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Fundraising Fundamentals

Fundraising Thermometer

The visual progress bar on a campaign page that shows dollars raised against the fundraising goal in real time.

What it means

The fundraising thermometer is the visual progress bar displayed on a campaign page, showing the amount raised so far relative to the campaign's fundraising goal. It is the single most visible piece of the campaign page, and often the first thing a donor or participant looks at before reading anything else.

How it works on HypeRaise

The thermometer updates automatically as donations come in, reflecting the same real-time reporting that drives every other number on the campaign page. There is no manual step to keep it current: a donation clears, and the bar moves, visible to anyone viewing the page at that moment.

Key details

A visibly moving thermometer can influence donor behavior on its own. A campaign that shows strong early progress signals momentum and community support, which can encourage additional giving, while a bar that appears stalled partway through a campaign can prompt a coach or administrator to intervene with a reminder before the effort loses steam.

Because the thermometer is generated directly from the fundraising goal and real-time donation totals, administrators do not need to manually update it at any point during the campaign, even as the underlying numbers change dozens of times a day during a high-traffic stretch.

Why it matters for administrators

A thermometer that updates in real time gives donors and participants an honest, current picture of progress without any manual updating from the administrator.

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