GoFundMe Alternatives
GoFundMe is a well-known crowdfunding tool, where anyone can use the platform to raise funds for just about anything, from medical expenses to school fees to supporting a charity. But if you want to start a crowdfunding campaign, are there any credible alternatives to GoFundMe?
When looking for the best GoFundMe alternatives, it’s essential to consider factors like platform fees, fundraising tools, and the specific needs of your fundraising campaign.
Whether you’re a nonprofit organization seeking to raise more money or an individual looking for personal fundraising solutions, there are several top crowdfunding platforms that offer competitive features and pricing.
Our 7 Best Alternatives to GoFundMe
1. Tiing
Tiing is a solid, low-cost alternative to GoFundMe, with one of the lowest fees on the market:
- 1 $ per entry
- + 4% commission
Tiing offers a money pool solution to simplify group money collection, making it an excellent choice for those seeking zero fee or low-cost crowdfunding options.
Tiing has been around since 2019 and offers all types of online money pools: from classic fundraising, to money pool services for weddings, group gifts, baby showers, Â and more! This fundraising platform is particularly popular for community events and personal fundraising campaigns where processing fees need to be minimized.
2. Donorbox
Donorbox is an easy-to-use, inexpensive yet incredibly effective fundraising platform. In less than 15 minutes, your fully personalized campaign should be up and running!
This crowdfunding solution is ideal for nonprofit organizations looking to raise funds efficiently. The platform offers recurring donation options and features designed specifically for charitable fundraising.
Donorbox, based in San Francisco, California, was born in 2014. It offers an online fundraising platform, providing individuals and nonprofit organizations with a practical solution for collecting donations over the Internet. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface and competitive pricing details.
3. Fundly
Fundly is an alternative to GoFundMe, designed specifically for online fundraising. It enables various entities such as nonprofits, charities, political movements, clubs, schools, sports teams, churches and other causes to raise money over the Internet from their network, including friends, family, colleagues, donors and other supporters. All thanks to tools such as:
- emails,
- Facebook,
- Twitter,
- LinkedIn,
- Google…
With Fundly, you can create a visual, mobile-optimized page with blog-style updates and commenting capabilities. This crowdfunding platform offers excellent social media integration to help raise more money through successful campaigns
Fundly takes social proof seriously, with Facebook integration that lets you automatically broadcast campaign activities making it easier to reach your fundraising goal.
4. FundRazr
FundRazr, founded in 2009, is an online fundraising platform that offers its services free of charge. It operates on a global scale, present in over 35 countries, with a notable presence in major markets such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
FundRazr is a crowdfunding alternative to GoFundMe for nonprofit organizations as well as individuals, sports teams, school projects and more.
This fundraising site offers well-designed fundraising pages that you can set up in minutes, allowing you to add photos, videos, and more to engage donors.
The platform provides wide range of fundraising tools and competitive transaction fees for those looking to raise funds effectively.
5. Snowball
Looking for a way to “snowball” your crowdfunding fundraising efforts? Snowball is a great option!
Snowball offers a fundraising solution adapted to mobile devices, enabling nonprofits to receive donations via text messages, interactive campaigns, attractive donation pages and captivating auctions. With Snowball, organizations can easily manage donor and donation information.
Snowball gives you the opportunity to raise funds with several types of fundraising campaigns at once, making it one of the best crowdfunding sites for nonprofit organizations.
6. Givebutter
With the Givebutter fundraising platform, you can collect donations, sell tickets, organize peer-to-peer campaigns and manage events from a single location.
Nonprofits use Givebutter to bundle different categories of tools, including donation forms, fundraising campaigns, events, auctions, donor management (CRM), emails, text messages, and much more, all for free, thanks to a fully 100% transparent tip or fee model.
What’s more, Givebutter offers a host of online fundraising features that can be used to engage donors and increase donations. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking no platform fee solutions.
7. CauseVox
CauseVox is an online fundraising platform that lets you create customized campaign pages, donation forms, team fundraising pages and more. What’s more, CauseVox makes it easy to integrate your fundraising efforts into your existing website.
Each of these crowdfunding platforms offers unique options for nonprofit organizations seeking to raise funds online. It’s advisable to explore each option carefully to determine which will best suit your organization’s specific needs.
What are the disadvantages of GoFundMe?
Firstly, GoFundMe charges a fee for each donation received, which means that each donation made is subtracted from a certain percentage. These platform fees can quickly add up and reduce the amount of money you can actually use for your cause. These fees can quickly add up and reduce the amount of money you can actually use for your cause. What’s more, GoFundMe doesn’t offer advanced personalization options for your campaigns, which can limit your opportunities to tell your organization’s story in a creative and engaging way.
Secondly, GoFundMe doesn’t offer user support options as comprehensive as other platforms. Their help desk is rather limited and doesn’t offer live support. This can be a problem when you need help solving an urgent problem.
Finally, GoFundMe focuses primarily on individual donations, leaving little room for more elaborate fundraising strategies such as peer-to-peer campaigns or fundraising events.
How to choose the best alternative to GoFundMe for your nonprofit organization?
Choosing the best crowdfunding platform for your nonprofit organization can seem a daunting task, given the sheer number of options available. However, there are a few key criteria to consider that can help you make the best choice.
First, take a look at the fees associated with each platform. Some crowdfunding sites charge a fixed fee, while others take a percentage of each donation. It’s important to analyze these costs, including payment processing fees and transaction fees, to determine which option offers the best return on investment.
Next, consider each platform’s customization options. Can you customize your fundraising page to match your organization’s brand image? Can you add photos, videos and text to tell your story? A well-designed fundraising page can go a long way towards engaging potential donors.
And don’t neglect social features. The best crowdfunding platforms integrate social media sharing tools that enable your supporters to spread the word about your cause on their own networks. This can significantly increase the reach of your campaign and attract more donations.
Finally, consider the customer support offered by each platform. Good customer support can make a big difference, especially if you’re new to crowdfunding.
Key Considerations When Comparing Crowdfunding Sites
When you compare crowdfunding sites, consider these essential platform features:
đź’° Processing fees and transaction fees
đź’ł Payment processing options including credit card processing
🔄 Recurring donation capabilities
📱 Social media integration
👤 User experience and ease of setup
🎧 Customer support and resources
🛠️ Fundraising tools and campaign management features
đź’Ž Pricing transparency and optional fees
Whether you’re launching creative projects, organizing emergency fundraising, planning a memorial campaign, or running successful campaigns for your nonprofit, choosing the right platform with the appropriate platform features and competitive pricing is crucial for achieving your fundraising goal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best alternative to GoFundMe?
The best GoFundMe alternative depends on your specific needs. Tiing offers some of the lowest fees on the market, while Givebutter provides a zero fee model for nonprofits. Donorbox is excellent for nonprofit organizations, and Fundly offers strong social media integration.
Which crowdfunding platforms have no fees?
Givebutter operates on a 100% transparent tip model, making it essentially free crowdfunding for nonprofits. However, most platforms charge some form of processing fees or transaction fees. Tiing has very low fees at just $1 per entry plus 4% commission.
How do I choose the right crowdfunding platform?
When you choose crowdfunding platform, consider these factors:
– Platform fees and payment processing fees
– Fundraising tools and platform features
– User experience and ease of setup
– Social media integration capabilities
– Customer support and resources
– Your fundraising goal and campaign type
Are there crowdfunding sites specifically for nonprofits?
Yes, several fundraising sites cater specifically to nonprofit organizations:
– Donorbox – designed for nonprofits with recurring donation options
– Givebutter – offers comprehensive tools for nonprofit fundraising
– CauseVox – specializes in nonprofit campaign management
– Snowball – mobile-optimized for nonprofit text-based campaigns
What fees should I expect with crowdfunding platforms?
Most crowdfunding platforms charge:
– Platform fees (typically 0-5%)
– Payment processing fees (usually 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)
– Transaction fees for credit card processing
– Some platforms offer optional fees or tip-based models
Can I raise funds for personal causes on these platforms?
– Emergency medical expenses
– Education funding
– Memorial campaigns
– Community projects
– Family support and personal needs
How do I maximize my fundraising success?
To run successful campaigns:
– Set a realistic fundraising goal
– Use high-quality photos and videos
– Leverage social media sharing
– Provide regular updates to donors
– Engage with your community
– Thank donors promptly
– Share your story authentically
What’s the difference between rewards-based and donation-based crowdfunding?
– Donation-based crowdfunding (like most GoFundMe alternatives) focuses on charitable giving without expecting returns
– Rewards-based crowdfunding (like Kickstarter and Indiegogo) offers backers products or perks in exchange for funding creative projects or business ventures
How long does it take to withdraw funds?
Withdraw times vary by platform:
– Tiing: Typically 2-3 business days
– Donorbox: 2-7 business days
– Fundly: 2-5 business days
– Givebutter: 2-5 business days
Most platforms process payment transfers within a week of receiving donations.
Do I need to reach my goal to keep the money?
Most crowdfunding platforms use a “keep-it-all” model, meaning you can keep funds raised even if you don’t reach your goal. This differs from Kickstarter’s “all-or-nothing” approach where you must reach your target to receive any funds raised.
