Best Free Fundraising Platforms for Nonprofits in 2024

Online fundraising software is packed with event and donor engagement tools, accepting gifts, and more. With so many options, knowing which is right for your organization can be hard. 

Plus, many platforms claim to be free — but aren’t. This guide will cover the top free fundraising platforms, including features, pros and cons, and what “free” means. 

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A look ahead at the top 10 best free online fundraising platforms for nonprofits

• ‍Zeffy

• Facebook

• Givebutter

• Donorperfect

• Donorbox

• GoFundMe

• Give Lively

• PayPal

• RallyUp

• Raisely

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10 free platforms for fundraising efforts at a glance

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Which fees should be considered when choosing fundraising software?

Lots of fundraising platforms often have hidden costs. 

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They typically include 

• Platform fees

• Setup fees

• Fees per user

• Fees per feature

• Support fees

• Monthly fees

• Payout fees

• Transactions/processing fees

• Fee for donors

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1. Zeffy: Best 100% free platform for small and mid-sized nonprofits

Zeffy is the best free fundraising platform for nonprofits. With all the tools necessary for creating the most impact possible — from donor data that simplifies donor management to custom donation pages to meet your fundraising goals— Zeffy does it all and doesn’t charge your nonprofit a cent for fundraising efforts.

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Is it really free? 

Unlike other fundraising software that claim to be free — but have hidden costs like processing and platform fees — Zeffy doesn't ever charge fees.

Nonprofits paid $3 billion in transaction fees last year. Zeffy is ending this with zero fees. 

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Key features to raise money

• Custom pages: Personalize donation pages to match your nonprofit’s branding.

• Peer-to-peer campaigns: Expand your reach with supporter-led fundraisers and an intuitive interface to resonate with the right donors.

• Donor management: Track and nurture donor relationships effortlessly with detailed information.

• Raffle tools: Boost engagement with easy-to-manage raffles.

• Tap-to-pay: Raise funds with in-person donations through a quick tap.

• E-commerce features: Sell products online to raise more funds.

• Membership tools: Simplify managing member sign-ups and renewals.

• Flexible payments: Accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other methods.

• Event registration: Combine ticket sales and donations seamlessly.

• Quick donations: Allow donors to give in just a few clicks.

• Unlimited support: Access help whenever you need it.

• Top security: Keep donor data safe with advanced protections.

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Feature spotlight: Fundraising thermometers

Zeffy’s free fundraising thermometer is a valuable tool for nonprofits, automatically tracking progress toward goals with real-time updates that engage donors. Customizable with logos, images, and videos, it aligns with your campaign’s branding to build trust and inspire generosity. Features like contributor leaderboards foster friendly competition and community, boosting participation while visually showcasing your progress.

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Pro

100% free

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Con

Only available for registered nonprofits in the US and Canada 

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Zeffy’s testimonial

“Zeffy made ticketing for our events extremely easy. Not only were we not charged ridiculous ticket fees, we actually collected more money because you can ask for donations on top of the ticket price. The year before, I used another ticketing site and it was a giant mess. Zeffy took the guesswork out and was FREE!” — Besty, Executive Director (USA)

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2. Facebook: Best free fundraising site for social media fundraising 

Often, nonprofits use Facebook to launch peer-to-peer fundraisers like birthday fundraisers, which allow supporters to create personal fundraising pages for the cause and collect donations instead of traditional birthday gifts.

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Is it really free? 

Setting up a Facebook account and starting a fundraiser is free. However, donations include a payment processing fee of 1.99% + $0.49.

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Pros

• Extends reach

• Easy to use 

• Free to set up 

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Cons

• Facebook doesn't always have public trust

• It doesn’t offer robust, nonprofit-specific tools

• Does not collect donor info

3. Givebutter: Best free fundraising platform for social fundraising 

Givebutter is highly customizable and great for fundraising initiatives like P2P campaigns.

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Is it really free?  

While Givebutter doesn't charge platform fees or any monthly or subscription fees, they charge up to 2.9% + $0.30 in processing fees.

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Pros

• User-friendly interface

• Great customer service

• Peer-to-peer gamification tools 

• Donor management

• Live, hybrid, and in-person fundraising event 

• Auctions

• Custom donation page creation

• Simplified donation process

• Donors can cover fees

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Cons

• Processing fees

• Learning curve for more advanced features

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4. Donorperfect: Best free fundraising platform for donor management 

DonorPerfect offers some high-tech tools for capturing donor data so nonprofits can collect more donations, and connect with donors seamlessly — all in one place. 

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Is it really free? 

Unfortunately, DonorPerfect isn’t free. To use the platform, nonprofits must request a custom quote starting at $99/month. Plus, the platform charges up to 3% in processing fees.

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Pros:

• Advanced data import

• Highly rated security

• Reporting and analytics 

• Donor filtering and segmentation

• Donation forms

• Online fundraising events

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Cons

• Not user-friendly

• Pricing

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5. Donorbox: Best free fundraising site for recurring donations

Built best for nonprofits seeking recurring donations, Donorbox is sleek, modern, and fit for any growing organization.

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Is it really free? 

Donorbox does offer a free plan. But, it comes with limited features. For more features, nonprofits should expect to pay up to $139+/month, plus a 1.5% platform fee, up to 2.2% + 0.49 in processing fees, and additional per-user fees.

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Pros

• Self-managed recurring donations

• Custom donation forms

• Third-party integrations

• Donor data/activity notifications

• Flexible payment methods 

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Cons

• Poor customer support

• Additional monthly fees for add-ons

• Difficult set up

• Pricing

• Interface 

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6. GoFundMe: Best free fundraising site for crowdfunding 

Established in 2010, GoFundMe has become a popular platform for connecting people with the resources they need to overcome financial challenges, pursue dreams, or support important causes.

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Is it really free? 

While launching a fundraiser is free, donations are subject to transaction fees of up to 2.9% + $0.30. 

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Pros:

• Global audience 

• Social media integration

• User-friendly interface 

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Cons

• Payment processing time

• Customization

• Limited customer support

• Transaction fees

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7. Give Lively: Best free fundraising site for digital fundraising 

Established with a mission to provide accessible and cutting-edge fundraising solutions, Give Lively empowers nonprofits to raise money efficiently and engage with their communities.

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Is it really free? 

Give Lively does charge fees. However, users should expect transaction fees of up to 3.5% + $5 from third-party payment processors.

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Pros

• Unlimited campaign pages

• Donation widgets

• Custom thank your receipts

• Accepts multiple payment methods

• Text to donate

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Con

Nonprofits must apply for membership

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8. PayPal: Best free fundraising site for mobile-friendly donations

While not a dedicated fundraising site like some platforms, PayPal's versatility makes it a popular choice for individuals and organizations seeking a secure and efficient way to collect donations.

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Is it really free? 

Paypal is free to use. However, the platform charges 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction for eligible charities only.

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Pros:

• Easy navigation

• Embedded PayPal button

• Integrations with lots of third-party software 

• Nonprofit-friendly tools

• Mobile friendly 

• Recurring donations

Cons

• Can handle fewer currencies than Stripe

• No customization

• No fundraising features or donor management

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9. RallyUp: Best free fundraising site for events 

With a focus on user-friendly features and community engagement, RallyUp provides a versatile space for various fundraising initiatives.

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Is it really free? 

RallyUp has many free features available to nonprofits, but premium features come with a price — $99/month. RallyUp charges a 7.5% platform fee, which donors can cover. 

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Pros

• Events and ticketing

• Auction management

• Live streaming tools

• Raffles

• Sweepstakes

• Donors can cover fees

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Cons

• Limited free plan

• Premium features cost extra

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10. Raisely: Best free fundraising site for peer-to-peer fundraising 

With a focus on simplicity and innovation, Raisely provides a platform where fundraisers can easily connect with their audience and drive positive change.

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Is it really free? 

Raisely offers a free plan for organizations making under $120k/year. For organizations that bring in more revenue, pricing starts at $99/month. Raisley also charges a 3.5% platform fee and standard processing fees, which donors can cover.

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Pros:

• Social sharing tools

• QR code generator

• Custom campaign pages

• Segmented messaging

• Gamification tools

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Cons:

• Limited free pan
  

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How Outreach 360 avoided $6,000 in fees by switching to Zeffy

After a global crisis forced them to move all operations online, Outreach360 — an organization dedicated to bringing language skills and financial independence to hundreds of students across Latin America — found Zeffy.

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Making the switch

“We were trying to see what kind of alternatives there are to cut costs in a time where we want to survive and thrive as opposed to going under…we needed a way to cut costs but maintain quality.”

To date, Outreach360 has been able to save 6,000 dollars by switching to Zeffy. 

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Lean on the best free fundraising tools

Zeffy’s only source of income is from optional contributions from donors.

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Here’s how it works

When someone donates your fundraising form, they have the option (but are never obliged) to give to Zeffy. Not everyone gives every time, and that's okay. Enough donors leave a contribution to cover overhead AND the fees of the thousands of nonprofits that fundraise on Zeffy.

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