What is a Fundraising Platform?
A fundraising platform is a digital solution that helps nonprofits raise money and manage donations. Traditionally, nonprofits might collect checks, set up PayPal links, or run events in person. A fundraising platform takes this online and professionalizes it. Donors can make gifts through clean forms, nonprofits can track contributions automatically, and recurring donations can be managed without a paper trail. The right nonprofit payment systems keeps donations secure, minimizes fees, and delivers funds efficiently.
What sets modern systems apart is their flexibility. A strong platform supports multiple payment methods, integrates with email or CRM tools, and often includes extras like text-to-give, ticketing, and peer-to-peer campaigns where supporters raise money themselves. Some platforms even use fundraising AI to analyze donor behavior and suggest optimized campaigns. For small nonprofits, the main benefits are saved time, reliable data, and a smoother donor experience that encourages repeat giving. The platforms we review here vary in price and complexity, but all help small organizations take fundraising to the next level.
The 10 Best Fundraising Platforms
1. Donorbox
Platform Overview
Donorbox is one of the best fundraising platforms for nonprofits because it’s simple to start but grows with you. Over 80,000 organizations from grassroots charities to universities use Donorbox to manage donations online. For small teams, the appeal is in the combination of quick setup, modern design, and a wide feature set.
Key Features
- Nonprofits can set options for weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual giving with customizable amounts. This helps build predictable income streams.
- Beyond credit cards, Donorbox supports PayPal, ACH, Google Pay, Apple Pay, crypto, and even stock donations. Donors can give in the way most convenient to them.
- Clean, mobile-optimized forms can be embedded onto your existing website or hosted on Donorbox pages customized with logos and colors.
- Text-to-give campaigns for churches or events, peer-to-peer fundraising for marathons or giving days, donor management tools, and integrated ticket sales.
- Works seamlessly with Salesforce, Mailchimp, Zapier, QuickBooks, HubSpot, and more, ideal for connecting donations to your broader operations.
- At-a-glance dashboards show recurring donation growth, campaign performance, and donor history.
Best For
Small and mid-sized nonprofits that need simplicity today but expect to expand. For example, a food pantry might start with a basic donation page, then add recurring giving to build monthly income, and later experiment with a peer-to-peer campaign for an annual fundraising drive.
Pricing & Support
Donorbox charges a 1.5% platform fee plus payment processor fees (2.9% + 30¢ for cards, less for ACH). The free starter plan means nonprofits can test without risk. Users often praise the quick support team, noting issues are usually solved in hours, not days. For small nonprofits with no IT staff, that reliability can save fundraising campaigns.
2. DoJiggy
Platform Overview
DoJiggy has helped nonprofits raise millions of dollars by simplifying online fundraising and event management for organizations of all sizes.
The platform is best known for its all-in-one fundraising tools, which include online auctions, peer-to-peer fundraising, event ticketing, raffles, donations, and crowdfunding — all designed to work together seamlessly.
Key Features
- Online auction software with mobile bidding, item management, automated invoicing, and bidder notifications.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising tools that empower supporters to create personal fundraising pages and share campaigns with their networks.
- Event ticketing and registration with customizable forms, add-on donations, and attendee management.
- Raffle fundraising tools that make it easy to sell tickets online and boost participation.
- Crowdfunding and donation pages with customizable branding and clear calls to action.
- Integrated reporting and donor management to track performance, donor activity, and campaign results in one place.
Best fundraising platform for:
Online auctions, peer-to-peer fundraising, events, raffles, and donation-based campaigns.
Pricing
DoJiggy has no startup fees or monthly costs. With the Free pricing model, fundraising features are free to use when optional donor tipping is enabled. Alternatively, you can choose to cover platform fees 4.9% - 6.9% per transaction, or ask supporters to cover these costs. Note that standard Stripe and PayPal payment processing fees are excluded.
3. Funraise
Platform Overview
Funraise is a modern, all-in-one fundraising platform designed to help nonprofits raise funds online, manage donor relationships, and run campaigns without stitching together multiple systems. Built specifically for nonprofits, Funraise combines customizable donation pages, peer-to-peer fundraising, built-in donor CRM and reporting tools into a single interface that grows with your organization. It also includes marketing integrations and flexible payment options to meet the needs of small and mid-sized teams.
Key Features
- Branded donation forms, pop-up giving widgets, and customizable campaign pages optimized for conversion.
- Built-in nonprofit CRM for storing donor profiles, tracking engagement history, and segmenting supporters.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising sites that empower volunteers and supporters to raise on your behalf.
- Recurring giving, event ticketing, and automated communication workflows (receipts, thank-yous, reminders).
- Integrations with popular tools such as Mailchimp, HubSpot, QuickBooks, Salesforce, and more through native connections or Zapier.
- Support for multiple payment methods (card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo etc.) with flexible fee coverage by donors.
Best For
Small and mid-sized nonprofits that want both fundraising infrastructure and CRM in a single platform. For example, a community arts nonprofit can deploy branded donation forms, manage recurring gifts, segment donors for targeted outreach, and launch a peer-to-peer event - all without jumping between tools.
Pricing & Support
Funraise offers tiered plans that scale with features, including a free tier with basic donation tools and paid plans for advanced capabilities like peer-to-peer, text-to-give, and richer integrations. Pricing is typically custom based on organization size. Many nonprofits appreciate Funraise’s responsive support and robust reporting tools that help them grow fundraising without needing a dedicated IT team.
4. Givebutter
Platform Overview
Givebutter markets itself as an “all-in-one, free platform.” While not literally free (transaction fees still apply), it has no monthly subscription, making it accessible to even one-person nonprofits. Its youthful aesthetics appeal to community groups, school projects, and grassroots organizations that rely heavily on sharing.
Key Features
- Dynamic campaign pages with storytelling features like photos and video embeds.
- Peer-to-peer functionality lets supporters create their own mini-campaigns under the nonprofit umbrella.
- Event ticketing that ties into campaigns.
- Livestream fundraising, which surged in popularity during the pandemic and still works well for virtual community events.
Best For
Community-driven nonprofits. Think high school sports teams fundraising for trips, small environmental groups running campaigns among volunteers, or grassroots health organizations.
Pricing & Support
No monthly charges. Donations are subject to 2.9% + 30¢ fees. Donors can choose to “tip” Givebutter to cover costs, which often means nonprofits keep more. Support is email-based with a help hub, and the intuitive design means most users get by without extensive training.
5. GoFundMe (formerly known as Classy)
Platform Overview
GoFundMe is geared toward larger campaign strategies. It’s popular among national nonprofits and those running high-profile events. For smaller nonprofits, GoFundMe can feel like more than they need, but for teams with partnership fundraising or big campaigns, its professional polish is unmatched.
Key Features
- Branded, elegant campaign pages that drive higher donor confidence.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising, ideal for marathons or team challenges.
- Event ticketing and sponsorship packages.
- Advanced dashboards enabling deeper performance analysis.
Best For
Nonprofits running multi-site campaigns or seeking larger donations from a wide base. For example, a national animal rescue could use GoFundMe for sponsorships tied to an adoption campaign while also running peer-to-peer fundraising.
Pricing & Support
Pricing requires a custom quote and includes platform fees beyond processing. This makes GoFundMe a bigger commitment. But it provides dedicated account management, live training, and marketing resources, making it a true enterprise-level partner.
Platform Overview
Kindful is a hybrid of fundraising platform and CRM. Acquired by Bloomerang, it’s built for donor relationship development alongside digital giving campaigns.
Key Features
- Keeps a central database of donors with giving history, engagement, notes, and trends.
- Sends automated thank-you emails and reminders.
- Creates reports tailored to board meetings or grant applications.
- Donation pages connect directly to the database, cutting down manual updating.
Best For
Nonprofits entering their growth stage. For a community arts nonprofit with hundreds of donors, Kindful helps segment communications, major donors get personalized outreach while smaller donors get automated nurturing.
Pricing & Support
Pricing begins mid-tier based on donor count. Support is strong, with onboarding, webinars, and dedicated staff. It takes longer to set up than Donorbox or Givebutter, but it delivers long-term benefits in relationship-building.
Platform Overview
GoFundMe Charity leverages the world’s most recognizable donation brand. The platform is straightforward and built for social sharing. Campaigns gain immediate trust because donors already know GoFundMe.
Key Features
- Campaign creation in minutes.
- Social-friendly pages that are easy for volunteers to spread.
- Secure, recognizable design for one-time drives.
Best For
Quick campaigns with community support. A small nonprofit raising money for disaster relief could launch overnight, with links circulating widely in local networks.
Pricing & Support
Transaction fees (2.9% + 30¢) apply, but no ongoing contracts. Support is mostly through articles and email. It’s less hands-on, but that fits for groups using it for one-off drives rather than long-term infrastructure.
8. Give Lively
Platform Overview
Give Lively is unique because it’s free for nonprofits. Funded entirely by philanthropists, the platform provides advanced fundraising tools at no platform cost, though you’ll still pay standard processing rates.
Key Features
- Text-to-donate keywords supporters can use instantly.
- Peer-to-peer campaigns and branded pages.
- Digital event ticketing with attendee management.
Best For
Small to mid-sized U.S. nonprofits looking for robust tools without the budget commitment. For instance, a community theater might use Give Lively for events, memberships, and supporter campaigns, all for free.
Pricing & Support
Free platform access for eligible nonprofits (U.S.-based 501(c)(3)). Processing fees (2.9% + 30¢). Support is available through email, with a community-driven knowledge library as well.
9. Qgiv
Platform Overview
Qgiv shines in the event and auction fundraising space, though it also includes everyday donation tools. Nonprofits that run annual galas, golf tournaments, or hybrid online-offline events often find Qgiv invaluable.
Key Features
- Donation forms with recurring gift tracking.
- Auction software, including mobile bidding on phones.
- Event registration for small or large events.
- Text giving and reminders tied to campaigns.
Best For
Nonprofits with regular events on their calendar. For example, an education nonprofit holding galas and local fundraisers can manage donations, registrations, and auctions under one roof.
Pricing & Support
Base monthly cost is reasonable, but auctions and advanced modules increase the price. Support is praised for hands-on guidance, especially for nonprofits new to running digital auctions.
10. Snowball
Platform Overview
Snowball offers affordability and accessibility, positioning itself for nonprofits just getting started with digital fundraising. Its flat-fee pricing model makes costs predictable.
Key Features
- Simple but effective donation pages.
- Text-to-give campaigns enable supporters to text a keyword to donate.
- Event ticketing and even auction software included in higher tiers.
- Recurring giving built into all forms.
Best For
Nonprofits moving off spreadsheets and PayPal links. For example, a small community library with a modest donor base can use Snowball to introduce text-to-give campaigns and auction events without large overhead.
Pricing & Support
Flat annual pricing starts in the low hundreds, rising for higher features like auctions. Customer service includes help center resources and email support designed for non-technical users.
