Best Fundraising Platforms in 2024

Fundraising platforms have revolutionized the way nonprofits raise funds. By providing a digital avenue to collect donations, these online giving platforms simplify the process for both organizations and donors. They offer a range of tools that make online fundraising accessible, efficient, and effective.

In this article, we'll examine the best fundraising platforms to streamline your fundraising efforts! Our guide explores six of the best virtual fundraising platforms, complete with key features, pricing models, and success stories! With just a few clicks, donors can contribute to causes they care about from anywhere in the world. This shift has enabled nonprofits to reach a broader audience and grow their causes.

As a registered non-profit, Bold.org is dedicated to reducing student debt and enabling more students to go into higher education. Apply as a donor today and help a promising student get the education they deserve!

Key Benefits of Using Fundraising Platforms as Fundraising Tools

Fundraising platforms offer a multitude of key benefits that make them indispensable fundraising tools in the modern age. Here are some of those benefits!

• Wider Audience Reach: Engage donors globally, not just within local networks.
• User-Friendly Interfaces: Simplify the online donation process through intuitive fundraising pages, making it more convenient for contributors.
• Integrated Payment Systems: Streamline online donations with seamless, secure transactions.
• Social Media Integration: Enhance campaign promotion through social media channels.
• Campaign Tracking: Monitor progress in real-time, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Analytics and Insights: Gain valuable data on donor behavior and preferences for strategic decision-making.
• Targeted Marketing: Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of fundraising campaigns through data-driven approaches.

The emergence of these online fundraising platforms represents a significant change in how organizations approach fundraising, making it easier than ever to support meaningful causes. Now, without further ado, let's get into the best fundraising platforms!

Looking for other ways to raise money for your organization? Check out our blog on key fundraising strategies for nonprofits!

Best Fundraising Platforms

1. Givebutter

Givebutter is a versatile fundraising platform designed to cater to the diverse needs of nonprofit organizations. Known for its innovative features and user-friendly interface, Givebutter makes it easy for nonprofits to run effective campaigns, engage donors, and raise more funds.

Pricing Model:

• Platform Fee: $0
• Transaction Fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per donation

Givebutter also offers a unique option for donors to cover the transaction fees, ensuring that nonprofits can maximize the funds they receive.

Key Features:

• Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Empower supporters to create their own fundraising pages, helping to expand your reach and attract more donors.
• In-Person, Hybrid & Online Fundraising: Integrate in-person, online, or hybrid features into your fundraising campaign to maximize fundraising revenues and reach more donors.
• Text-to-Donate: Simplify the donation process with text-to-donate functionality, making it easy for donors to contribute via their mobile devices.
• Auction Software: Utilize GiveButter's seamless auction platform to create exciting and intuitive bidding experiences for donors.
• Donor Management: Use built-in CRM tools to track donor information, manage relationships, and streamline communications.

Success Story:

L-CMD Research Foundation

After her son was diagnosed with the fatal disease, L-CMD, Hannah created the L-CMD Research Foundation to raise funds for a gene therapy project that could save the life of her son and the lives of other children in similar situations. They owe their $854,000 fundraising revenue to Givebutter's user-friendly interface, robust reporting, and especially the platform's peer-to-peer fundraising features.

"We researched a lot of different platforms to use and we got to know Givebutter and we really liked all the features and the ability to do the peer-to-peer fundraising and events and everything. It just seems so user friendly." - Hannah Lowe Corman, President & Co-Founder

By choosing Givebutter, nonprofits can take advantage of modern fundraising tools and strategies, ensuring that their campaigns are not only effective but also engaging and enjoyable for donors.

2. Donorbox

Donorbox is a versatile online fundraising platform, designed specifically for nonprofits. It aims to make the online donation process simple and maximize donor engagement.

Key Features and Benefits

Donorbox offers several fundraising tools that make it extraordinarily impactful in nonprofit fundraising:

1. Easy Integration: Seamlessly integrates with websites, allowing nonprofits to embed donation forms directly onto their site. This ensures donors can contribute without leaving the organization's webpage.
2. Customizable Donation Forms: Offers fully customizable forms that match the nonprofit's branding, enhancing the overall user experience. Custom fields can be added to gather specific information from donors.
3. Recurring Donations: Facilitates one-time and recurring donations, aiding in building a steady stream of support. Donors can choose to give weekly, monthly, or at custom intervals.
4. Multiple Payment Options: Supports various payment methods including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, making it convenient for donors to contribute using their preferred method.
5. Donor Management: Comprehensive donor management software system helps organizations keep track of donor information and communication history. This feature is pivotal for building long-term relationships.
6. Fundraising Thermometers: Visual online fundraising tools like fundraising thermometers can be added to donation pages to show progress towards goals, which can motivate donors to help reach milestones.

Success Stories:

Maya's Hope

This nonprofit provides support for vulnerable communities in the UK. In 2022, The Salvation Army UK partnered with Fundraise Up, implementing advanced donation tools. By May 2022, they had raised over $1.2 million, with $150,000 coming from recurring donations facilitated by Fundraise Up's user-friendly platform.

1018 Uganda

This education charity focuses primarily on educating and empowering teen moms and girls in Uganda. Thanks to Donorbox's varied features, which include being able to publish webinars through the online fundraising platform, they've increased their donations by 70% and have been able to start a clinic and daycare with those donations.

Donorbox proves itself as an essential virtual fundraising platform in the nonprofit sector by offering flexibility, ease of use, and powerful features that cater specifically to the needs of charitable organizations.

Like Donorbox, we're dedicated to making the donation process simple. Find out how you can fulfill a student's academic dreams with our easy guide to how a scholarship fund works.

3. Fundraise Up

Fundraise Up is an innovative fundraising platform designed specifically for nonprofit organizations. It leverages advanced technology to optimize the online donation process, enhancing donor engagement and maximizing contributions. Fundraise Up’s robust features and intuitive design make it an excellent choice for nonprofits aiming to elevate their fundraising efforts.

Pricing Model:

• Platform Fee: Custom pricing based on organization size and needs
• Transaction Fee: 4% per donation

The average organization pays only 0.5% in transaction fees because donors have the option to cover the fees themselves, encouraging donor generosity and maximizing your fundraising profits.

Key Features:

• AI-Powered Donation Forms: Fundraise Up uses artificial intelligence to create dynamic donation forms that adjust based on user behavior, optimizing conversion rates.
• Recurring Donations: Encourage sustained support through options for recurring donations, ensuring a steady stream of funding.
• Mobile Optimization: The platform is fully optimized for mobile devices, allowing donors to contribute easily from their smartphones or tablets.
• Customizable Branding: Tailor donation forms to match your organization’s branding, providing a seamless experience for donors.
• Comprehensive Analytics: Gain insights into donor behavior and campaign performance with advanced analytics tools, helping to refine strategies and improve results.

Success Story:

Salvation Army UK

In 2022, The Salvation Army UK, a nonprofit supporting vulnerable communities, partnered with Fundraise Up, implementing advanced donation tools. By May 2022, they had raised over $1.2 million, with $150,000 coming from recurring donations facilitated by Fundraise Up's user-friendly platform.

"Fundraise Up really benefits our mission because we can raise more money and that enables us to do more projects in the UK." - Emily Casson, Digital Marketing and Fundraising Manager

At Bold.org, you get full control over your donor platform and the selection process for the scholarship winner. Find out more about award features which makes the process carefree for you and the students!

4. OneCause

OneCause is a comprehensive online fundraising platform designed specifically for event management. It goes beyond just collecting donations; it focuses on creating unforgettable fundraising experiences that inspire people to get involved and give generously. If your organization has a strong focus on fundraising events, OneCause may be the perfect fit!

Why Choose OneCause?

1. Mobile Bidding: Transform any event into an interactive experience with mobile bidding. Attendees can place and track their bids in real time using their smartphones. This method of online donation can be more engaging for many donors.
2. Silent Auctions Made Easy: Simplify the management of silent auctions with auction software features that streamline item tracking, bid sheets, and checkout processes.
3. End-to-End Event Management: From selling tickets on event pages to running live auctions, OneCause takes care of every aspect of event planning, making it easier for nonprofits to stay focused on their mission.

Success Story:

Children's Heart Foundation

The Children's Heart Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research for congenital heart defects in children. They recently used OneCause for their annual gala, and the results were outstanding.

"OneCause made our auction process so much smoother. We didn't have to worry about managing paper bid sheets or long checkout lines. Everything was digital and efficient." - Event Organizer, Children's Heart Foundation

The outcome? The Children's Heart Foundation exceeded its fundraising goals and doubled its expected revenue from the gala event. This was only made possible by OneCause's mobile bidding and virtual event registration capabilities.

We are committed to making sure 100% of your donation goes towards the student's education. That's why Bold.org is completely free for both students and donors! Check out our pricing page for more information.

5. DonorPerfect

DonorPerfect is a robust fundraising platform tailored to meet the complex needs of nonprofit organizations. With its extensive range of features and customizable options, DonorPerfect helps nonprofits manage their fundraising efforts, streamline donor communications, and achieve their mission.

Pricing Model:

• Platform Fee: Custom pricing based on organization size and needs
• Transaction Fee: Varies based on payment processor

A flexible pricing structure including three different options: Core, Plus, and Pro allows nonprofits of all sizes to choose a plan that fits their budget and needs.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Donor Management: Track and manage donor information, including giving history, contact details, and communication preferences, with an intuitive CRM system.
• Customizable Reports and Dashboards: Generate detailed reports and visualize data with customizable dashboards, providing insights into fundraising performance and donor engagement.
• Automated Fundraising Processes: Streamline your workflow with automated processes for gift entry, acknowledgments, and receipts, saving time and reducing administrative burden.
• Online Donation Forms: Create branded, mobile-friendly donation forms that integrate seamlessly with your website, making it easy for supporters to contribute online.
• Event Management: Plan and manage fundraising events, from ticket sales and registrations to post-event follow-up, all within the DonorPerfect platform.

Success Story:

A Time to Heal Cancer Foundation (ATTH)

This nonprofit saw its donor retention rates increase by 50% with an increased ability to navigate the fundraising software, donor metrics, and the ability to train others to utilize the platform. The platform is structured in such a way that organizations can fundraise on their terms, something ATTH greatly appreciates in DonorPerfect.

"DonorPerfect makes everything so simple, so easy, wonderful layout and design." - Brenda Helget, Development Director

Choosing DonorPerfect equips nonprofits with powerful tools to manage donors, analyze performance, and optimize fundraising strategies, ensuring they can focus on their mission and maximize their impact.

If you want more insight into how we change students' lives, look no further than our scholarship page, where we offer thousands of scholarships for students of all backgrounds and passions!

6. Fundly

Fundly is a user-friendly crowdfunding platform designed for both individuals and nonprofits. It's easy to use, making it perfect for those who are new to online fundraising. This online fundraising platform allows individuals, nonprofits, and organizations to create compelling campaigns for various causes. Fundly is especially notable for its support for fundraising teams, enabling contributors to donate directly to a fundraising campaign or specific teams within it.

Key Features:

Here are some key features that make Fundly stand out:

1. Social Sharing Integrations: Fundly makes it easy to leverage social media for fundraising. You can easily share your campaigns on different platforms, allowing your supporters to spread the word and attract more donations.
2. Campaign Analytics: With Fundly, you get access to insightful analytics. This helps you track your progress, understand donor behavior, and refine your strategies for better results. Donor data is essentially to soliciting more donations and continuing to engage a dedicated community of supporters.

Success Story:

SBA 5th Annual 5k

The St. Bartholomew Academy's SBA 5th Annual 5K campaign aimed to support the school through sponsorships for their annual run/walk event. With an initial goal of $2,000, they exceeded expectations by raising $5,935, more than double the donation goal.

Three key elements contributed to this success: the inclusion of fundraising teams, a concise campaign description emphasizing small contributions and the impact of every donation, and references to the previous year's successful event. These strategies, enabled by Fundly's fundraising tools, effectively engaged donors and highlighted the campaign's impact.

To extend your giving impact, delve into an innovative method of philanthropy through our guide on donor-advised funds!

Honorable Mention: Bold.org

Bold.org is a groundbreaking platform dedicated to transforming education philanthropy by connecting students with donors passionate about supporting their academic journeys. With its innovative approach and focus on impact, Bold.org creates opportunities for students to achieve their educational dreams while empowering donors to make a meaningful difference.

Pricing Model:

• Platform Fee: $0 for both students and donors
• Transaction Fee: None

Bold.org operates on a zero-fee model, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly towards funding scholarships for students. Funds raised on this platform are also exclusively used towards scholarships and cannot be redistributed to fund operations or other campaigns.

Key Features:

• Scholarship Opportunities: Access a wide range of scholarship opportunities tailored to different backgrounds, interests, and academic pursuits, providing students with financial support for their education.
• Transparent Selection Process: Gain insight into the scholarship selection process, including criteria, deadlines, and eligibility requirements, ensuring transparency and fairness.
• Award Features: Customize scholarship awards with specific criteria and requirements, such as GPA, field of study, and extracurricular achievements, allowing donors to align their contributions with their values and interests.
• User-Friendly Platform: Navigate an intuitive and user-friendly platform that makes it easy for both students and donors to search for scholarships, submit applications, and track progress.
• Diverse Scholarship Opportunities: Explore scholarships from a diverse range of donors, including individuals, organizations, and companies, offering a variety of funding options for students.

Success Stories:

Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Fund

In honor of his friend, Chris Jackson, Stephen Rose decided to start a fundraising page on GoFundMe. However this platform didn't serve their purpose because of the inability to capitalize upon corporate matching and tax deductions.

With the help of Bold.org's functionality and openness to feedback, Stephen Rose was able to turn the fundraising disaster around. Currently, he has funded over 10k in scholarships and has raised more than 70k in total.

"They are open to feedback and continue to add features and functionality that helps us to make the most of the donations we receive every month." - Stephen Rose, Fund Manager

Bold.org offers a powerful and versatile platform for those looking to make a lasting impact. By creating scholarship funds and leveraging Bold.org's features, you can attract donors, engage supporters, and drive meaningful change in the lives of students and communities.

If you have a particular inclination to be generous toward academic causes, check out our blog on fundraising platforms for scholarships!

How to Choose the Right Fundraising Platform for Your Nonprofit

When you compare the top online fundraising platforms for nonprofits, several key factors should guide your decision to ensure the best fit for your nonprofit’s unique needs and goals:

1. Ease of Use

A user-friendly interface is crucial. Fundraising sites like Donorbox shine here with their intuitive setup and seamless integration with existing websites.

2. Customization Options

Your organization might need customizable donation forms, fundraising pages, or branding options. Platforms like GoFundMe allow extensive customization to match your nonprofit’s identity.

3. Fees and Pricing Models

Understanding the cost structure is vital. While some platforms offer free basic services, others may charge platform fees per transaction or monthly subscriptions. For instance, many platforms highlight its no-platform-fee model but have payment processing fees. Bold.org, on the other hand, has no hidden fees.

4. Features and Tools

Different platforms offer various fundraising features that can enhance your own fundraising campaign efforts. Here's an online fundraising platform overview of all the fundraising platforms discussed and their key features.

• Givebutter: Known for its user-friendly interface and seamless social sharing, Givebutter also provides transparent fundraising tracking to monitor progress in real-time.
• Donorbox: Specializes in customizable donation forms, recurring donations, and robust donor management tools for personalized engagement and retention strategies.
• Fundraise Up: Specializes in advanced donation tools, AI-driven prompts, and seamless payment integrations for enhanced donor engagement and retention strategies.
• OneCause: Focuses on mobile bidding and silent auctions for fundraising events, providing interactive and competitive experiences for participants.
• Fundraise Up: Specializes in advanced donation tools, AI-driven prompts, and seamless payment integrations for enhanced donor engagement and retention strategies.
• Fundly: Stands out with robust social sharing integrations, comprehensive campaign analytics, and tools for donor engagement and retention strategies.

5. Support and Resources

Look for platforms that provide robust support, whether through a customer support team, service, or educational resources. This can be a game-changer as you navigate your fundraising campaigns.

6. Success Stories

Real-world examples of successful crowdfunding campaigns can offer insight into a platform’s effectiveness. Reviewing case studies from nonprofits similar to yours can be incredibly informative. Most online fundraising platforms have a success story page on their website that you can check out.

Choosing the best donation platform also involves evaluating these factors against your nonprofit's specific needs, ensuring you select a tool that maximizes your fundraising potential.

For all things education and donation-related, browse through our scholarship blog, curated for students and donors alike by our amazing writing team!