Fundraising Platforms: What They Are and How to Choose One That Works

If you want to raise money for a cause, project, or need, you’ve probably thought about using a fundraising platform. These platforms help people collect money online. Whether it’s for medical bills, a school trip, a charity, or a personal emergency, they offer a simple way to ask for help and track donations.

But with so many options, choosing the right platform can be confusing. Some charge high fees. Some only work in certain countries. Some are good for nonprofits, while others focus on individuals. This guide breaks it all down in plain language.

A fundraising platform is a website that helps people or groups collect money from others. Most of them use online payment tools like credit cards, bank transfers, or PayPal. People can visit your fundraising page, read your story, and donate directly.

These platforms are often used for:

• Medical expenses

• Disaster relief

• School or college fees

• Funeral costs

• Community projects

• Nonprofit programs

• Animal care

• Religious donations

• Business launches

They give you tools to share your fundraiser with friends, family, or the public through social media or email. Some platforms even offer donation tracking, reporting, and thank-you messaging.

You start by creating a campaign. This is your public page where you tell people why you’re raising money and how much you need. You add photos, write your story, and set a goal.

Once it’s live, people can donate. The platform takes care of the money transfer and updates your total. Some sites let you withdraw funds as they come in. Others wait until the goal is met or the deadline passes.

Here’s the basic flow:

1. You sign up

2. You build a campaign page

3. You set a target amount

4. You share the link with others

5. People donate through the platform

6. You receive the money (minus fees, if any)

Most platforms give you a dashboard to manage everything. You can post updates, respond to donors, and track how much has been raised.

Some fundraising platforms are free to use. Others charge fees in different ways.

Common fee types include:

• Platform fee: a percent of each donation, usually 1 to 5 percent

• Payment processing fee: a percent for handling credit card or PayPal payments

• Optional tip: some sites ask donors to leave a tip instead of charging fundraisers directly

Free platforms often make money through tips or extra features. Paid platforms may include more support, marketing tools, or advanced reports.

Always read the fine print. A “free” platform might still have hidden charges.

Picking the right platform depends on your situation. Start with these questions:

• Are you an individual or an organization?

• Is your cause personal, nonprofit, or business-related?

• Do you want global reach or local focus?

• Do you need ongoing fundraising or one-time support?

• How much money do you need?

• Do you need features like recurring donations or donor reports?

Here’s how it breaks down.

If you’re raising money for yourself, a loved one, or a friend, look for platforms made for personal use. These usually make it easy to get started, even with no technical skills.

You want a site that’s fast to set up, works on mobile, and lets you share your fundraiser with ease. Make sure it allows you to withdraw money directly to your bank account.

If you represent a charity or foundation, you’ll want extra tools like donation receipts, donor management, recurring donations, and campaign tracking. You may also want integrations with your website, CRM, or email tools.

Some platforms offer discounts or free plans for registered nonprofits. Always check.

Some platforms are built for schools, clubs, teams, or community events. These often offer group fundraisers, team pages, or event ticketing alongside donations.

Raising money for a startup or creative idea? You might want a platform that supports business crowdfunding or product pre-orders. These work differently than donation-based fundraising and sometimes include legal rules.

Here are some things a solid fundraising platform should offer:

• Easy setup with no coding needed

• Simple and mobile-friendly campaign pages

• Secure payment system

• Clear breakdown of fees

• Donor privacy options

• Real-time donation tracking

• Ability to post updates

• Payout flexibility

• Support via chat or email

• Multilingual options if needed

Some platforms also let you run multiple campaigns at once or keep them open without deadlines.

Not all platforms work for every country. Some only support donations in certain currencies. Check if your country is on the supported list before you spend time creating a campaign.

Also, watch out for:

• High fees that eat into donations

• Delays in payouts

• Poor customer support

• Limited sharing options

• Too many ads or upsells

• Complicated withdrawal rules

If you’re not sure, search online for reviews. See what other users say about their experience.

There are hundreds of fundraising platforms out there. Some are global, some are regional, and some focus on a certain niche.

Here are a few common types:

• Personal and charity-focused: WhyDonate, GoFundMe, JustGiving

• Creative projects: Kickstarter, Indiegogo

• Nonprofits and recurring donations: Donorbox, GiveWP

• Events and team fundraising: RallyUp, Classy

• Business crowdfunding: Seedrs, Crowdcube, Fundable

Pick one that fits your needs, your audience, and your country.

No matter which platform you choose, success depends on how well you share your story. A few basic tips:

• Keep your title clear and short

• Add a photo that shows your cause

• Be honest and specific in your description

• Explain how the money will be used

• Share updates often to keep interest up

• Thank donors by name if they allow it

• Post your fundraiser on social media and email

• Ask friends to share it too

Good fundraisers feel personal. People are more likely to donate when they understand the need and feel a connection.

Online fundraising has risks. Some people create fake campaigns or use donated money in ways they didn’t say. That hurts trust for everyone.

To keep your fundraiser safe and honest:

• Be transparent about where the money goes

• Use your real name and photo

• Link to social profiles if possible

• Post regular updates with real progress

• Respond to questions or comments

Donors will feel more confident if they know who you are and what you’re doing.

If you’re a donor, only give through trusted platforms. Watch out for fundraisers with no photos, vague descriptions, or anonymous pages.

Use a fundraising platform when:

• You need to reach people beyond your close circle

• You want a simple way to accept donations online

• You don’t have your own website or payment tools

• You need to track donations or show progress

• You want to look more trustworthy and professional

If you just need to collect money from a few friends, you might not need a full platform. But for anything bigger or long-term, it helps.

Once your fundraiser is over, it’s good to post an update with the results. Let donors know how their money helped. You can post a photo, a video, or even a short message.

If you’re still short of your goal, you can keep your page open or start a second round.

And don’t forget to:

• Thank every donor

• Share what happened next

• Close the fundraiser if it’s complete

That builds trust and helps you raise money again in the future.

Fundraising platforms make it easier to ask for help online. Whether you’re raising money for yourself, a friend, or a nonprofit, the right platform can save time, add trust, and keep everything organized.

Before you choose one, check the fees, features, and who it’s made for. Then share your story clearly, stay honest, and thank people who help. It’s that simple.