7 Best Crowdfunding Sites for Charity Fundraisers

If you’re searching for the best crowdfunding sites for charity organizations, you’re not alone. More nonprofits are leaning on online giving because it’s simple, fast, and built for how donors act now.

A good platform can help you raise money, find new supporters, and keep admin work under control. A bad one can make giving feel clunky or expensive.

This guide walks through the top tools that are worth your shortlist.

Why Is Crowdfunding a Powerful Tool for Charities?

Crowdfunding works because it matches real donor behavior. People want to give right when they feel moved. They also want to share causes with their friends and family in seconds. 

Online platforms make both easy, even for small teams. 

Expanded Reach and Donor Base (Local & Global)

A single campaign page can travel far beyond your mailing list. One volunteer shares it, then five friends share it again. That ripple effect is hard to copy with a dinner or raffle.

A local animal rescue, for example, might raise funds from neighbors at first. But a viral “emergency surgery” post can bring gifts from other states or countries.

Platforms that support easy social sharing and mobile giving make that spread more likely. 

Lower Costs and Ease Compared to Traditional Fundraising Events

In-person events cost money before you raise a cent. You pay for venues, food, printing, and staff time. Crowdfunding flips that. You launch first, then spend later if needed.

Most platforms now charge either no platform fee or a small percentage, plus payment processing. That usually lands far below event overhead.

Accessibility and Flexibility 

Crowdfunding is friendly to every size of mission. A two-person community kitchen can raise $3,000 for a freezer. A national nonprofit can raise $300,000 for disaster relief.

Both use the same model: tell a clear story and offer a simple way to help.

What to Look For When Choosing a Crowdfunding Platform

Before you compare logos, get clear on what you need. The best crowdfunding sites for charity are the ones that match your donors, your staff capacity, and your goals.

Fee Structure and Transparency

Fees vary a lot, and the wording can be confusing. Look for two parts:

• Platform fee: What the site keeps. Some platforms rely on donor tips instead.
• Processing fee: Card or ACH fees.

Ask these questions early:

• Can donors cover fees?
• Are tips optional or on by default?
• Are there extra costs for text-to-give or events?

Ease of Setup and Use

A page should be up and running in just a couple of hours, not weeks. You want drag-and-drop building, clear dashboards, and a donation flow that doesn’t ask donors to jump through hoops.

If possible, test a demo donation. If it feels clunky and annoying for you to use, it will feel worse to your donors.

Nonprofit-specific Features

General platforms can still work, but nonprofit-first ones save time. Helpful features include:

• Automatic tax receipting
• Donor email capture
• Recurring gift tools
• Basic CRM or export options

Global Reach and Payment Support

If you are fundraising across borders, look for:

• Multi-currency pages
• Local payment methods
• Clear currency conversion rules

Engagement Tools

Crowdfunding is not “set it and forget it.” Platforms that support updates, comments, and social prompts help keep momentum.

Look for built-in tools for:

• Campaign updates
• Share buttons that work well on mobile
• Peer-to-peer fundraising add-ons

Comparison Table: Crowdfunding Platforms at a Glance

Fees shown are typical for U.S. nonprofits in 2025-2026. Always confirm current rates before launching.

7 Top Crowdfunding Sites for Charity Fundraisers

Here are our standout picks for the top crowdfunding tools for NPOs:

1. GoFundMe 

GoFundMe is the name most donors recognize. It works best for fast, emotional appeals that need a wide reach.

Key Features / Pros

• Quick campaign setup with a clean, single-page layout.
• Strong mobile experience for donors on phones.
• Built-in social sharing that helps campaigns spread fast.
• Large existing user base, which boosts trust for first-time donors.
• Simple updates section to keep supporters informed.

Limitations

• Branding options are limited compared to nonprofit-first tools.
• Donor data tools are lighter than full fundraising suites.

Note: There is also GoFundMe Pro for Nonprofits, which offers more comprehensive tools and features but has high monthly fees. 

2. Donorbox 

Donorbox blends crowdfunding with donation management. It feels like a nonprofit tool first, and a campaign tool second.

Key Features / Pros

• Easy recurring gift setup, including monthly and annual options.
• Automatic tax receipts and donor confirmation emails.
• Embeddable forms that match your website look.
• Good donor data capture with clean exports.
• Solid support for different campaign types.

Limitations

• Some advanced tools require paid add-ons.
• Peer-to-peer functions are not as central as on other platforms.

3. Fundly

Fundly is simple and social-friendly. It works well for smaller causes that need an easy page and quick sharing.

Key Features / Pros

• Very easy to launch with minimal steps.
• Campaign pages are social-friendly and easy to share.
• Simple dashboard for tracking progress.
• Supports photos and videos well, which helps storytelling.
• Works for short, goal-based fundraising.
• Peer-to-peer capabilities.

Limitations

• Limited donor management tools.
• Not ideal for complex, multi-layer fundraising programs.

4. FundRazr 

FundRazr offers flexible campaign types and good scaling support. It also has strong social tools and works well for campaigns that may grow over time.

Key Features / Pros

• Multiple campaign styles, including team and community drives.
• Strong sharing tools for social networks.
• Options for international reach and broader audiences.
• Campaign coaching and resources for nonprofits.
• Good for long-term fundraising goals.

Limitations

• Some premium features sit behind paid tiers.
• The interface feels less modern than newer platforms.

5. Mightycause 

Mightycause, formerly Razoo, is built for giving days and peer-to-peer fundraising. It’s a strong match for structured drives.

Key Features / Pros

• Great tools for giving day campaigns.
• Peer-to-peer pages are easy for supporters to use.
• Visual storytelling features, including team photos and updates.
• Good tracking for teams and chapters.
• Helpful engagement prompts for donors.

Limitations

• Pricing depends on your plan and setup.
• Best for planned events more than urgent appeals.

6. Funraise

Funraise is a modern fundraising suite with strong campaign branding. It fits nonprofits ready for deeper tools.

Key Features / Pros

• Highly branded campaign pages that feel like your own site.
• Strong peer-to-peer fundraising options.
• Automation for receipts, follow-ups, and donor journeys.
• Clean reporting and donor segmentation tools.
• Good fit for multi-campaign programs.

Limitations

• More setup than lighter platforms.
• Not the fastest option for a same-day launch.

7. Snowball Fundraising

Snowball is a broader fundraising platform that includes crowdfunding. It suits groups running mixed fundraising methods.

Key Features / Pros

• Text-to-give works smoothly alongside campaigns.
• Tools for auctions and events in the same ecosystem.
• Good for churches and community nonprofits.
• Simple donor communication features.
• Supports both online and in-person giving.

Limitations

• Less focused on pure crowdfunding.
• Setup can take longer than simpler tools.

How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Nonprofit

Choosing from the best crowdfunding sites for charity and nonprofit organizations gets easier when you work backward from your campaign plan.

Match Platform Strengths to Your Size, Audience, and Goals

Start with your real constraints. Then pick a platform that removes friction for your team and donors.

• Lean team: Choose fast, simple tools like Fundly or GoFundMe. They are easy to launch and manage.
• Growing donor base: Use Donorbox if you want clean donor data and strong recurring gift support.
• Giving days or supporter-led drives: Mightycause or Funraise work well for peer-to-peer momentum.
• Long campaigns with wider reach: FundRazr can handle bigger goals and sustained sharing.
• Hybrid fundraising needs: Snowball fits if you also run texts, events, or auctions alongside a campaign.

Consider Donor Experience First

Donors stick with what feels easy and safe. Clear fees help. So do strong trust marks and quick checkouts.

Even if you love a platform, a confusing giving flow will slow you down.

Combine Crowdfunding with Other Fundraising Methods

Crowdfunding is strongest when it supports a bigger plan. Many groups pair it with auctions, giving days, or monthly donor drives.

Keep Communication and Storytelling Tight

The best campaigns feel human. They also stay active. Plan:

• A strong opening story
• Weekly updates with small wins (Extra tip: use a fundraising thermometer for visual impact)
• Direct thanks that show impact

If you need a simple planning structure, our fundraising plan template is a good starting point: Create a Winning Strategy: Fundraising Plan Template for Nonprofits

Conclusion

Crowdfunding is not a trend anymore. It’s a core fundraising channel, especially as donors keep moving online. The best crowdfunding sites are the ones that fit your mission and remove friction for supporters.

Pick a short list, read the fine print, and run a small test drive. You can learn a lot from a $1,000 pilot before you chase $50,000. Over time, you’ll find what your donors respond to and where your team feels confident.

When you match the right platform with a clear story and steady updates, crowdfunding can become one of your most reliable ways to grow support.