A family review worksheet for the fundraiser that will go public

A family has agreed that a fundraiser would help. A coworker has written the story, someone else has chosen a photograph, and a volunteer has prepared the first message. Each part may look reasonable on its own. Together, they can reveal more or suggest something different from what the family intended.

Give the people represented one complete version to review. The worksheet below helps a first-time organizer collect clear decisions without asking the family to become copy editors. It is an editorial preparation tool, not a FundTheFirst approval form or a substitute for the platform's review.

Assemble the version a stranger would see

Put the proposed title, full story, selected photograph, caption and first-share message together. Include any intended public names and affiliations. If an image has been cropped, show that crop. If the social introduction says something the campaign story does not, make that difference visible.

Label the package with a simple version and date, such as “Family review, version 2, October 7.” Keep personal notes and supporting private documents outside it. The purpose is to let someone assess what is proposed for publication, without sorting through an entire conversation.

If the fundraiser already has a usable preview, review that view. Otherwise, a clearly labeled draft works for the discussion. Do not represent a draft as an active public fundraiser.

Work through three decisions for each part

For the title, story, photograph and first-share message, ask:

• Accuracy: Are the names, relationships and descriptions correct? Which sentence needs changing?
• Public use: Is this information or image okay to share in the intended place? Is there something that should stay private?
• Open questions: Is anything still undecided or waiting for another person's answer?

Record a short outcome beside each part: ready, revise or waiting. “Revise the description of the need” is useful; “family approved” is too broad when the image is still undecided. An unanswered question remains open. A family member can also decide that a detail is accurate but should not be public.

Ask who should review questions about another adult's words or photograph. One person's agreement should not silently become permission to speak for everyone pictured or named. Avoid collecting sensitive background information simply to complete the worksheet.

A copyable review worksheet

Use this short structure in a private note:

• Version and date:
• Title: ready / revise / waiting. Requested change:
• Story: ready / revise / waiting. Requested change:
• Photo and caption: ready / revise / waiting. Requested change:
• First-share wording and intended channel: ready / revise / waiting. Requested change:
• Information to leave out:
• Question still open and person who can answer it:
• Revised version to show next:

Keep the record limited to the decision and the needed change. For example, “omit the temporary address” is enough; the note does not need to repeat the address. This is a working aid for the organizer, not material to attach to the public campaign.

Review the revision, not the memory of an earlier yes

Here is a fictional example. A household agrees to a story saying the fundraiser will help with travel and everyday expenses. A helper then changes the opening to say that all treatment costs will be covered and substitutes a hospital photograph.

Those edits change the claim and the public image. The earlier agreement does not settle either change. Return to the approved purpose, ask about the new photograph and show the revised package. Do not fill an unanswered question with a stronger claim to keep the launch moving.

A spelling correction can be handled proportionately. A different person, financial promise, private detail or photograph deserves a fresh look by the appropriate person. Keep the final copy easy to recognize so a helper does not accidentally use an earlier draft.

Give the family a manageable review

Invite concrete edits rather than asking whether the story is emotional enough. Read it aloud if that is easier. Offer one clear review package instead of separate messages from several helpers, and avoid making silence sound like consent.

A useful final question is: “Is this the version you are comfortable having people read and share?” Keep a brief note of the agreed version and any limits on its use. If the family wants more time, leave the public material on hold while continuing other preparation that does not depend on it.

Once review is finished, use the first-share guide for the message accompanying the live link. For an active campaign changing volunteers, the handoff guide explains how to pass along the agreed material.

Move from a reviewed story to the next step

Family review helps establish what people are comfortable sharing. FundTheFirst's own process remains separate: its FAQ describes identity verification and team review before a fundraiser goes live. A completed worksheet does not establish activation or a guaranteed timetable.

When the purpose, people and public wording are ready, visit FundTheFirst.com to begin. Start a Fundraiser People Can Trust.

iDfunder is a FundTheFirst.com publication. The worksheet and fictional example are practical editorial guidance, not legal advice, a platform-required consent form or a promise of fundraising results.