <here> – we can coach your board, staff, and fundraising team on how to fundraise and how to engage LGBTQIA+ donors.
Learn about our other services <here> or our resources <here>.
