If you’re looking to raise a significant amount of money for whatever reason, then online fundraisers are the way to go. Crowdfunding gives organizers an opportunity to raise small amounts of money from a large number of people. Fundera reports there were over 6.4 million crowdfunding campaigns in a single year and that $17.2 billion is generated through crowdfunding in North America alone. This money can be put towards charities, business endeavors, and other causes people might care enough about to put money towards.
There are plenty of online platforms that can help you fundraise money for almost free. With a quick online search, you’ll discover how easy it is to get started.
Here’s how you can raise money online with little to no fees.
Free Online Fundraising
To connect with donors that are willing to give money for your cause, you’ll have to sign up for a fundraising platform. There are many platforms to choose from that can facilitate safe and secure transactions from donor to organizer.
Each fundraising platform will come with its own set of features, fees, and signup charges. There are several fees you can be charged for when using an online fundraiser platform. This includes a:
- One-time, monthly, or annual subscription fee.
- Donor fee where the donor is charged a percentage.
- Platform fee taken from each donation made.
- Processor fee to handle transactions.
Most crowdfunding services will not be entirely free to use unless the money is being donated entirely to a charity. The good news is you can choose online fundraising platforms that charge less fees to help save you money. Taking the time to compare each platform will help you discover which one is the most cost effective option.
Best Fundraising Platforms
GoFundMe
The largest and most recognizable fundraising platform to sign up for is GofundMe. Over 10,000 users start a GoFundMe page everyday. Individuals, groups, and organizations can open an account to share their story, add images, and spread the word about their fundraiser on social media.
It costs no money to start a GoFundMe. Individuals will be charged a transaction fee per donation, which is deducted from the amount donated. There are more fundraisers started on GoFundMe than any other platform, making it a reliable and safe bet for first-time users.
Generosity Network
Those looking to create a fundraiser for themself, someone else, charity, or business can do so via the Generosity Network. This platform is done through PayPal. You can raise a maximum of $20,000 and run your campaign for up to 30 days.
Most people fundraising through the Generosity Network will be subject to charity or donation transaction rates. But if you create a fundraiser in support of a charity, 100 percent of the donations will go to the charity because PayPal will cover the transaction fees.
Givebutter
Anyone wanting to make a splash with their campaign on social media will love using Givebutter. This platform allows you to create a community with donors by adding a social feed onto your fundraising page. Users can send images, like, comment, and share posts related to your cause. You can also customize the page with Canva to tell your story with photos, video, a goal bar, and more.
Sign up free for Givebutter with no contract obligations and enjoy unlimited access with zero monthly costs. Plus, there are no unexpected hidden fees that will pop up. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a processing fee to cover digital transactions.
What better way to connect with potential donors than directly through social media? Facebook has its own fundraising feature that will make it easy to share your cause with friends, family, and beyond. The platform offers users little to no fees depending on what the money being raised is put towards.
Over $5 billion has been raised through Facebook so far. The company will cover all fees for donations being made to charitable organizations. When it comes to personal fundraisers, you will have to deduct fees for payment processing. The money, minus the fees, will then be directly deposited into your checking account when the fundraiser is over.
Compare Fundraising Platforms Online
Online crowdfunding can be helpful for individuals, businesses, charities, and more to receive money towards their cause. You can advertise your page to attract donors and share your page on social media to spread the word. It’s one of the best ways to receive small amounts of money from a large number of people.
To get started, choose a fundraising platform. Make sure to look into the special features offered that will help you decide if it can best help your fundraising goals. Opt for a platform that is free to sign up for, and carries little to no fees.
