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Nonprofit software

8 Best Fundraising Sites for Individuals & Nonprofits (2026)

May 18, 2026

Most fundraising sites take 1-5% of every donation, so choosing the right platform can mean keeping thousands more for your cause. Looking for the best fundraising sites with the lowest fees? Here’s the quick answer:

  • Zero-fee fundraising site for nonprofits: Zeffy
  • Best crowdfunding site for individuals: GoFundMe
  • Best platform for recurring nonprofit donations: Donorbox
  • Best peer-to-peer platform for large nonprofits: GoFundMe Pro
  • Best crowdfunding site for creative projects: Kickstarter
  • Best for quick community or event fundraising: SignUpGenius Donations / Fundly
  • Best flexible crowdfunding platform: FundRazr
  • Best for merchandise fundraising: Bonfire

Raising money online has never been easier, but choosing the right platform is not always straightforward.

Most fundraising sites take a percentage of every donation. That might sound small at first, until you realize that fees can range between 1–5% and result in thousands of fundraising dollars lost to software and payment processors.

Let’s put it in perspective: If you raise $50,000, you could lose $500-$2,500 to fundraising site fees.

So, which fundraising sites actually let nonprofits and individuals keep the most money? Which options can donors trust to see the maximum amount of their donation go toward worthy causes?

The quick answer: The best fundraising site depends on your needs, but Zeffy is the only platform that charges 0% in monthly, platform, transaction, or upgrade fees, meaning nonprofits keep 100% of every donation.

Most fundraising sites take a percentage of every donation. That might sound small at first, until you realize that fees can range between 1–5% and result in thousands of fundraising dollars lost to software and payment processors. - Executive Director Leyla Hekmatdoost, Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center

Below, we’ve taken the time to compare the best fundraising websites for both individual fundraisers and nonprofits so you can choose confidently.

Fundraising Site Fees at a Glance

Platform Best For Platform fee Processing fee Monthly Cost Fees Taken on Every $10,000 Raised

Zeffy

Nonprofits who want zero fees

0%

$0

$0

$0

GoFundMe

Personal crowdfunding + verified charity campaigns

$0

2.2% + $0.30 (charity); 2.9% + $0.30 (personal)

$0

$440

Donorbox (Standard Plan)

Mid-size nonprofits with recurring donors

2.95-3.95% per transaction

~2.2% + $0.30

$0

$665-$765

GoFundMe Pro

Large nonprofits running peer-to-peer campaigns

Custom pricing

Custom (varies by contract)

Custom / Contract

Varies (custom-priced)

SignUpGenius Donations (Fundly)

Individuals running quick personal fundraisers

0%

~2.9% + $0.30

$0

$440

Kickstarter

Creative projects and product launches

5% of total funds raised

~3% + $0.30 per pledge

$0

$950

FundRazr

Flexible personal and community fundraising

1–5% (donor tip option available to cover cost)

~2.9% + $0.30 per donation

$0

$540-$940

Bonfire

Merchandise-based fundraising

Built into product/merchandise pricing

8% on optional donations (outside of merch sales)

$0

$800

*Calculations on fees taken from $10,000 assume 500 transactions for example purposes.

The 8 Best Fundraising Sites: Detailed Reviews


1. Zeffy: Best for nonprofits that want zero fees

Zeffy is the only free fundraising site built for nonprofits that charges zero fees, which allows you to keep every dollar you raise. Zeffy provides nonprofits with user-friendly tools to start raising money across a wide array of campaign types and donor management tools. 

The platform is trusted by over 100,000 organizations that have raised a collective $2 Billion that went directly toward their mission, and never to platform and processing costs like many “free” or low-cost options.

Pricing

While every other fundraising site   deducts fees from your mission, Zeffy delivers 100% of the funds to your nonprofit. When someone donates, they have the option (but are never obligated) to add a tip. Not everyone tips every time, and that's okay. Enough donors leave a contribution to cover Zeffy’s overhead and fees, so nonprofits never incur any expenses.

  • Platform fee: 0%
  • Payment processing fee: $0
  • Monthly fee: $0
  • Contracts: None
  • Upgrade fees: None, all features are available at no cost from the start

Key features

  • Donation forms, events, raffles, auctions, peer-to-peer fundraising
  • Memberships, e-commerce, and recurring donations
  • Built-in CRM and donor database (no extra tools required)
  • Nonprofit database to boost donations and exposure among donors
  • Automatic tax receipts and reporting
  • Multiple payment types accepted

Pros

  • Keep 100% of donations
  • All fundraising tools in one place
  • Built for nonprofits from day one

Cons

  • Only available to registered nonprofits

“As a registered charity, we have a duty and responsibility to ensure we’re maximizing the funds our donors so graciously give, and Zeffy is one of the ways we can do that. We moved from a platform where monthly and annual fees had a real impact on our bottom line, and that platform didn’t offer anything that Zeffy doesn’t. We’re truly grateful for the no fees.” - Tanya F., G2 2026 review


2. GoFundMe: Best for personal crowdfunding campaigns

GoFundMe is the most widely recognized personal crowdfunding platform, ideal for individuals raising money for emergencies, medical costs, or community support.

Looking for more options? See our full list of GoFundMe alternatives.

Pricing

GoFundMe is free to set up for both individuals and verified charities. Standard GoFundMe applies payment processing fees on each donation: 2.2% + $0.30 for verified charities, 2.9% + $0.30 for individuals/personal campaigns. Both add an optional donor tip at checkout. (For larger nonprofits, GoFundMe Pro is the separate enterprise platform — covered below.)

  • Platform fee: 0%
  • Payment processing fee: 2.2% + $0.30 for verified charities; 2.9% + $0.30 for individuals/personal campaigns (+ optional donor tip)
  • Monthly fee: $0
  • Contracts: None
  • Upgrade fees: None, all features are available at no cost from the start

Key features

  • Extremely fast campaign setup (minutes)
  • Built-in social sharing and visibility
  • Donor protection guarantee
  • Global audience and brand trust

Pros

  • The easiest platform for an individual fundraiser to launch quickly
  • Strong built-in brand recognition increases donor confidence
  • Ideal for emotional, story-driven campaigns

Cons

  • Fees still apply to every donation
  • Limited tools for nonprofits or long-term fundraising
  • Minimal reporting and donor management

“I have had 2 experiences and I was so grateful it helped me in a time in need to see people who didn’t even know me contribute” - Angelique M., Capterra 2025 review

3. Donorbox: Best for mid-size nonprofits with recurring donors

Donorbox is a fundraising site focused on recurring giving and integrations, making it popular with growing nonprofits that want to build predictable revenue.

You can get a more in-depth look at user feedback and FAQs in our complete Donorbox review.

Pricing

Donorbox features a Standard, Pro, and Premium plan that vary in pricing. The Standard plan is considered to be their free option, but it’s important to know that a platform fee and payment processing costs apply. Upgrading to the other tiers will require an additional monthly cost.

  • Platform fee: 2.95%- 3.95% for Standard plan, varies with upgraded tiers
  • Payment processing fee: ~2.2% + $0.30
  • Monthly fee: $0 for Standard, $150 for Pro, and Premium requires a custom quote
  • Contracts: None
  • Upgrade fees: Advanced features require a paid Pro or Premium plan

Key features

  • Recurring donations
  • Integrations with CRMs and marketing tools
  • Donor analytics and reporting
  • Text-to-give and peer-to-peer options

Pros

  • Strong recurring donation tools
  • Good for scaling nonprofits
  • Wide integration ecosystem

Cons

  • Fees increase as donations grow
  • Monthly plans are required for key features
  • Costs stack quickly for small teams, even on the lowest cost plan

“Donorbox is very easy to set up and start using. The navigation is clear, which makes it easy to find the path you need quickly and efficiently. The graphs really help you to monitor your progress in fundraising.” - Darrell B., G2 2026 review

4. GoFundMe Pro (formerly Classy): Best for large nonprofits running peer-to-peer campaigns

GoFundMe Pro (formerly Classy) is an enterprise-level fundraising site designed for mid-to-large nonprofits running peer-to-peer and large-scale campaigns.

Pricing

GoFundMe Pro requires nonprofits to contact their team to get the most accurate pricing quote. Platform fees apply to every donation, and advanced fundraising features require upgrading to a paid monthly plan or a custom enterprise tier.

  • Platform fee: Custom pricing, a quote is required
  • Payment processing fee: Custom — varies by contract
  • Monthly fee: Custom pricing, a quote is required
  • Contracts: Yes, most plans require a contract
  • Upgrade fees: Some features are considered add-ons and available for additional fees

Key features

  • Enterprise reporting and analytics
  • Large peer-to-peer campaign tools
  • Integrations with Salesforce and CRMs
  • Dedicated account management

Pros

  • Powerful for large teams and major campaigns
  • Enterprise-level reporting
  • Trusted by large national nonprofits

Cons

  • Expensive for small and mid-size organizations
  • Contracts and onboarding required
  • Overkill for volunteer-run teams

“It's more customizable than other similar products. Customer support is usually pretty good.” - Verified User, G2 2025 review

5. SignUpGenius (formerly Fundly): Best for individuals running quick personal fundraisers

SignUpGenius Donations (Formerly Fundly) is a simple crowdfunding platform designed for individuals and small community groups who want a fast campaign setup without technical barriers.

Pricing

Fundly has become SignUpGenius Donations, and follows a similar pricing structure that can be low-cost for individuals and nonprofit organizations. 

  • Platform fee: 0%
  • Payment processing fee: ~2.9% + $0.30
  • Monthly fee: None
  • Contracts: None
  • Upgrade fees: None

Key features

  • Mobile-friendly campaign pages
  • Social sharing tools
  • Easy setup and flexible campaigns
  • No fundraising goal requirement

Pros

  • Easy to launch quickly for many cause types
  • Flexible campaign structure
  • Suitable for community groups and events

Cons

  • Transaction fees apply
  • Limited functionality to run multiple campaign types
  • Fees add up quickly on large campaigns

“Overall, SignUpGenius is a practical and reliable tool for managing sign-ups. It keeps everything organized in one place, makes it easy for people to participate, and helps events run smoothly. While it has a few limitations, the convenience and efficiency it provides make it a strong choice for coordinating volunteers and donations.” - Kylee G., Software Advice 2025 review

‍6. Kickstarter: Best for creative projects and product launches

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform designed for creative projects that use an all-or-nothing funding model. That means creators only receive funds if they reach their full fundraising goal, and no money is available if they fall short.

Pricing

Kickstarter comes at a cost, but if a project doesn’t hit 100% of its target amount by the deadline, all pledges are canceled, and no fees are charged.

  • Platform fee: 5% of funds raised (only if the campaign is successfully funded)
  • Payment processing fee: ~3% + $0.20 per pledge
  • Monthly fee: None
  • Contracts: None
  • Upgrade fees: None

Key features

  • Built-in audience for creative projects
  • All-or-nothing funding structure
  • Feature in a project discovery marketplace
  • Creator support resources

Pros

  • Large audience for creative campaigns
  • Strong trust and visibility
  • Excellent for product launches and for-profit fundraising

Cons

  • Funds are only released if the goal is met
  • Not designed for nonprofits
  • Competitive marketplace to attract funders in

“What is most helpful about Kickstarter is that it helps the ideas and projects of people come to reality through the funds they receive.” - Joel A., G2 2024 review

‍7. FundRazr: Best for flexible personal and community fundraising

FundRazr supports multiple campaign types, including personal, nonprofit, and community fundraising with simple crowdfunding options.

Pricing

FundRazr offers optional donor tips, where individuals and nonprofits can reduce the standard platform fee to 0%. A payment processing fee will still apply in either case.

  • Platform fee: 1% for donation forms, 5% for fundraising pages (0% when)
  • Payment processing fee: ~2.9 + $0.30 
  • Monthly fee: None
  • Contracts: None
  • Upgrade fees: None

Key features

  • Multiple fundraising models for personal and community needs
  • International support
  • Recurring donation options
  • Facebook fundraising integration

Pros

  • Flexible campaign types (peer-to-peer and donation forms)
  • Social sharing options help spread the word
  • Microprojects can support crowdfunding and recurring giving

Cons

  • Fee structure varies widely based on what donors tip
  • Events and donor engagement is not supported
  • Less brand recognition than competitors

“I like that it's easy to "share" on social media platforms -- that has generated additional support including those who have never supported KIDS FIRST! before. It pays on time, whether through PayPal or Stripe. It doesn't cost a bundle to participate, unlike some other platforms.” - Ranny L., G2 2025 review

8. Bonfire: Best for merchandise-based fundraising

Bonfire helps organizations raise money by selling custom apparel and merchandise to their communities and expanding their reach to new audiences.

Pricing

Bonfire’s fees are built into product pricing, which means that your cost is built into product base prices. That way, when you price your products, you keep the revenue. However, any optional donations received on top of merchandise sales will be subject to payment processing fees.

  • Platform fee: 0% (campaigns are free to run, but products will cost varying amounts to create)
  • Payment processing fee: 8% on optional additional donations
  • Monthly fee: None
  • Contracts: None
  • Upgrade fees: None

Key features

  • Custom apparel storefronts
  • Print-on-demand fulfillment
  • No inventory required
  • Built-in campaign pages

Pros

  • Great for schools, clubs, and teams
  • No upfront risk or inventory
  • Easy to run seasonal campaigns

Cons

  • Limited to merchandise fundraising
  • Profit margins vary by product pricing
  • Not a full fundraising platform

“I was given an intake module to use. We were able to create a process with it that works well with what we do, which is pre procurement activities. BonFire customer service is excellent. They add new features to the software all the time.” - Olga S., Software Advice 2024 review

How Much Do You Actually Keep? (Fee Breakdown)

Talking about fees in percentages can be helpful, but real dollars make the impact easier to see at a glance. Below is what a $10,000 campaign looks like after typical platform and payment processing fees are taken.

* Assumption for example purposes: 500 donations total and no donor tips applied.

If you raise $10,000, how much actually reaches your mission?

Responsive Table
Platform You Raise Fees Taken You Keep
Zeffy $10,000 $0 $10,000
GoFundMe $10,000 $440 $9,560
Donorbox (Standard Plan) $10,000 $665 $9,335
GoFundMe Pro $10,000 Custom Varies (custom-priced contract)
SignUpGenius Donations (Fundly) $10,000 $950 $9,560
Kickstarter $10,000 $740 $9,050
FundRazr $10,000 $740 $9,260
Bonfire $10,000 (optional donations only) $800 $9,200

“Every dollar matters. We save as many animals as we can afford to save. That’s the math.” — Holly DeRito, Founder of Waggytail Rescue, a volunteer-led organization 

How to Choose the Right Fundraising Site

Choosing a fundraising site is less about what looks good on paper and more about what’s right for your goals today and in the coming years. Ideally, you choose a fundraising site that grows with you, and you don’t have to go through the selection process again.

The right choice is all about which platform fits how you fundraise, how fast you need to launch, growth plans, donor experience, and your budget. Before launching your next campaign, here’s a simple decision framework to guide you.

1. How much of every dollar will you keep?

Platform and processing fees can start to reduce the amount of money that actually reaches your cause, especially if you didn’t budget for them. Some platforms take a larger cut than others, so transparency matters when you’re selecting the fundraising tool that best fits your goals.

Somewhere to start your search:

  • If keeping every dollar is your top priority, Zeffy is the standout zero-fee option that can grow with you.
  • If you want a familiar, easy platform for individual fundraising and are comfortable with standard processing fees, GoFundMe is a simple and widely trusted choice.
  • If your fundraising includes merchandise or products, Bonfire is great because costs are built directly into pricing.

“Financial stewardship is one of our core values, so platform fees were a real concern with Donorbox, where we were losing 2.95% on general donations and 3.95% on events, peer-to-peer, and memberships. That didn’t sit right with our commitment to transparency.” - Alyssa Roman at Village Reach, an organization that saved $1,500 in fees switching from Donorbox to Zeffy.

Donors care about this too, and many hesitate when fees feel high or unclear. According to the 2025 Donor Behavior & Giving Trends Report by Zeffy, 40% of donors walked away because they didn’t know how their donation was used or were turned off by high fees. 

2. How fast can you launch?

You shouldn’t need a tech background or a full afternoon to get started with a fundraising site, and you can tell when the user experience is built with your needs in mind. Especially as a small nonprofit or scrappy team, you may need that reassurance of a fast turnaround to sign up and launch your first campaign.

Somewhere to start your search:

  • If you’re building up your fundraising strategy with little time and budget, are a grassroots organization, or just need to start collecting donations right away, Zeffy is the easiest place to begin.
  • If you need something you can launch quickly for a school, community, or personal fundraiser, GoFundMe or SignUpGenius Donations make it easy to get started fast.
  • If you’re launching a creative project with a clear funding goal, Kickstarter is designed specifically for that model.

3. How fast will you receive funds?

Whether you’re paying vendors, covering urgent expenses, or funding an event, payout speed matters. Most major platforms offer predictable payout schedules, but it’s always worth confirming timelines before launching so you’re not waiting on donations that make all the difference.

Somewhere to start your search:

  • If you need access to funds quickly for an upcoming event or urgent need, Zeffy offers straightforward payout timelines without complicated withdrawal steps.
  • If you’re running ongoing campaigns and want predictable deposits you can plan around, Donorbox provides consistent payout schedules that work well for recurring fundraising.
  • If your campaign depends on hitting a funding goal before moving forward, Kickstarter is designed for that model, with funds released once the campaign successfully ends.

4. What will the donor experience feel like?

A smooth, mobile-friendly donation flow directly increases completed donations. Thinking about how your donors will experience your giving process is a big consideration for nonprofits that want to prioritize acquisition, retention, and loyalty that keep their mission going.

Somewhere to start your search:

  • If a polished donor experience matters most, Zeffy offers modern, mobile-friendly donation flows.
  • If you want a platform donors strongly recognize and trust, GoFundMe provides a familiar giving experience that many supporters feel comfortable using.
  • If you’re a large organization that wants to support in-depth donor journeys and customization, GoFundMe Pro offers strong options to make the experience your own.

    You’d be surprised how many donors abandon donations due to confusing checkout, high fees, or lack of transparency, so the giving experience can help your overall fundraising strategy.

    5. Do you need reporting or team tools?

    You may just be looking for a one-time fundraising tool or fundraising individually. If you do want to grow long-term programs or work together with others easily, collaboration tools and reporting will be a game-changer you’ll definitely want to ask about.

    Somewhere to start your search:

    • If you need an easy setup to start collecting funds today and reporting, that’s simple to apply to your greater strategy, Zeffy can help you keep things straightforward.
    • If you’re managing a larger team and need in-depth reporting and CRM functionality, Donorbox or GoFundMe Pro are built to scale with you.
    • If you just need a way to fundraise one-time, GoFundMe can help you do that without adding data and complexity to your process.

    “We would also have to design flyers for every fundraiser, and they would look tacky, cheap, and piecemeal,” she says. “There was no way to know what fundraiser brought in money-wise. When you are fundraising, it is nice to know what fundraisers to do the following season.” - Sonya Matheny, administrator at Flyer’s 12U

    FAQs: Best fundraising sites to save money and simplify your day

    Zeffy currently has the lowest fees because it doesn’t charge any. It’s the only major platform that doesn’t ask nonprofits to pay platform and payment processing fees (or both), which means organizations keep the full donation amount. Most other platforms charge payment processing around 2.9% + $0.30 per donation, even if they advertise “no platform fee” or “free”.
    -> Register to switch to Zeffy for 100% free fundraising, in just minutes.

    Zeffy is the only free fundraising site for nonprofits. Some other platforms can also become free if donors choose to cover fees through optional tips, but the guarantee of no charges is not there in the same way. Without tips, standard processing fees usually apply and take a percentage out of donation totals.

    GoFundMe is usually the best fundraising site for individuals. It’s easy to launch, widely trusted, and familiar to donors, which can make people more comfortable giving. You’ll still pay standard payment processing fees, but the simplicity and recognition often make it the easiest option for personal campaigns.

    Zeffy is the only GoFundMe alternative with no fees, ever. You’ll get a simple donation page similar to GoFundMe, but designed to keep more of each donation going to your cause. There are other GoFundMe alternatives you can also explore for a lower cost, but fees generally still exist.

    Zeffy takes the lowest cut of donations, because it takes none at all. After that, platforms like Fundrazr and SignUpGenius Donations can be low-cost options, depending on whether donors cover fees or not.
    -> Guarantee no fees are taken from your donations with Zeffy’s 100% free model.

    Yes, Zeffy does not charge nonprofits a single fee and will never introduce any additional costs for features, organization growth, or payment processing. That’s possible because we ask donors if they’d like to leave a voluntary tip to support the platform, but never require it. We found that two-thirds of donors will contribute to help Zeffy continue to be free, and that cost is never put on nonprofits, even if their donors opt out.

    Zeffy is an ideal fundraising site for small nonprofits looking to keep costs at zero and set up campaigns quickly. It’s simple to start with any budget and team size, while offering features and functionality like events, memberships, e-commerce, and peer-to-peer fundraising to help you grow and engage donors in new ways.
    Zeffy is also committed to supporting small nonprofits with additional benefits like a grant finder for personalized funding options in a few clicks, and a registered nonprofit directory to help more donors find your campaigns.

    Written by
    François de Kerret
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