12 fundraising tools to help small animal shelters bring in support
Running a small animal shelter takes serious heart, but the reality is that most teams are stretched thin. With small staffs, limited budgets, and never-ending demands, every dollar counts. Using a fundraising tool that fits your situation can help you reach more people and bring in the support your animals deserve.
GoFundMe is one of the easiest platforms to get started with, especially for smaller teams.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 12 online fundraising platforms that can support local rescues in soliciting donations, raising awareness, and remaining productive.
What are effective tools for helping small animal shelters raise funds online?
Digital fundraising makes it easier for shelters to raise money without taking on big costs upfront. Many platforms are simple to use, even for small teams, and can connect your shelter with people who care about animal welfare. Plus, when donors can see updates, photos, and how their money is being used, they’re more likely to give and keep giving.
- GoFundMe
Key features: GoFundMe provides personalized fundraising pages, including photos and video. You can include updates in real-time so people will see the result immediately. Social sharing tools make it easy to post directly to Facebook, X, and other platforms to reach a wider audience. There’s also a donor comment section, a goal tracker, and the ability to send thank-you notes through the platform.
Pros & cons: It’s fast to set up and doesn’t require much technical skill. Great visibility, especially if your fundraiser picks up traction. The main downside is that standard payment processing fees still apply, even though there are no platform fees.
Pricing: 0% platform fee; payment processors (like Stripe) charge a transaction fee on each donation.
Customer reviews: Users on G2 say GoFundMe is “a great place to raise money,” “easy to use,” and a fantastic way to reach others. Small nonprofits often highlight how it allows for fundraising and cause awareness in a new approach with creativity.
Get started with an animal shelter fundraiser
- Facebook Fundraisers
Key features: Facebook Fundraisers let verified nonprofits collect donations directly through the platform. Built-in social sharing tools make it easier for supporters to start their own peer-to-peer fundraisers. These fundraisers are built into the user base of Facebook, which means people can donate without ever having to leave the website.
Pros & cons: No platform fees for verified charitable orgs, which makes each dollar go slightly further. But as is often the case, results will vary depending on how well you have developed your Facebook following. Fundraisers may struggle if your page has low reach or limited activity.
Pricing: No user fees for registered nonprofits. Payment processing fees still apply at 1.99% + $0.49 USD. Donations go through Facebook Payments or PayPal Giving Fund.
Customer reviews: Users praise the ability to raise money quickly through friends and family and say it’s great for maximizing donations. They also note concerns about how much control they really have, since nonprofits don’t have an easy way to contact all supporters and may miss out on long-term relationships.
Which fundraising platforms support street animal rescue charities?
- Classy
Key features: Classy gives shelters tools to build professional-looking fundraising pages. It also supports peer-to-peer fundraising, event ticketing, and team fundraisers, so it is perfect for larger fundraisers or staying engaged longer.
Pros & cons: It’s powerful and customizable, especially for nonprofits that want to scale. But it’s not the best fit for very small shelters just starting out. Some users say the setup takes time and requires a bit of a learning curve.
Pricing: Pricing depends on feature level and usage. You can try it out for free with a demo before you commit full on.
Customer reviews: Users appreciate the visual appeal of fundraiser pages and the built-in reporting tools. Many mention that once you’re past the initial setup, it becomes a reliable way to manage supporters and keep donors engaged over time.
- Donorbox
Key features: Donorbox makes it easy to accept donations right from your shelter’s website. You can create a one-time or recurring giving option, capture donor information, and integrate with services like PayPal, Stripe, and your email system. Text-to-give and company gift matching integration is also included.
Pros & cons: It works well if your shelter already has a website and you want to keep things in one place. Some users mention that customization options can feel limited unless you’re on a paid plan.
Pricing: 1.75% platform fee per donation, plus standard payment processing fees. Free plan available with basic features.
Customer reviews: Reviewers say it’s “easy-to-use software” and love that it “has plenty of features allowing it to grow with us.” Others highlight how easy it is to save time and raise money. Read more reviews.
What are some tools that assist veterinary assistance charities in raising funds?
- Bonfire
Key features: Bonfire allows shelters to fundraise by selling unique t-shirts, hoodies, and other merch. You create the product, name your price, and Bonfire handles the rest (printing, shipping, and customer service). Fundraising pages are easy to set up, and profits go directly to the shelter.
Pros & cons: It’s great for community engagement and raising awareness, not just funds. That said, the profit margin depends on how much you charge over the base price, so it might not bring in large donations unless you move a lot of product.
Pricing: Free to use. Bonfire keeps a base cost from each sale, and the rest goes to your fundraiser.
Customer reviews: Many users say it’s easy to create merchandise, and love how Bonfire is “streamlined, relatively frictionless across tools.” Others mention that Bonfire takes care of all the order details and shipping.
- Fundly
Key features: Fundly helps shelters create mobile-friendly fundraising pages with space for videos, photos, and detailed updates. It’s designed for storytelling, making it easier to connect emotionally with donors. Fundraisers can be shared on social media, and the dashboard includes basic donor tracking tools.
Pros & cons: Easy to use and visually engaging, especially for one-off fundraisers or emergencies. Some users say the interface feels a bit outdated, and the platform fee can cut into your total donations.
Pricing: 4.9% platform fee plus standard credit card processing fees.
Customer reviews: Users say it’s “easy for me to figure out” and appreciate “how easy it was to find and connect with others.” Others point out that it’s a solid option for shelters that need a fast, no-frills way to raise money.
Which online platforms can you use to raise money for animal rescue groups?
- Mightycause
Key features: Mightycause is built for nonprofits that want more than just a donation page. You can run fundraising events, set up peer-to-peer fundraisers, manage donor info, and track how people interact with your fundraiser, all from one dashboard. This is also useful for repeat drives or if you want to nurture deeper relationships with regular donors.
Pros & cons: Plenty of useful features, so very good if you are in the process of getting organized and your shelter is growing. However, the platform is less beginner-friendly and might be too expensive for very small teams.
Pricing: Starts at $59/month for advanced features. A free version with limited tools is available.
Customer reviews: Reviewers say it’s feature-rich and easy to customize, and they like that it’s an “affordable and functional solution.” Others note the support team is responsive when help is needed.
- Give Lively
Key features: Give Lively is a free, full suite of fundraising tools for nonprofits. It includes text-to-donate and custom donation pages. The platform also integrates with Salesforce and other CRMs. It supports peer-to-peer fundraising and lets shelters embed donation widgets directly onto their website.
Pros & cons: One of the few platforms offering core features at no cost, which is ideal for small shelters. Some users say the interface isn’t as polished as paid alternatives, and design options are somewhat limited.
Pricing: Free for verified nonprofits. Processing fees from payment providers still apply.
Customer reviews: Users like that it “not only solved several operational needs for our organization through the tools offered on the platform, but they have provided incredible advisory support and accountability,” and say it’s a solid platform for getting started without a big budget. Others mention the especially helpful customer support.
What websites can help animal shelter charities collect donations online?
- Flipcause
Key features: Flipcause pulls together everything a small nonprofit might need (donation forms, event tools, volunteer sign-ups, and basic donor tracking) into one place.Tailored and built for small nonprofits, in order to help you focus on fundraising and lessen the admin work.
Pros & cons: Good for teams that just want it all in one place instead of using different tools. Its customization does have its limitations, and some users have commented that the learning curve for all-in-one platforms can be difficult if you are a beginner.
Pricing: Flat monthly rate based on organizational size. No platform fees per donation.
Customer reviews: One nonprofit praised Flipcause for giving them “a customized website which is so easy to use and the FC staff does all the initial set-up using your existing site info, layout, and graphics.” Another mentioned that having onboarding made it easier to kick off and migrate their site. A few flagged the lack of design flexibility but felt the tradeoff was worth it for the support and features.
- CauseVox
Key features: CauseVox centers around traditional crowdfunding and community-driven fundraising. This involves donation pages, team fundraising, and event registration capabilities. The platform is designed to feel modern and intuitive, with branding options that help shelters create pages that look like their own website.
Pros & cons: Great for smaller orgs showcasing a good story. Some advanced features are gated behind the paid plans, and a few users say the backend isn’t as flexible as they’d like.
Pricing: Free starter plan available. Pro and Plus plans unlock additional features.
Customer reviews: “Their back-end UI is very simple to use, and it is very easy to get all the data you need.” Another reviewer said they loved how quickly they could launch a fundraiser and appreciated the personal support from the CauseVox team. One comment summed it up well: “We have endless wonderful things to say about CauseVox.”
- Kickstarter
Key features: Kickstarter is preferable for goal-based funding, which can be handy for things like expanding to a new wing of a shelter or getting a transport vehicle. Fundraisers include compelling visual storytelling with videos and photos. Specific Progress updates keep backers informed. On Kickstarter, backers generally get rewards or perks based on the level of donation.
Pros & cons: Great for big, one-time needs with a clear goal and timeline. But if the fundraiser doesn’t reach its fundraising goal, you don’t receive any of the pledged funds. Also, the platform leans more toward creative and business projects, so shelters may need extra effort to stand out.
Pricing: 5% platform fee if the project is fully funded, plus payment processing fees.
Customer reviews: One reviewer shared that “Kickstarter has a large base, and it is likely that your fundraiser will be seen by numerous people.” Others liked the vetting process that comes with an all-or-nothing model, saying it helped motivate their audience. The higher transaction fees were mentioned as a challenge.
- Chuffed
Key features: Chuffed is built specifically for social causes, with tools for donation pages and ticketed events, plus crowdfunding tools. Flexible fundraiser design, donor data collection, and the ability to run tipping-based fundraising (supporters may optionally add a small tip in lieu of shelters covering platform fees).
Pros & cons: No platform fees means even more of each donation goes directly to the shelter. Yet, a few of its users mention fewer customization choices than larger platforms and differing support response times.
Pricing: No required platform fees. Donors can choose to add a tip to support Chuffed’s operation. Standard payment processing fees apply, which are passed on to the donor.
Customer reviews: “It has been a smooth and humane process, and I am grateful Chuffed exists the way it does.” Another user liked that the no-fee model helped avoid extra costs while still supporting the platform. Some reviews noted that fundraiser setup was simple, but expressed concern as to the validity of fundraisers.
FAQs
What’s the easiest platform to start with for a small team? GoFundMe and Donorbox are user-friendly platforms that can be set up with minimal effort.
Are there any platforms with no upfront costs? Yes. Bonfire, GoFundMe, Give Lively, and Facebook Fundraisers, to name a few, all let you start without any initial payment.
How can I promote a fundraiser for my shelter? Use social media, post regular updates, and make your story personal. Photos and video help a lot.
Can I fundraise for veterinary emergencies or surgeries? Absolutely. Many platforms support emergency fundraising; just be clear and specific in your fundraiser.
Which tools help track donor engagement over time? Donorbox, Classy, GoFundMe, and Flipcause all offer donor management and analytics.
Choose tools that match your shelter’s needs
Not every tool will make sense for every team. Something more complex may be needed for a large rescue with full-time staff. For a smaller shelter run by two people, answering phones and cleaning kennels? Probably not. Favor tools that align with your current capacity, but that can grow with you later.
Start with something simple if that’s what works today. Many platforms offer free options, so don’t be afraid to try one, then shift if you need to.
GoFundMe is a great starting point for small teams that want something quick and manageable. But take your time exploring the others, too. The best fit is the one you can actually use without burning out.