Fundraising Thermometer Generator

How to use a fundraising thermometer

A fundraising thermometer is the simplest way to show supporters how close you are to a goal. The colored bar rising toward the top tells the story at a glance: how much is raised, how much is left and that every gift moves the needle. It works for a playground campaign, a team’s travel fund, a Giving Tuesday push or a building project.

1. Set one clear goal. A specific amount for a specific purpose, such as “$25,000 for the new playground”, works better than a general appeal.
2. Create your thermometer. Enter the goal, the amount raised so far, a short headline and your organization’s name. Add your logo if you like.
3. Share it where supporters look. Post the image on social media, print it for the lobby or the event, add it to your newsletter and embed it on your donation page.
4. Update it regularly. Generate a new version each time you count donations, for example weekly or after every event, and replace the old image and embed code.
5. Celebrate milestones and the finish. Share the halfway mark, the last stretch and the day you reach the goal, and thank donors each time.

Fundraising thermometer template: what to show

A good thermometer answers three questions without any explanation: what are we raising money for, how much do we need, and how far have we come? The generator lays out every thermometer the same way:

Keep the headline short enough to read from across a room, about six to eight words. Name the purpose, not just the amount. If several organizations run the campaign together, use the second line for all their names or the campaign name.

Printable and digital versions

The PNG download is a 1080 × 1350 pixel image in portrait format. It fits social media posts, presentation slides, newsletters and printed flyers. For posters and banners, use the SVG download: it is a vector graphic, so it stays sharp at any size, and print shops and design tools such as Canva, Illustrator or Inkscape can open it.

Ideas for using both versions during a campaign:

• Event display: print a large version for the entrance of your gala or school fair and update it during the evening, for example after a paddle raise.
• Social media: post the image with each update and a link to your donation page. A visible milestone is a natural reason to post again.
• Email and newsletters: put the thermometer at the top of your appeal or update, right above the donate button.
• Classroom or clubhouse: a printed thermometer on the wall keeps members and families involved in longer campaigns.

Embedding on your website

The embed code is a short piece of HTML with the thermometer drawn inside it, so it needs no outside files and loads with your page. Copy it and paste it into your website builder’s HTML or code block. Most builders, such as WordPress, Squarespace or Wix, have one. The thermometer scales to the width of the column, up to 360 pixels.

The code shows the amount on the day you created it. When you raise more, come back, enter the new total and replace the code on your site. It includes a small credit link to this generator; if your site doesn’t allow outside links, download the image instead and upload it like any other picture.

Using a thermometer as a fundraising goal tracker

A thermometer is only as motivating as it is current. Pick a fixed rhythm for updates, such as every Friday or after every event, and stick to it. Count only money that has actually arrived or been firmly pledged, and say which one you show; supporters lose trust when a thermometer jumps backward.

For longer campaigns, set intermediate goals and show them in the headline, such as “First $10,000 for the climbing frame”. And plan what happens after you reach the goal: a stretch goal with a new thermometer, or a thank-you post that shows what the money will do.

Ideas for different kinds of campaigns:

• Capital campaign: one thermometer for the whole project, and a separate one for each phase, so supporters see progress even when the total is large. See our capital campaign guide.
• Giving Tuesday or a 24-hour challenge: update every few hours and post each new image; the short deadline and a visibly rising bar work together.
• Team or trip fund: give every team its own thermometer for its uniforms or tournament travel, and one for the club as a whole.
• Peer-to-peer fundraising: volunteers who raise money from friends and family can share their own thermometer with a personal headline.
• Matching gift: when a sponsor matches donations up to an amount, make that amount the goal and say so in the headline.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed October 30, 2026. Figures as of October 30, 2026.