Facebook fundraisers have raised more than $2bn (£1.6bn) for charities and personal causes worldwide since the launch of the social media platform’s fundraising tools in 2015.
Half of the total has been raised through a new trend in birthday charity gift giving, through Facebook’s birthday fundraising tool.
The number of people donating or creating Facebook fundraisers has also doubled since November, with the total now over 45 million.
‘A really powerful tool for fundraising’
Anita Yuen, head of social impact partnerships at Facebook, said: “Over the past few years, Facebook has become a really powerful tool for fundraising, helping charities cross borders and reach supporters no matter where they are in the world.”
“Birthday donations now sit at the very heart of that activity and it’s heartening to see a growing trend for celebrating in a more meaningful way.
“It’s incredible to see our community mobilise around the causes they care about and raise billions for important projects worldwide.”
UK charities raise millions through Facebook fundraisers
Cancer Research UK has raised £6m through Facebook fundraisers, while Help Refugees has raised £2.7m and Movember has raised £2.5m.
Nicola Smedley, director of individual giving at Cancer Research UK, said: “It’s great to see innovative, new technology like this that makes it easier for people to donate, in a way that suits them.”
Simple tools to fundraise through Facebook
Charities can create fundraisers on Facebook using the “Fundraisers" tool in the left-hand menu on the News Feed page.
Supporters can set up a birthday Facebook fundraiser two weeks before the day.
The platform sends a message to its users a fortnight ahead of their birthday, with the option to create their charity fundraiser.
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