8 Best GoFundMe Alternatives: Fundraising Platforms to Explore

Suitable GoFundMe Alternatives

GoFundMe has long been a go-to crowdfunding platform for individuals and organizations looking to raise funds online. With its name recognition and ease of use, it’s become a household name in the world of crowdfunding. However, despite its popularity, GoFundMe might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Whether it’s due to its lack of advanced features, limited event functionality, or the need for more tailored fundraising tools, many users find themselves searching for alternatives.

In this post, we’ll explore seven alternative fundraising platforms that offer unique features and benefits, catering to a variety of needs and projects. From creative endeavors to nonprofit campaigns, these platforms provide diverse options that could better align with your specific fundraising goals.

GoFundMe: Strengths and Limitations

Strengths:

• Name recognition and widespread usage: GoFundMe’s brand is well-known, making it easier to attract donors who are familiar with the platform.
• No platform fees and quick campaign setup: The simplicity of GoFundMe is one of its greatest strengths. Setting up a campaign is quick, and the platform doesn’t charge any fees, making it cost-effective for fundraisers.

Limitations of various crowdfunding sites include payment processing fees and the effectiveness of their fundraising campaigns.

• Lack of event functionality: GoFundMe does not offer built-in tools for hosting events or ticket sales, which can be a drawback for fundraisers that revolve around gatherings or performances, especially when compared to other crowdfunding platforms.
• Basic donation forms and absence of donor management tools: While GoFundMe is great for straightforward donations, it lacks more advanced features like donor tracking and personalized donation forms, which are essential for larger campaigns and nonprofits.

Alternative Crowdfunding Platforms: Online Fundraising

When choosing a fundraising platform, it’s essential to consider factors like fees, features, target users, and overall user experience. The seven crowdfunding platforms we’ll discuss have been selected based on these criteria, offering diverse options that cater to various online fundraising needs.

Detailed Analysis of Each The GoFundMe Alternatives

1. Smile Markets – Add a Cause Now

   • Features: Universally free platform for causes to raise funds through their Smile Market page which allows supporters to shop at their favorite stores online while their cause of choice receive donations for each shopping trip. Best GoFundMe alternatives start with Smile Markets. Follow Smile Markets on Facebook.
   • Pricing: Free for causes and supporters.
   • Best for: Nonprofits, schools, faith-based groups, sports teams.
   • USP: Unique and simple, supports simply shop online using their favorite causes Smile Market page. One of the most unique and simple fundraising platforms on the internet. Shop. Donate. Smile.

2. Givebutter

   • Features: Givebutter is designed for interactive fundraising, making it easy to host events, engage donors, and track progress. The platform supports peer-to-peer fundraising, live streaming, and text-to-donate, offering a comprehensive set of tools for both small and large campaigns.
   • Pricing: Free to use, with an option for donors to cover processing fees through tips.
   • Best for: Nonprofits, schools, faith-based groups, sports teams.
   • USP: Classy is a powerful fundraising site that provides tools for online fundraising and donor management. offers advanced features for managing crowdfunding campaigns effectively. This platform provides a unique approach to crowdfunding campaigns, allowing for tailored fundraising strategies. Givebutter’s extensive feature set and focus on donor engagement make it a standout choice, particularly for organizations looking to build long-term relationships with supporters.

3. Kickstarter is a well-known crowdfunding site that focuses on creative projects and innovative ideas.

   • Features: Kickstarter is the go-to platform for creative projects, using a reward-based model where backers receive incentives for their contributions. The all-or-nothing funding model on Kickstarter means that if a project doesn’t reach its goal, no money is collected, which can impact the success of a crowdfunding campaign.
   • Pricing: 8% of the total amount raised, plus 20 cents per transaction.
   • Best for: Creative projects like video, games, and tech gadgets.
   • USP: The all-or-nothing approach ensures that only fully-funded projects proceed, which can build trust with backers and encourage higher donation levels.

4. Fundly is a popular crowdfunding site that supports various personal causes and projects.

   • Features: Fundly offers highly personalized fundraising pages, allowing users to tell their stories in detail and connect emotionally with donors. It’s a flexible platform, suitable for a wide range of personal causes.
   • Pricing: 8% of the amount raised, plus 30 cents per transaction.
   • Best for: Personal causes, medical bills, and political projects are commonly funded through crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe.
   • USP: Fundly’s flexibility in goal achievement and ease of use make it a popular choice for individuals and small groups looking to raise money for personal causes.

5. Indiegogo

   • Features: Indiegogo offers flexible funding options, allowing campaigners to keep whatever funds they raise, even if they don’t meet their goal. The platform also provides pre-launch support to help build momentum before a campaign goes live.
   • Pricing: 8% of the amount raised, plus 30 cents per transaction.
   • Best for: Creative and product campaigns.
   • USP: Indiegogo’s hybrid funding model offers both fixed and flexible options, making it versatile for different types of campaigns.

6. Bonfire

   • Features: Bonfire specializes in custom T-shirt fundraising, allowing users to design and sell shirts as part of their fundraising efforts. The platform handles production, shipping, and customer service, making it a hassle-free option for merchandise-based campaigns.
   • Pricing: 8% per transaction, with reduced fees for nonprofits.
   • Best for: Merchandise-based fundraising.
   • USP: Bonfire’s easy setup and tangible supporter rewards make it an attractive option for teams, clubs, and causes looking to raise funds through apparel sales.

7. Classy

   • Features: Classy is a professional-grade platform designed for larger nonprofits and social groups. It offers robust features like peer-to-peer fundraising, comprehensive donor management, and beautifully designed campaign pages.
   • Pricing: Custom quotes for payment processing fees start at $499 per month.
   • Best for: High-budget nonprofits and social groups.
   • USP: Classy’s all-in-one fundraising hub is ideal for organizations that require a full suite of tools to manage large-scale campaigns.

8. Patreon

   • Features: Patreon is built around the concept of membership tiers, allowing creators and nonprofits to receive recurring donations from their supporters. The platform is particularly well-suited for ongoing projects and content creation.
   • Pricing: 5-12% platform fee, plus transaction fees.
   • Best for: Creators and nonprofits seeking monthly support.
   • USP: Patreon’s strong community-building features and recurring donation model make it a favorite among artists, podcasters, and nonprofits.

Comparative Analysis for Nonprofit Organizations – Sites Like GoFundMe

Each of these platforms offers unique advantages over GoFundMe, depending on the type of campaign and the needs of the fundraiser. For example, Smile Markets stands out for being completely free and taps into actions that supporters do every day, Givebutter stands out for its free and versatile toolset, making it a great alternative for nonprofits and schools. Kickstarter and Indiegogo are ideal for creative projects, offering structured funding models that appeal to backers. Meanwhile, Bonfire and Patreon provide innovative ways to engage supporters through merchandise and recurring donations, respectively.

However, some platforms may have higher fees or require more effort to set up, such as Classy, which is better suited for large nonprofits with bigger budgets. It’s crucial to weigh these factors against your specific goals and audience to choose the best platform.

Best GoFundMe Alternatives for Your Online Fundraising Campaign

Selecting the right fundraising platform is essential to the success of your campaign. While GoFundMe is a solid choice for many, the alternatives explored in this post offer specialized features that might better meet your needs. Whether you’re looking for a free and interactive platform like Givebutter or need the community engagement tools of Patreon, there’s an option out there for everyone. If you’re specifically interested in fundraising strategies for sports teams, platforms like FlipGive and TeamFund offer unique opportunities for team fundraising, including cash back rewards and discounts from popular retailers. By carefully considering the specific needs and goals of your campaign, you can select the platform that will help you maximize the success of your fundraising efforts. To ensure that you make the most of your chosen fundraising platform, it’s important to familiarize yourself with online fundraising tips and best practices. Having a strong understanding of how to engage with potential donors, create compelling content, and leverage social media can significantly impact the success of your campaign. By staying informed and proactive with your online fundraising efforts, you can increase your chances of meeting and surpassing your fundraising goals.

Take the time to consider your fundraising goals, the type of campaign you’re running, and your target audience when choosing a platform. For those seeking a free and comprehensive toolset, Givebutter stands out as a particularly strong alternative to GoFundMe. Whatever your choice, the right platform can make all the difference in reaching your fundraising goals.

Top Alternatives to GoFundMe FAQs