A guide to effective fundraising platforms for animal shelter and rescue charities
If you’re supporting an animal shelter, rescue group, or nonprofit veterinary clinic, the right online fundraising platform can make all the difference. Platforms like GoFundMe allow you to create targeted fundraisers that connect directly with animal lovers willing to contribute towards vital care. You can raise funds for spay/neuter programs, medical treatments, food, and shelter supplies, ensuring that more vulnerable animals receive the help they need. This guide reviews effective fundraising websites for different animal-focused causes so you can choose the right online platform for your mission.
Which fundraising sites allow fundraisers for animal rescue charities?
- GoFundMe offers an impressive global reach and many successful animal rescue fundraisers. The platform offers flexibility, allowing fundraisers to set adjustable goals, duration, and use the “keep it all” option. Its comprehensive tools make it easy to tell powerful stories, share your fundraiser, and engage supporters. You can also donate directly to animal charities and nonprofits listed on the platform.
- Zeffy is known for its zero-fee fundraising. That means no platform fees, transaction fees, or processing fees. The platform is funded by voluntary donor tips, meaning all of the money raised goes straight to the charitable cause.
- Donorbox offers customizable donation forms and embed options, making it suitable for organizations looking to maintain their brand identity and presence through its fundraisers.
- GoFundMe Pro is excellent for larger nonprofits focused on animal rescue due to its advanced fundraising tools, global reach, and payment options.
- Mightycause is a budget-friendly platform for small animal rescues due to its community-based fundraising approach. It offers everything local rescues need from donation pages to event campaigns, without the high costs.
Top-rated online platforms for raising money for an animal rescue nonprofit
GoFundMe
Why GoFundMe is a leading platform for animal rescue nonprofits
GoFundMe directly connects its global giving community with animal rescue nonprofit fundraisers. Its category filters allow donors to browse thousands of animal fundraisers with ease and find causes to support.
- Pros: GoFundMe has a global reach of more than 150 million donors worldwide. It is a safe and trusted online fundraising platform, with donations protected through the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. It’s easy and free to set up and manage a GoFundMe fundraiser. Fundraising tools in the dashboard allow for easy social sharing and email sends.
- Cons: Payment processing fees apply.
- Key features: The platform champions story-driven fundraising, allowing organizations to connect with supporters through compelling narratives, photos, and videos. It also allows organizers to message donors directly through thank-you messages and fundraiser updates to maintain engagement. In addition, social media integration makes it easy to share fundraising pages and expand reach across multiple channels straight from the dashboard.
- Pricing: No fee to create a fundraiser; processing fee ~2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
- Customer Reviews: Positive feedback on global reach and ease of use, as well as the number of community-focused fundraisers.
Zeffy
Why Zeffy is reliable for animal rescue nonprofits
Zeffy is a 100% free fundraising platform, funded by voluntary donor tips. This is ideal for maximizing donations to your animal rescue nonprofit.
- Pros: No platform fees, transaction fees, or card processing fees—instead, platform costs are covered by voluntary donor tips. With fully customizable fundraising pages, nonprofits can take control over the look and feel of their pages, allowing users to incorporate logo, color palette, and fonts.
- Cons: Lesser known and less brand recognition than larger platforms, such as GoFundMe.
- Key Features: Zeffy provides nonprofits with tools to create and sell event tickets, offer recurring donations, and manage donor relationships with a CRM integration.
- Pricing: Free; funded by optional donor tips.
- Customer Reviews: Praised for its free, user-friendly platform, as well as its customer service. Others have noted concerns with the standard of the email management system.
Effective tools for helping veterinary assistance charities raise funds
GoFundMe Pro
Why GoFundMe Pro is top-performing for veterinary assistance charities
GoFundMe Pro helps veterinary charities raise money effectively through customizable donation pages, recurring donation options, and donor management tools. These comprehensive options allow organizations to optimize fundraising for both emergency funding and ongoing support.
- Pros: Branded donation pages, excellent integration options, and suitable for peer-to-peer fundraising.
- Cons: Subscription fees and advanced customization costs may be high for smaller organizations.
- Key features: Customizable donation pages to help organizations control the look and feel of their fundraisers. Recurring donations are supported to help entice regular donors. Also includes tools to support event management, donor management, and reporting.
- Pricing: Pricing structure starting with zero subscription fees and set-up costs, with additional costs for advanced subscriptions or add-on services.
- Customer reviews: Ease of use, helpful support, and good integration capabilities for CRM systems.
Donorbox
Why Donorbox is effective for veterinary assistance charities
Donorbox offers veterinary charities essential CRM tools and customizable donation forms to connect with supporters on animal welfare issues.
- Pros: CRM tools and customizable donation forms allow charities to provide a professional service to their users.
- Cons: Platform fees and transaction fees. Basic CRM tools and reporting.
- Key features: Donorbox offers customizable donation forms, recurring donations, and basic CRM tools, allowing users to track donor information, manage history, and generate reports.
- Pricing: Platform fees range from 1.6% to 3.95%, with additional payment processing fees.
- Customer reviews: Some users praise its ease of use and affordability, while others are critical of high fees and limited donor management tools.
Which are the most effective crowdfunding options for animal shelter projects?
- Kickstarter is best suited to specific, one-off animal shelter projects with clear goals and deadlines. Due to its all-or-nothing funding model, backers contribute to clear projects that are likely to reach their goal.
- Indiegogo is most appropriate for projects that need flexible funding options, such as one-off emergency medical support for animals in need or ongoing equipment maintenance. This platform allows organizers to keep all of the money raised and use it as needed.
- Mightycause is ideal for community-focused fundraisers that rely on local networks to succeed, such as a local rescue center or shelter. It’s most suited to team-based fundraising.
Effective online fundraising tools for nonprofit animal hospitals
- GoFundMe is well-suited to emergency care fundraisers for nonprofit animal hospitals due to its easy setup and global reach. Nonprofits also benefit from its social sharing tools and effective storytelling capacity.
- Donorbox is brilliant for nonprofit animal hospitals that need ongoing support due to its monthly donor programs.
Tools for helping small animal shelters raise funds online
- Facebook fundraisers make it easy for small animal shelters to reach an engaged audience and raise money without setup costs. Facebook has built-in donation tools to help make fundraising easy, and organizers can tap into existing Facebook groups and communities to reach potential supporters.
- Zeffy is a no-fee fundraising platform, making it suitable for small shelters on a budget that want all funds raised to go directly to the cause.
- Mightycause is focused on community-focused fundraisers and is an ideal platform for shelters to harness local support.
Where to fundraise for animal shelter and rescue causes
Fundraising can be done online via platforms like GoFundMe, Zeffy, or Donorbox, and donations can also be collected through social media integrations and email sends.
GoFundMe allows organizers to set up a fundraiser as an individual supporting an animal-related cause or as the organization itself. So, whether you’re representing an animal shelter, rescue, or nonprofit organization, or simply want to support one, head to GoFundMe.
Where to donate to animal shelters and veterinary care causes
Supporters can give directly through online fundraisers hosted on GoFundMe or similar sites, ensuring their contributions go toward food, shelter, medical care, and adoption programs.
GoFundMe allows donors to search for animal shelters, rescues, and nonprofit organizations directly on the platform to donate to. Simply browse the category pages on GoFundMe or search using keywords in the search bar.
FAQ
Q: Can I fundraise for a local animal shelter on GoFundMe?
A: Yes, GoFundMe allows you to create a fundraiser directly benefiting an animal shelter near you.
Q: Are there any zero-fee fundraising platforms for animal rescues?
A: Yes, Zeffy operates with no platform fees.
Q: Which online platforms offer customizable donation forms?
A: GoFundMe Pro, Zeffy, and Donorbox all offer customizable donation forms.
Q: Which online platforms offer recurring donations?
A: GoFundMe Pro, Zeffy, and Donorbox all offer customizable donation forms.
Help save animals today
Choosing the right fundraising platform for your animal-focused nonprofit ensures more funds go toward lifesaving work. Whether you prefer the reach of GoFundMe or the advanced nonprofit fundraising tools of GoFundMe Pro, the goal is to connect with supporters who share your mission. Start your online fundraiser today on GoFundMe and help make a difference for animals in need.