How Two Moms Turned a Birthday Party into a Fundraising Success Story

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TL;DR:

ECHOage is a Canadian innovation created by two moms who saw birthdays as an opportunity to raise funds for meaningful causes. It started as a simple idea: combine e-invites with group gifts and a charitable donation. Today, it’s a powerful tool that helps families across Canada and beyond host fundraising events through kids’ birthday parties. In this blog, we explore how ECHOage was created, why it works, and how you can start fundraising with just a few minutes of planning.

From a Birthday Party to a Fundraising Platform

Let’s rewind. Two Toronto moms, Debbie Zinman and Alison Smith, were planning their kids’ birthday parties. Like many parents, they saw how gifts piled up, some well-loved, some forgotten in a week. They started to question the purpose of it all. What if birthdays could be more meaningful? What if they could help raise money for a cause and still give their child something special?

That was the spark that led to ECHOage. Their idea was simple but powerful: turn birthdays into fundraising events that support both the child and a chosen charity. Invite guests online, ask them to contribute one shared gift, and donate half of that money to a charity. It’s all done through an easy e-invite system, and it only takes a few minutes to set up.

Since launching in 2008, ECHOage has helped thousands of families raise funds for hundreds of charitable organisations, turning everyday celebrations into fundraising success stories.

Why ECHOage Was Created

ECHOage wasn’t just about simplifying party planning. It was about shifting the focus. Debbie and Alison saw a real need for meaningful gift-giving, something that would encourage children to think about generosity, gratitude, and giving back.

They also noticed that many nonprofits were looking for additional resources and ways to reach donors outside of traditional fundraising campaigns. Parents wanted to raise funds, but they didn’t know how. ECHOage gave them the tools they needed to support causes they care about, while also making their kids feel empowered and involved.

So, they created a platform that benefits everyone: families, charities, and communities. The moms behind ECHOage knew that kids want to make a difference, and their idea has become one of the most powerful tools in Canadian peer to peer fundraising.

How ECHOage Helps Kids Raise Money for Charity

Here’s how it works. When you plan your child’s party through ECHOage, you create an online invitation and choose a charity from a curated list of vetted nonprofit organisations. When guests receive the invite, they’re asked to contribute a monetary gift instead of bringing a wrapped present.

Half of the money goes toward one meaningful gift chosen by the birthday child. The other half goes directly to the selected charity. It’s simple, clear, and incredibly effective.

For families, this means no more guessing what guests will bring. For charities, it’s an easy way to gain donor engagement, build donor relationships, and encourage the public to give in honour of an upcoming event. For kids, it’s a chance to be proud of the fundraising efforts they’ve made on behalf of others.

ECHOage is also one of the few platforms that provides official donation receipts for tax purposes from the charity themselves, helping both the giver and the recipient stay organised and accountable.

Why Birthday Parties Are the Perfect Time to Raise Funds for Charity

Birthdays aren’t just about cake and gifts. They’re a chance to reflect, to gather with the people you love, and to make a difference. At ECHOage, we believe that birthday parties can be powerful tools for giving back. That’s why we focus on helping families raise money for charitable organisations in the simplest, most meaningful way possible.

When you plan a party with ECHOage, you're creating more than just an invitation, you’re creating an opportunity. Through our easy-to-use platform, you can send e-invites, collect donations, and split the funds between a special gift for your child and a nonprofit organisation that matters to your family. This simple model supports both your child’s celebration and your chosen charity, making it a true win-win.

This kind of birthday fundraising event doesn’t require ticket sales, volunteers, or even much planning. It takes just a few clicks to get started, and you can manage everything from your own home.

The best part? Kids love it. They get to choose the charity they want to support, learn what it means to give and tell all their friends about it. Whether your child is passionate about the environment, education, health, or animal welfare, ECHOage makes it easy to connect their party with a purpose. It’s a simple way to introduce them to the world of fundraising activities and help them understand how their birthday can raise money for causes that need it.

Birthday parties have always been about bringing people together. Now, they can also be about bringing support to the community, raising awareness, and helping nonprofits access the resources they need to thrive. Whether you’re raising awareness during breast cancer awareness month, for disaster relief, or just in honour of someone you love, ECHOage makes your child’s celebration count for more.

So if you’ve been searching for fundraising ideas that are easy, impactful, and full of heart, start with something simple. Start with a birthday. Start fundraising with ECHOage.

Beyond Birthdays: The Bigger Picture

While ECHOage was built around kids’ birthday parties, its use has grown. Families now use it for bar mitzvahs, baby showers, graduation parties, and other forms of celebration. The idea is the same: bring people together, create something joyful, and help others in the process.

For many nonprofits, this platform is an opportunity to connect with loyal donors, attract new participants, and provide a way for people to start fundraising without any heavy lifting. It removes the barriers to giving and puts the focus on community, kindness, and shared goals.

The best part? You don’t need to be a professional event coordinator to make it happen. ECHOage gives you helpful resources, clear instructions, and a system that does most of the work for you.

Best Practices for Running a Fundraising Party

If you're thinking about using ECHOage for your next birthday bash, here are a few tips that’ll help you make the most of it:

Start early. While setting up your party only takes just a few moments, you’ll want to give guests time to respond and plan. That means sending your invites about a month in advance.

Pick a charity that your child connects with. When kids choose a cause that matters to them, their motivation grows.

Share your story. When guests know why you’ve chosen to raise support, they’re more likely to give generously.

Remind guests before the event. A gentle reminder email or text can help boost donations.

Celebrate the impact. Talk with your child about how much was raised, where the money is going, and how they made a difference.

ECHOage in the Toronto Community

Because ECHOage was born in Toronto, it’s become especially popular with families and nonprofits across the city. Whether it’s local hospitals, education-based charities, or smaller grassroots groups, many nonprofits in the GTA benefit from ECHOage’s reach.

And with more families choosing sustainable, meaningful ways to celebrate, the trend is only growing. The platform helps you raise money while cutting down on waste and unnecessary spending, something that many parents now look for when planning events.

Why It Works

ECHOage works because it keeps things simple. No need for selling tickets or cakes. You just send an invite and let the platform take care of the rest.

It’s also inclusive. Kids of all backgrounds, families with different means, and charities of all sizes can take part. It’s not just about raising more money, it’s about building a culture of giving that starts early and grows over time.

When you use ECHOage, you're not just planning a birthday. You’re starting a meaningful story, building donor relationships, and teaching your child that their party can be more than just fun. It can be generous. It can be kind. It can make a real difference.

Choose ECHOage

At the heart of ECHOage is a simple belief: giving should be part of celebrating. Thanks to two moms who dared to do things differently, families across Canada now have a better way to party - with purpose.

Whether you're planning your child’s first birthday or their tenth, consider using that moment to raise funds for something bigger. With the right resources, a little time, and a big heart, you can turn any event into a fundraising success.

Ready to start fundraising? Get your ECHOage party going now!