It’s no secret that fundraising is important. It fuels our community with donations that support essential causes—from personal emergencies to social impact initiatives.
Today, crowdfunding has emerged as a transformative force, helping individuals, start-ups, and organizations garner support from donors around the globe. Better yet, there are numerous free fundraising sites offering feature-rich, easy-to-use platforms. This guide introduces eight of the best free crowdfunding sites for individuals and nonprofits alike, focusing on crowdfunding without fees or with minimal charges.
We’ll also provide transparent comparisons of the types of crowdfunding, their features, fraud protection measures, potential drawbacks, and real-life success stories. If you’re seeking fundraising sites with no fees, read on to discover which option best suits your fundraiser’s needs. These are the best fundraising sites for individuals out there!
The Best Free Crowdfunding and Online Fundraising Sites
Below is a quick look at the top free crowdfunding platforms you might consider for your next fundraiser:
All are no fee fundraising sites (or close to it), and each offers different benefits for nonprofits, businesses, community-based projects, and personal causes. Let’s dive into the details of the best free crowdfunding sites out there!
Understanding Common Crowdfunding Fees
Even when platforms call themselves free fundraising sites for individuals or nonprofits, it’s crucial to understand the different fees that may appear in the process:
Platform Fee
Many crowdfunding platforms charge a percentage of the total funds raised. Some, however, have adopted a 0% platform fee model, relying on voluntary tips or donations instead.
Payment Processing Fees
These fees are tied to the payment processors (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) used to handle online transactions. They usually range from 2.7% to 2.9% plus a small fixed fee (e.g., $0.30) for each donation.
Subscription Fees
Certain platforms offer premium or advanced features (like marketing automation or CRM tools) in exchange for a monthly or annual subscription.
Donor Fees
Some crowdfunding sites present donors with a prompt to “tip” or cover processing fees so the organizer can receive the entire donation. This is often optional, but it’s good to be aware of it.
1. AngeLink
Fundraising For Causes, Nonprofits, and Business
AngeLink stands out among free fundraising sites thanks to its women-powered community focus and innovative technology.
AngeLink merges advanced AI technology, secure transactions, and data protection. This creates a trustworthy platform for women to raise money and for raising funds through crowdfunding.
While it welcomes campaigns for all kinds of causes—personal, nonprofit, or business-related—it places special emphasis on supporting women’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors.
Platform Features
- AI-Wizard™: Helps craft compelling stories for campaigns.
- Automatic Contact Sync: Easily syncs email and text contacts to share campaigns widely.
- Social Media Integration: Simplifies posting across Facebook, Twitter, and other networks.
- Achievement Badges: Rewards milestones to encourage engagement.
- 24/7 Support: Round-the-clock assistance for any technical or fundraising questions.
AngeLink also emphasizes “people-powered” success through its strong user community. Its AI-enhanced features guide campaigners in creating persuasive, impactful crowdfunding pages.
Crowdfunding Fees
- Platform Fee: 0%
- Payment Processing Fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per donation
This crowdfunding without fees structure means organizers only deal with standard transaction costs. AngeLink relies on voluntary tips or donations from supporters to fund its operations.
Fraud Protection
AngeLink reviews every fundraiser before publication, helping safeguard donors and organizers from fraudulent activities. This ensures fundraisers are legitimate and secure.
Successful Fundraiser Example
Katie Joy from Lynnwood, WA, battled breast cancer that required chemotherapy through the summer, a total left mastectomy in September, and weeks of radiation. Exhausted by the physical and financial strain, she sought help to cover both standard treatments and out-of-network therapies, such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy, massage, and healing energy work.
She raised $5,166 of her $8,000 goal thanks to generous contributions and encouraging messages from friends, family, and compassionate supporters. Although it was humbling to ask for assistance, each donation bolstered her resolve and underscored the power of community in her fight against cancer.
2. GoFundMe
Crowdfunding For Personal Causes
GoFundMe is one of the most recognized free fundraising sites for individuals, ideal for personal causes such as medical, educational, and emergency relief. Its user-friendly interface and social sharing tools make it simple to reach a broad audience.
Platform Features
- User-Friendly Setup: Step-by-step prompts guide you in creating a fundraiser and setting goals.
- Social Sharing Tools: Makes sharing fundraisers on platforms like Facebook and Twitter a breeze.
- Secure Payment Processing: Protects donor information and ensures fast, safe transactions.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Offers assistance around the clock.
Crowdfunding Fees
- Platform Fee: 0%
- Payment Processing Fee: Typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (rates can vary by region)
Fraud Protection
A dedicated Trust & Safety team at GoFundMe monitors campaigns, ensuring donors can give confidently. GoFundMe is widely regarded as a top platform for crowdfunding without fees, with robust protections in place.
Successful Fundraiser Example
An example of GoFundMe’s impact is the Los Angeles Wildfire Relief fundraisers, which raised millions of dollars. The sheer scale of donations underscores GoFundMe’s capacity to mobilize communities for large-scale emergencies.
3. FundRazr
Crowdfunding For Innovative Projects
FundRazr caters to a wide range of needs—from personal causes to innovative business crowdfunding. Known for its Crowdfunding as a Service (CaaS) model, FundRazr lets organizations integrate its technology into their websites and maintain full control over their branding and donor relationships.
If you’re looking for a business crowdfunding platform, you’re in luck! Fundrazr could be an option for you. It distinguishes itself with its innovative Crowdfunding as a Service (CaaS) model. It specifically targets businesses.
Platform Features
- Comprehensive Campaign Types: Offers microprojects, recurring donations, peer-to-peer, and more.
- Social Media Integration: Promotes broad sharing across multiple platforms.
- Analytics and Reporting: Tracks donor engagement and campaign performance.
- Crowdfunding as a Service: Ideal for startups or nonprofits wanting a branded fundraising experience.
Crowdfunding Fees
- Platform Fee: 0% on the free plan (5% if using the Pro subscription).
- Payment Processing Fee: Around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (payment provider-dependent).
Fraud Protection
FundRazr values security and transparency. It supports secure transactions and offers clear reporting, helping fundraisers spot suspicious activity and reassuring donors their gifts are used appropriately.
Successful Fundraiser Example
Crusoe’s story on Fundrazr and charismatic presence galvanized the community, transforming the campaign into a feel-good endeavor that raised over $122,000 for Cornell University’s veterinary research.
By pairing an adorable celebrity with the enticing donation perks of free crowdfunding sites, the organizers created a fun, interactive fundraising experience that resonated with supporters—showcasing the power of engaging storytelling and strategic partnerships to make a meaningful impact.
4. Givebutter
Crowdfunding For Nonprofits and Student Organizations
Givebutter is a free crowdfunding platform geared toward nonprofits, student groups, and individuals seeking a robust, modern toolkit. Beyond crowdfunding, it offers peer-to-peer fundraising, event ticketing, donor management, and marketing features like email/SMS messaging.
Platform Features
- Donation Forms and Pages: Customizable to align with your branding.
- Fundraising Events and Auctions: Manage ticket sales, event registration, and auctions seamlessly.
- Nonprofit CRM: Track donor relationships and interactions in detail.
- Marketing and Engagement: Integrated email and SMS messaging for efficient supporter outreach.
- Mobile App: Lets you manage campaigns anytime, anywhere.
Crowdfunding Fees
- Platform Fee: 0% if donors leave an optional tip; otherwise, a small platform fee (1-5%) applies.
- Payment Processing Fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Fraud Protection
Givebutter employs secure payment processors and advanced security measures to ensure safe transactions. Its transparency tools (like customized donation forms and embeddable widgets) help maintain authenticity across campaigns.
Successful Fundraiser Example
The Northwest Film Forum raised over $50,000 for a creative brunch fundraiser, showcasing Givebutter’s capacity to handle larger campaigns, events, and auctions for nonprofits.
5. FreeFunder
Crowdfunding For Community-Based Projects
FreeFunder uniquely emphasizes local and community-driven campaigns, aiming to foster collective support for shared goals. It’s one of the purest no fee fundraising sites, relying on optional tips rather than mandatory charges.
Platform Features
- Text-To-Donate: Supporters can give via simple SMS, boosting accessibility.
- Embedded Fundraiser Widgets: Lets users embed campaigns on their personal or business websites.
- Easy Sharing Tools: Built-in social sharing for extended campaign reach.
- Add Team Members: Collaborate with friends or colleagues to manage and promote your fundraiser.
Crowdfunding Fees
- Platform Fee: 0%
- Payment Processing Fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (handled by Stripe).
Fraud Protection
FreeFunder partners with Stripe for secure payments and provides quick support to address any red flags. Organizers can feel confident that transactions are protected from fraudulent activity.
Successful Fundraiser Example
Aubrey raised over $14,000 on FreeFunder to help a local veterinarian receive necessary medical treatment. The strong sense of community engagement helped her fundraiser succeed beyond expectations.
6. Funraise
Crowdfunding For Dynamic Fundraisers
Funraise is a comprehensive fundraising platform designed primarily for nonprofits but accessible to anyone. By consolidating multiple tools—donor management, analytics, peer-to-peer campaigns—Funraise can handle everything in one place.
Platform Features
- Donation Forms and Pages: Tailored to match organizational branding.
- Recurring Giving: Automates monthly or yearly contributions for sustainable income.
- Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Mobilizes supporters to create personal fundraising pages.
- Events and Ticketing: Simplifies event registrations and ticket sales.
- Nonprofit CRM: Provides robust donor insights and relationship management.
Crowdfunding Fees
Funraise does not publicly disclose exact platform fee details; it often operates under a “Donors Cover Fees” approach. Standard processing fees (around 2.9% + $0.30) usually still apply. For precise information, it’s best to contact Funraise directly.
Fraud Protection
Funraise prioritizes security through secure payment gateways, data protection, and robust administrative tools. These help organizations maintain a safe environment for donors.
Successful Fundraiser Example
The Innocence Project leveraged Funraise to collect thousands of dollars in donations online. Its easy-to-use interface and powerful donor management suite helped facilitate large-scale fundraising efforts.
7. Fundly
Fundraising For Everyone’s Passions
Fundly is one of the free crowdfunding sites that focuses on inclusivity, offering a “Keep What You Raise” model. This approach guarantees fundraisers receive donations immediately, whether or not they meet their ultimate goal.
Platform Features
- Deep Facebook Integration: Enables direct fundraising within Facebook for seamless donor experiences.
- Data Analytics: Tracks visitor data, donor trends, and fundraiser performance.
- Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Supports individual or group-based fundraisers with shared goals.
- Event Management: Tools for event creation, registration, and customizable forms.
- Heat Maps: Visualize where donors are located to better target outreach.
Crowdfunding Fees
Fundly does not typically charge a platform fee to organizers, functioning mostly on optional tips and modest payment processing fees of around 2.9% + $0.30.
Fraud Protection
Through integrated payment gateways and strong customer support, Fundly helps ensure fundraisers are legitimate and addresses concerns promptly. This transparency fosters trust among donors.
Successful Fundraiser Example
Sudani Refugee Relief has rallied 170 donors, raising $9,188 out of a $10,000 goal, demonstrating a powerful collective commitment to aid volunteers on the ground.
Although the fundraiser has officially ended, the impact of this effort continues to resonate. Supporters came together for a night celebrating the rich tapestry of the Sudanese diaspora while also addressing the urgent need to alleviate the current refugee crisis in the region.
8. Donors Choose
Fundraising For Causes, Nonprofits and Business
Donors Choose is a specialized platform that exclusively supports public school classrooms, allowing teachers to request resources and experiences for their students. This makes it a standout choice for education-focused fundraising.
Looking for a school fundraising platform? Donors Choose enables teachers to raise money for classroom projects. This attracts donors passionate about public education. Donors Choose commits to transparency and accountability. It provides clear insight into the usage of donations building donor trust.
While primarily for teachers and classrooms, Donors Choose’s model can inspire nonprofits or businesses looking to fund educational initiatives. Donors who are passionate about public education flock to this platform for the peace of mind offered by its transparency.
Platform Features
- Vetted Project Requests: Ensures donations go to verified classroom needs.
- Ship Resources Directly: Once funded, resources are sent to classrooms.
- Regular Updates: Donors receive progress reports and thank-you notes, fostering trust.
- High Accountability: Teachers must outline exactly how donations are used.
Crowdfunding Fees
- Platform Fee: 0% for the teacher or organizer.
- Optional Donation: Donors Choose sustains operations through an optional 15% tip donors can add at checkout.
- Payment Processing Fee: About 1.5% to cover credit card transactions.
Fraud Protection
By verifying teachers and pre-approving classroom requests, Donors Choose significantly reduces the chance of fraudulent campaigns. This authenticity reassures donors that their gifts truly benefit students.
Successful Fundraiser Example
Mrs. Long’s students had a strong phonics foundation at school but needed more practice at home. She sought a set of books focusing on specific consonant and vowel patterns, enabling them to build confidence until they were ready for chapter books.
Each child received a list of titles, hung on the classroom wall, and checked off each one they completed—an approach that kept them motivated. Generous contributions ensured these resources truly impacted the students’ reading progress, and Mrs. Long greatly appreciated the support.
A Thorough Look at the Top Free Crowdfunding Sites
No matter your cause, the right free crowdfunding sites can turn your vision into reality. Whether you aim to support a personal project, a nonprofit, or a classroom, these free crowdfunding platforms each have unique features, robust fraud protection, and minimal fees.
From AngeLink’s women-centric AI support to Donors Choose’s classroom focus, you’ll find fundraising sites with no fees (or close to zero) to meet your specific goals. So don’t wait—start your fundraiser on one of these top no fee fundraising sites and be the change you want to see in the world.