A fundraising thermometer is a visual fundraising tracker displaying real-time donation progress toward a campaign goal, often resembling a temperature gauge. Used in digital and physical formats, the donation progress bar shows supporters how contributions accumulate, transforming abstract targets into tangible milestones.
Fundraising thermometers boost donor engagement and increase donation completion rates through real-time progress visibility. They foster urgency, transparency, and community participation among undecided donors, addressing donor hesitancy by demonstrating collective impact. Campaigns using these tools often see higher conversion rates and larger average donations.
Use a thermometer for fundraising for time-bound campaigns like Giving Tuesday, crowdfunding projects, or capital campaigns. They're also an effective tool during peer-to-peer fundraising, galas, and hybrid events to maintain momentum. Use a donation goal bar when seeking to convert passive supporters into active contributors by showcasing campaign progress toward well-defined goals.
Alternatives to a donation goal bar include progress-tracking visuals like star-filled skies, donation-triggered tree decorations, or community gardens. These metaphors align with campaign themes (e.g., environmental causes), enhancing emotional connection. Custom visuals encourage a sense of community throughout your entire supporter base.
Why would you want to when you have a powerful tool like Funraise's donation goal bar creator? Still want the Excel deal? Input goal and current donation values. Calculate progress metrics, then create a clustered column chart. Format columns to resemble a thermometer: remove gaps, adjust colors, and label axes. Customize for real-time updates.