Getting Started 3 min read

Quick Start Guide

Launch your first campaign in 10 minutes with this quick start guide.

Ready to start fundraising? This quick start guide will have your first campaign live in about 10 minutes.

Before You Begin

Make sure you have:

  • A HopeGives account (sign up if you haven't already)
  • A clear fundraising goal in mind
  • At least one photo for your campaign
  • A brief description of your cause

Step 1: Click "Start a Campaign"

From your dashboard, click the prominent "Start a Campaign" button to launch the campaign wizard.

Step 2: Choose Your Campaign Type

Select the type that best fits your fundraising goal:

  • Missionary — Ongoing missionary support and projects
  • Church — Church projects and programs
  • Nonprofit — Projects and initiatives

Step 3: Set Your Goal

Enter your fundraising target. Don't worry — you can always adjust this later. Tips for setting goals:

  • Be realistic but ambitious
  • Consider your network size
  • Break up larger goals into smaller campaigns to drive momentum

Step 4: Tell Your Story

This is the most important step! Write a compelling description that answers:

  • Who are you and why should people trust you?
  • What specifically will the funds be used for?
  • Why is this cause important and urgent?
  • How will donations make a difference?

[!TIP] Stuck on what to write? Toggle on the "Writing Assist" button to get help crafting your story.

Step 5: Add a Photo

Upload a compelling featured image. The best campaign photos:

  • Show real people connected to your cause
  • Are well-lit and high quality
  • Tell a story at a glance
  • Are at least 1200x630 pixels

Step 6: Review and Launch

Preview your campaign, accept the terms of service, and click "Launch Campaign." Your campaign is now live!

Immediately After Launch

Take these actions in the first 24 hours for the best results:

  1. Share to Social Media — Use the share buttons to post to Facebook, Twitter, and more
  2. Text the Link — Personally ask 5 close contacts to donate and share
  3. Email Your Network — Send a personal email to friends and family
  4. Post updates Often — Campaigns with regular updates keep donors engaged.

[!INFO] Most successful campaigns receive their first donation within hours of launch. If you haven't received any donations after 48 hours, revisit your story and sharing strategy.

You're Ready!

Congratulations on launching your campaign! Check out our other guides to learn how to maximize your fundraising success.