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Gofundme has its limitations, but it's not the only option for crowdfunding. Kickstarter and Indiegogo are two popular alternatives that allow creators to raise funds for specific projects or causes.
Kickstarter has a 5% fee for successful projects, which is higher than GoFundMe's 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction fee. However, Kickstarter's fee is waived if the project doesn't meet its funding goal.
Indiegogo offers a flexible funding model, where creators can keep their funds even if they don't meet their goal. This can be a big advantage for projects that are still in the development stage.
Gofundme's fees can add up quickly, especially for larger campaigns.
Why Look for Alternative Platforms?
If you're looking for a more global approach, you might be disappointed to learn that GoFundMe only supports fundraising in 20 countries.
This limited reach can be a major drawback, especially if you're trying to raise funds for a cause that affects people in other parts of the world.
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If you're experiencing technical issues, you won't be able to call GoFundMe's customer service number for immediate assistance.
This lack of direct support can be frustrating, especially if you're in a time-sensitive situation.
GoFundMe's payment verification process can take up to 10 business days, and then payments can take an additional 7 to 30 days to be available for use.
Here are some of the specific limitations you should be aware of:
- Limited countries eligible for fundraising: Currently, GoFundMe supports fundraising in only 20 countries.
- Limited customer support: GoFundMe does not have a customer service number that you can call for immediate assistance.
- Payment delays: GoFundMe's payment verification process can take up to 10 business days, and then payments can take an additional 7 to 30 days to be available for use.
Top Crowdfunding Platforms
If you're looking for alternatives to GoFundMe, there are many options available. Fundly is considered the best GoFundMe alternative, offering more engaging and convenient features.
One of the key benefits of Fundly is that it's free to use, with no platform fees if you ask your donors to tip. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to save on fundraising costs.
FundRazr is another popular crowdfunding platform that offers well-designed fundraising pages that can be set up in minutes. It's a great option for nonprofits, individuals, sports teams, and school projects.
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FundRazr's pricing packages vary, but it offers a free plan with no platform fees if you ask your donors to tip. If you don't want to ask for tips, you'll be charged a 5% platform fee per donation.
Patreon is a unique crowdfunding platform that offers a subscription model of fundraising. It's perfect for teams that need recurring support for long-term creative endeavors.
Here are some of the top crowdfunding platforms to consider:
Kickstarter is another popular crowdfunding platform that's best for creative projects. It's a great option for those looking to fund innovative ideas and bring them to life.
Indiegogo is a crowdfunding platform that's perfect for innovators. It offers a range of features and tools to help you succeed in your fundraising efforts.
ArtistShare is a crowdfunding platform that's specifically designed for musicians. It offers a range of services, including professional project consultation, marketing tips, and product manufacturing and fulfillment.
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GiveCampus is a crowdfunding platform that's best for educational fundraising. It's a great option for schools, universities, and other educational institutions looking to raise funds for specific projects or initiatives.
GiveSendGo is a crowdfunding platform that's best for faith-based fundraising. It's a great option for churches, charities, and other organizations looking to raise funds for specific projects or initiatives.
Crowdfunding for Nonprofits
If you're a nonprofit looking to raise funds online, Classy's crowdfunding platform is a great option, allowing you to build unique microsites for your supporters.
Customization is key when it comes to creating a successful crowdfunding campaign, and platforms like Donorbox Crowdfunding offer storytelling, branding, and shareability potential, helping you multiply your campaign impact and raise more money.
GiveSendGo is an excellent option for faith-based organizations and churches, offering fundraising tools that cater specifically to churches and faith-based organizations, with no platform fee but a third-party processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Key Features of Crowdfunding for Nonprofits
Nonprofits can create visually interesting pages with text, images, and videos on crowdfunding platforms like Givebutter.
Givebutter's donor management tool is robust and easy to use, allowing nonprofits to track online and offline gifts, thank donors, and more.
Givebutter is free to sign up for, with a 1-5% platform fee (plus payment processing fees) applied to each donation made through fundraising pages.
Nonprofits can collect donations, sell tickets, organize peer-to-peer campaigns, and manage events from a single location on Givebutter.
RallyUp allows donors to give in more ways than one, with the option to give flat and recurring donations, and choose from preset donation amounts.
RallyUp offers donation perks – prizes that can be given away at different donation levels – and also allows nonprofits to place limited availability quantities on these perks to encourage a sense of urgency.
RallyUp charges a 7.5% platform fee per donation, plus standard payment processing fees, but nonprofits can ask donors to cover all or a portion of this amount.
CauseVox is an online fundraising platform that lets nonprofits create customized campaign pages, donation forms, team fundraising pages, and more.
Double the Donation is a valuable service that helps nonprofits raise more money by enabling donors to submit employee matching gift requests.
Nonprofits can use Double the Donation to easily raise more money without having to switch to a new crowdfunding platform.
The fees associated with each platform are a crucial factor to consider when choosing the best crowdfunding platform for your nonprofit.
Some crowdfunding sites charge a fixed fee, while others take a percentage of each donation, so it's essential to analyze these costs to determine which option offers the best return on investment.
A well-designed fundraising page can go a long way towards engaging potential donors, so nonprofits should consider each platform's customization options.
The best crowdfunding platforms integrate social network sharing tools that enable supporters to spread the word about your cause on their own networks, increasing the reach of your campaign and attracting more donations.
Nonprofits should look for crowdfunding platforms that offer good customer support, especially if they're new to crowdfunding.
Classy's crowdfunding platform can be the driving force behind any crowdfunding initiative, whether it's Giving Tuesday, recurring giving programs, capital campaigns, or any other fundraiser.
Classy offers unique and evergreen microsites for supporters to get involved with your mission.
Nonprofits should ensure that their chosen crowdfunding platform allows them to create beautiful and engaging donation pages that align with their brand.
The platform should also have the space to share stories that showcase your impact and a powerful call to action to encourage supporters to give.
Donorbox Crowdfunding is packed with storytelling, branding, and shareability potential, helping nonprofits multiply their campaign impact and raise more money.
Nonprofits should look for crowdfunding platforms that allow them to easily share updates, both on the campaign page and via email and social media.
These updates can include thank you messages, impact stories, and deadline reminders to keep donors engaged.
GiveSendGo is an excellent option for faith-based organizations and churches, providing fundraising tools that cater specifically to their needs.
GiveSendGo doesn't charge a platform fee but has a third-party processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction made.
FreeFunder is the only crowdfunding platform that donates to fundraisers based on shares, encouraging users to share their campaigns and increasing their chances of success.
FreeFunder relies on voluntary donations from contributors to stay in business, ensuring that the original donation amount goes entirely to the fundraiser.
Verifying Donation Recipients
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A GoFundMe campaign can be started by anyone, but the money goes directly to the person or cause named in the campaign.
GoFundMe has a process in place to ensure that donations reach the intended recipient, including speaking with the campaign organizer and the beneficiary to verify the funds will be deposited directly into the beneficiary's bank account.
It's not uncommon for someone to create a GoFundMe after a news report, but GoFundMe takes steps to verify the authenticity of the campaign.
The funds are collected by GoFundMe's payment processors and held until the beneficiary is verified, at which point they are released directly to the beneficiary.
Multiple accounts can be funneled to one beneficiary, and the funds are not distributed by the campaign organizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does GoFundMe take on a $100 donation?
GoFundMe takes 2.9% of the donation amount plus a $0.30 fee, so on a $100 donation, you'd pay $2.90 + $0.30 = $3.20 in fees. This leaves $96.80 for your cause.
What fundraising site has no fees?
FreeFunder is a fee-free fundraising platform, giving you the most from your fundraiser. No platform fees means more funds for your cause
Sources
- https://blog.fundly.com/gofundme-alternatives/
- https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/gofundme-alternatives
- https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/17/us/iyw-gofundme-accounts-legitimate-how-to-trnd/index.html
- https://www.freefunder.com/blog/best-gofundme-alternative/
- https://www.tiing.co/blog/crowdfunding/gofundme-alternatives/
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