Free fundraising platforms: 12 best options for nonprofits and schools

You worked hard to raise that donation. The last thing you want is to watch a chunk of it disappear to software costs.

Yet that is exactly what many nonprofits and schools face. A fundraising platform may advertise itself as free, but platform fees, paid upgrades, feature restrictions, and add-on costs can tell a very different story. 

By the time you have the tools needed for donations, events, auctions, peer-to-peer campaigns, and donor management, the total cost can be much higher than expected.

That does not mean free fundraising software is a myth. It means you need to know where the tradeoffs are.

In this guide, we'll look at 12 of the best free fundraising platforms available today, compare what "free" really means on each platform, and help you identify the best option for your organization.

Are free fundraising platforms really free?

Yes and no. Some free fundraising platforms charge no subscription and no platform fee, but that does not always mean every donation is cost-free. 

Most online gifts still pass through a payment processor, such as Stripe, PayPal, or a similar provider. That fee usually covers card handling, fraud checks, and money movement.

The real difference is how each platform handles those costs. Some let donors cover processing fees at checkout. Others use optional donor tips to pay for the platform. 

A few cover fees themselves, but rely on supporter tips to keep the service running. Some tools advertise a free plan but still charge a platform fee on each donation or limit important features to paid plans.

Nonprofits and schools should also watch for hidden costs beyond donation pages. Event ticketing, auctions, text-to-give, donor exports, CRM access, recurring gifts, extra users, or reporting may not be included in every free plan.

So, free can be real, but the details matter. The best choice is the platform that gives your team the tools it needs, keeps fees clear, and helps more of each donation reach your mission.

Platform fee vs. Payment processing fee

A platform fee is what a fundraising platform charges for access to its software and fundraising tools. Some platforms take a percentage of every donation, while others charge no platform fee at all.

A payment processing fee is charged by providers such as Stripe or PayPal to handle online transactions securely. This fee typically applies to credit card, debit card, and digital wallet donations, regardless of the fundraising platform you choose.

Many fundraising platforms give donors the option to cover these costs during checkout. When supporters choose to do so, nonprofits get to keep more of every donation. For example, BetterWorld reports that 95% of donors cover payment processing and platform fees when given the option.

That is why it is important to look beyond the word "free." A platform with no platform fee and strong donor fee coverage can often help nonprofits retain more of the funds they raise.

Each platform below may have optional paid upgrades. But on the free level, nonprofits pay no monthly costs – only the transaction fees shown (unless covered by donors). 

Benefits of using a free fundraising platform

• Keep more of each dollar. No subscription or platform fee means donations go straight to your cause. For example, a typical charity raising $300K with free tools could gain $10K–$15K more per year versus a 5% platform fee.
• Donors cover fees. Many donors are happy to cover costs when asked – studies show 55% of people will opt in to pay credit card fees. This “pay-as-you-wish” model (like adding money to a tip jar) lets nonprofits collect virtually 100% of gifts.
• All-in-one tools. Free platforms like BetterWorld or Zeffy bundle donations, events, auctions, and peer-to-peer campaigns in one system, saving time. (No juggling multiple vendor subscriptions.)
• Built for small budgets. Schools, churches, and community groups can launch fundraisers immediately with minimal setup. Free tools often focus on ease of use for grassroots fundraisers.
• Greater donor engagement. Free sites typically offer donor pages, ticketing, team pages, and other features that encourage more giving. In fact, 63% of donors prefer to give online by credit card – using a dedicated fundraising form meets that expectation and can increase revenue.

Comparison: 12 free fundraising platforms for nonprofits and schools

Top 3 free fundraising platforms (Reviewed)

1. BetterWorld

BetterWorld’s free plan has 0% platform fees. It includes donation pages, crowdfunding, events, auctions, and more. BetterWorld relies on a “donor-funded” model: donors are asked to cover fees, and 95% of them do. 

This means nonprofits effectively keep nearly all donations. Reviews note BetterWorld’s clean interface and strong support. It’s a newcomer but has powerful tools (mobile giving, text donations) with no subscription. For any cause, BetterWorld lets you “raise funds better, faster – for free.”

2. Givebutter

This all-in-one platform offers donation forms, event ticketing, peer-to-peer campaigns, auctions, and more – all free. With donor tips enabled, nonprofits pay $0 in fees (Givebutter guarantees it). If tips are disabled, a flat 3% platform fee applies. 

Givebutter reports 92% of donors choose to cover fees Users praise Givebutter’s ease of use and integrated tools (CRM, email, livestreaming). For nonprofits wanting every feature on one site, it’s a good choice.

3. Give Lively

A nonprofit-funded service, Give Lively provides donation forms, text giving, peer-to-peer campaigns, and ticketing at no cost. There are no platform or membership fees at all. Payment processing is handled via Stripe, and donors can tip to help the charity (called “Pay It Forward”). 

Because of its backing, Give Lively effectively lets you use premium fundraising technology for free. It’s especially strong on basics (online gifts, events) and integrates well with social media. 

Features to look for in a free fundraising platform

When choosing a free fundraising platform, look for these must-have features:

• Donation pages. Secure, mobile-friendly giving forms that can be shared online or embedded on your website. Look for customizable pages (logos, images, editable text) and suggested gift amounts. A good form will also collect donor info and receipts.
• Event ticketing. If you host events, ticket sales with automatic tax receipts are a plus. Some platforms include registration and ticket management so supporters can easily sign up and pay online.
• Auctions. Silent or live auction tools let you list items, manage bids, and accept payments in one place. This can include “buy now” or bid paddle options integrated with your donation system.
• Peer-to-peer campaigns. The ability for supporters to create their own fundraising pages for your cause is essential for walkathons, challenge campaigns, or giving days. Check that each person’s page can be customized and that you can run team challenges or leaderboards.
• Donor tracking/CRM. A basic database or donor portal helps you save contact info, donation history, and communication notes. Even a simple donor management system (email exports, gift analytics, integration with email/CRM tools) adds value.

How much money nonprofits can save with fee-free fundraising

Fee-free fundraising can have a big financial impact. As noted earlier, skipping even a 5% platform fee on $300K could save $10K–$15K a year. 

That’s real money for programs, staff, or scholarships. For a small charity, reinvesting 5% of donations into the mission – instead of into fees – is significant.

Consider this: if donors cover the processing fee (as in BetterWorld’s models), your nonprofit effectively gets 100% of each donation. It’s like turning spare change into extra revenue. 

Many donors ‘make a change’ by covering fees, so nonprofits collect almost the full donation.

Moreover, free platforms often encourage recurring giving and crowdfunding, which leads to more total gifts. One survey found recurring donors give 27% of online revenue, with most preferring credit card payments. A free platform with simple credit-card giving can capture that stream. 

All told, by eliminating platform fees and empowering donors to cover costs, nonprofits save thousands annually – funds that go right to programs.

How to choose the right platform for your fundraising

No single tool is perfect for every organization. To pick the right free platform, consider:

• Your fundraising style. If you run lots of events and campaigns, you want a platform (like BetterWorld) that supports events, auctions, and P2P. If you only need a simple donation form, something like Every.org or Donorbox might suffice for the time being.
• Donor experience. Look for platforms with smooth checkout and good communication features. Donation pages should be on-brand and easy to use. Check if they let donors cover fees or leave tips (that can double revenue). Also, see if they send automated receipts and thank-you emails.
• Support and data. Even on a free plan, reliable customer service matters. Also consider how easy it is to get your donor data out (CSV exports, integrations). 
• Scalability and add-ons. Some free tools cap transactions (e.g., tips only cover cards up to $1,000 on Pledge). Others limit special features (live auctions, higher-tier support). Think about growth: if you outgrow the free plan, can you upgrade reasonably without adding costs?

Ready to raise more for your cause?

Free fundraising platforms are not marketing gimmicks; they’re real tools that save nonprofits significant money. By removing platform fees and using donor generosity, these solutions help your cause keep nearly 100% of each gift.

For example, BetterWorld offers a full suite of fundraising tools at 0% platform fee. Our mission is to help organizations like yours raise funds without the extra costs. 

Connect with us to learn more. Our team can show you how BetterWorld’s donation pages, crowdfunding events, and mobile giving features work, all for free. 

Reach out to BetterWorld today and start raising funds the smarter way!