Comparing the Top Charity Fundraising Sites

If you’re looking to raise money on behalf of a nonprofit but aren’t sure where to start, you’re not alone. Many people feel called to support a cause close to their hearts but don’t know how to get started. What are the best platforms for fundraising? Is traditional fundraising still effective? To help, we’ve compiled a list of the top donation sites for charity fundraising, making it easier than ever to give back.
Why online fundraising for charity is the way to go
Online fundraising is one of the most effective ways to raise money for charity today. With zero overhead, online fundraisers let you share your cause instantly across platforms like TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, and more. Below, we outline what makes an online fundraiser successful.
What takes an online fundraising site from good to great?
Regular charity donation sites will offer all the basic features, like an easy setup and low fees. But the best charity fundraising sites will blow you away with the extras, like a help desk to answer your questions and resources on how to do your best online fundraising.
There is a lot to consider when looking to start charity fundraising. Is it crucial to receive the funds as quickly as possible? And is a team fundraising feature also high on your list of priorities? Below are the main features to keep an eye out for.
Does the platform have a fee?
High fees can make or break your fundraising efforts, so you’ll want to compare the different fundraising platforms and their payment processing fees when choosing the right charity fundraising site for you.
Does it offer real customer support?
Nothing is worse than an automated response when a problem needs fast fixing. A reliable customer support team is an essential feature of the best fundraising sites and can mean all the difference when trying to raise money for charity online. If you run into technical trouble, will you need to wait over 24 hours for a reply, or will a real person respond within an hour?
Are team fundraising projects an option?
Sharing fundraising responsibilities with colleagues, close friends, or family members can ease stress and make the experience more collaborative, but not all fundraising platforms offer a team feature.
Do the fundraising platforms have a mobile app?
Since most of us own mobile phones, it’s key that your chosen fundraising platform has an excellent mobile app—it makes it easy for you to manage your fundraiser on the go.
Which fundraising site is right for you?
With countless online fundraising sites available, deciding which options are the most trusted and user-friendly can be overwhelming. Below is a list of various charity fundraising sites that make supporting your favorite causes a little easier.
- GoFundMe
- Donorbox
- Fundly
- FundRazr
- JustGiving
The best online fundraising sites
1. GoFundMe
With over $40 billion raised, GoFundMe is one of the most well-known and trusted fundraising websites for individuals and charities.
A significant advantage of the GoFundMe platform is that it mobilizes individuals to raise money for a charity by starting a fundraiser and charities to raise money for their own causes when they claim their Nonprofit Pages. Our live fundraising tools offer another way to support your favorite causes across popular channels, allowing you to bring GoFundMe to your next sports game, event, or livestream.
Additionally, GoFundMe Pro is our platform built specifically to help nonprofit organizations raise more for their causes. As a supporter, you can engage with a variety of GoFundMe Pro campaigns, whether it’s crowdfunding, peer-to-peer fundraising, or events. You can even subscribe with a recurring gift to continue supporting the causes you care about most.
EASY SETUP AND STRAIGHTFORWARD DESIGN
After following a few guided prompts, you can start a fundraiser on GoFundMe in minutes. Our clean and simple design makes it easy something unforgettable and for donors to complete donations with a few clicks.
SET UP WITHDRAWALS AND TRANSFER MONEY
Setting up daily transfers of funds is easy on GoFundMe. Even if your charity hasn’t met its fundraising goal yet, you can still set up withdrawals and transfer money—a benefit of using one of the best donation sites.
SEAMLESS TEAM FUNDRAISING
Whether your fundraising group is large or small, the GoFundMe team fundraising service allows you to boost your fundraising efforts. The team fundraising option allows the organizer to manage team members and inspire friendly competition through tracked donations.
CUSTOMER SERVICE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
You would be hard-pressed to find a customer support team that rivals GoFundMe’s crew. With personalized customer service, GoFundMe’s Customer Care team will make sure you’re in good hands any time you contact them.
EASY SOCIAL SHARING
The number of times you share your fundraiser with the community can directly impact your fundraising success, so we make spreading the word about your cause simple. Raising awareness of your fundraiser will encourage more supporters to donate online to charity. When you plan on sharing through Instagram, Facebook, or other social platforms, it’s just a click of a button.
A HUB OF FUNDRAISING RESOURCES
We want your fundraiser to be a success, so we provide trusted fundraising tips on our blog to help. Maybe you’re looking for information about tax deductions for charitable donations or creative ways to raise money with a charity walk. For all of these questions and more, you can head to our blog.
2. Facebook
Facebook is one of the most used social networking platforms and also, one of the most popular donation sites—making it a convenient place to fundraise. While it has its benefits, there are some drawbacks to be aware of when raising money for a charity on Facebook.
FUNDRAISING ELIGIBILITY
To use Facebook’s fundraising tools, a charitable organization must meet specific eligibility requirements and fill out an application. Additionally, fundraising must be available in the country/region where your nonprofit is located. It’s important to note that Facebook can refuse access to Fundraising Tools for any nonprofit. Personal fundraisers are no longer supported.
FUNDRAISER INSIGHTS DASHBOARD AND TOOLS
The Insights Dashboard provides stats on fundraisers created for your nonprofit and donations made to your charity. However, the Fundraiser Insights Dashboard is only available for charities enrolled in Facebook’s Charitable Giving tools. If your charity is not enrolled, you cannot access a dashboard. Charities must apply to use Facebook’s Charitable Giving tools.
Have you found the best fundraising site for your needs?
Unlike many other fundraising and donation sites, GoFundMe has the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee that protects donations and donors. Our Customer Care team also offers customer service through our Help Center. GoFundMe has an Act hub that houses verified fundraisers in response to a crisis, offering trusted ways for people to make charitable donations online. Plus, GoFundMe has a smart mobile app and a blog full of fundraising tips and educational resources to help you raise even more money.
Here are just a few blog posts that can help you set up a donation page and reach your fundraising goals:
- The Beginner’s Guide to Viral Fundraising
- 7 Simple Steps to Creating a Foolproof Fundraising Plan
- How to Write a Thank You Letter for a Donation
- What to Do When Your Fundraiser Stalls
Raise more for your favorite charities
Whether you’re fundraising for a cause important to you or donating to a friend’s fundraising page, GoFundMe makes it easy. Take some time to explore real-life charity fundraisers on GoFundMe for inspiration, then sign up to start a fundraiser of your own.
Are you ready to get started? Begin online fundraising for what matters most to you.