You have set up your Lucky Squares campaign and hit publish. Now comes the part that determines whether you sell every square or finish with a half-empty grid: promotion.
The good news is that promoting an online grid fundraiser is simpler than most people expect. Here is what consistently works.
Start with your warmest audience
The first 20 to 30 squares almost always come from your inner circle: committee members, coaches, and volunteers who are already invested in your club or school. Do not wait for organic interest. Reach out directly to these people first, by name, in a personal message.
Something as simple as "Hey [name], we have just launched our Lucky Squares fundraiser. We are raising $X for [goal]. Can you grab a square and share the link?" works far better than a broadcast post. When the grid is already 25 to 30 per cent full, it is much easier to build momentum with the wider community. An empty grid discourages. A filling grid motivates.
Use every channel your organisation has
Promotion is not a single post. It is a consistent presence across every channel until the grid fills:
Facebook: Post the campaign link with a photo. Paid boosts to a local area audience cost as little as $10 and can significantly increase reach.
Instagram: Stories with a link sticker work well for visual grids. Post a "how many squares are left" update as the grid fills.
Email newsletter or school newsletter: Include the direct link and a clear description of what the money is for.
WhatsApp and Messenger groups: Send the link directly to team and class group chats. A message in a group chat converts far better than a public post.
Training nights and game days: Announce the campaign and have a QR code ready for people who want to buy on the spot.
Do not rely on one channel. Different supporters will be reached by different platforms.
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People do not buy squares because they love buying squares. They buy because they want to support your club, school, or cause. Every post and message should lead with the why:
"We are raising $800 for new goal posts for our under-14 team. Each $5 square gives you a chance to win $200 cash. Here is the link."
Specific goals outperform vague appeals every time. "Help us with club costs" raises less than "help us replace the junior team's worn-out uniforms."
Post milestone updates as the grid fills
One of the advantages of an online grid is that supporters can see how many squares have been sold. Use that visibility to your advantage. Post updates as milestones hit:
"We have hit 50 squares sold! Only 50 left, grab yours before the draw."
"Just 10 squares remaining. Thank you to everyone who has supported us."
These updates create urgency without being pushy and remind people who meant to buy but forgot.
Acknowledge your buyers publicly
When someone buys a square, a quick public thank-you ("Thanks to Sarah and the Thompson family for supporting us this week!") does two things. It makes the buyer feel good, and it signals to others that people they know are participating. Social proof is one of the most powerful drivers of fundraising behaviour. If your friends and neighbours are in, you want to be in too.
Follow up after the draw
Once the draw is done, close the loop. Post the winner's name, thank everyone who participated, and share what the funds will be used for. This final step builds trust and sets up your next campaign for an even stronger result.
Ready to run your campaign?
If you have not set up your Lucky Squares campaign yet, you can be live in a few minutes. Use these promotion strategies from day one and you will give your grid the best possible chance of selling out.
🤝 Know an organisation that should hear about this?
Not everyone wants to run a fundraiser themselves, but you might know the right person to ask: a P&C member, club treasurer, or someone leading fundraising for a school, club or charity. Refer them and you will go in the draw to win $100 in our monthly referral prize draw.
