Top 5 Charity Fundraising Platforms You Should Consider

In today’s digital age, fundraising for charitable causes has never been easier or more accessible thanks to a multitude of online platforms.

Whether you’re organising a community event, supporting a personal cause, or representing a non-profit organisation, choosing the right fundraising platform can significantly impact your success.

To help you make an informed decision, let’s explore the top five charity fundraising platforms.

Fundraising Platforms Terms You Should Know

Before we take a deep dive into each platform, here are some key fundraising platform terms you should know:

1. Payment Processing Fee:

Online fundraising platforms often facilitate the processing of donations made through their platform. These fees cover various costs associated with handling payments, including transaction fees and administrative costs. Payment processing fees are typically calculated as a percentage of each donation, with an additional flat fee per transaction in some cases.

2. Gift Aid:

Gift Aid is a UK government initiative that allows eligible charities to claim back tax on donations made by UK taxpayers. Online fundraising platforms operating in the UK often facilitate the Gift Aid process by prompting donors to complete a Gift Aid declaration when donating. Once the declaration is completed, the platform ensures that the charity can claim the additional funds from HM Revenue & Customs, increasing the value of the donation at no extra cost to the donor.

3. Event Ticketing:

Some online fundraising platforms offer event ticketing services alongside their fundraising capabilities. These platforms enable organisers to create, promote, and sell tickets for events such as charity galas, fundraising dinners, concerts, or community gatherings.

4. Professional Support:

Online fundraising platforms may provide professional support services to help users optimise their fundraising efforts. This support may include access to fundraising experts, campaign strategists, marketing consultants, and technical support specialists.

Professional support services can assist users in developing effective fundraising strategies, leveraging platform features, maximising donor engagement, and addressing any challenges or issues that may arise during the fundraising process.

GoodHub

GoodHub stands out for its transparent fee structure and commitment to providing professional support to all its users at no extra cost.

While donations to UK charities and non-profits are increasing each year, many organisations are getting left behind. This is particularly true for smaller charities and community organisations that often contribute more to society than larger charities but lack the communication and fundraising skills required to secure revenue in a digital age.

GoodHub’s mission statement is to ensure that every charity and non-profit has access to affordable online fundraising. With a payment processing fee that is lower than most platforms, GoodHub is the ideal solution for charities and non-profits of all sizes.

Subscription Fee: No

Payment Processing Fee: 1.4% + 20p

Voluntary Contribution: Yes (default 10% up to 15%)

Gift Aid: Yes

Event Ticketing: Yes

Professional Support: Yes (Dedicated UK-based client success manager)

Mobile App: Yes

JustGiving

JustGiving is a popular platform known for its wide reach and user-friendly interface. While it does have a subscription fee, its robust features, and a mobile app for easy campaign management, make it a top choice for many fundraisers.

Subscription Fee: £150 to £468 + VAT
Payment Processing Fee: 1.9% to 2.9% + 20p
Voluntary Contribution: Yes (default 15% up to 30%)
Gift Aid: Yes
Event Ticketing: No
Professional Support: No
Mobile App: Yes

GoFundMe

GoFundMe is synonymous with personal fundraising campaigns and has gained widespread popularity for its ease of use and extensive social sharing capabilities. With no subscription fee and a straightforward fee structure, GoFundMe is an excellent option for individuals seeking quick and efficient fundraising solutions.

Subscription Fee: No

Payment Processing Fee: 1.9% + 20p

Voluntary Contribution: Yes (default 15% up to 30%)

Gift Aid: Yes

Event Ticketing: No

Professional Support: No

Mobile App: Yes

Crowdfunder

Crowdfunder caters to a diverse range of fundraising needs, from personal projects to community initiatives. While it lacks a mobile app, its commitment to providing professional support for larger fundraising endeavours makes it a good solution for bigger campaigns with complex funding requirements.

Subscription Fee: No

Payment Processing Fee: 1.9% + 20p or higher

Voluntary Contribution: Yes (default 20% up to 30%)

Gift Aid: Yes

Event Ticketing: No

Professional Support: Yes (for fundraisers > £50,000)

Mobile App: No

Enthuse

Enthuse offers flexibility in its fee structure, allowing clients to choose between various subscription options or opt for a fixed fee or donor-paid fee model depending on which they feel will offer the best value. With a mobile app for convenient campaign management and professional support available to some users, Enthuse caters to a wide range of fundraising needs.

Subscription Fee: Various options from £240 + VAT p.a.

Payment Processing Fee: 1.9% + 20p or higher

Voluntary Contribution: Yes, Fixed Fee, or Donor Pays the Fee

Gift Aid: Yes

Event Ticketing: No

Professional Support: Some

Mobile App: Yes

Does the fundraising platform have a fee?

• GoodHub: GoodHub does not charge a subscription fee, making it an attractive option for organisations looking to minimise overhead costs.
• JustGiving: JustGiving does have a subscription fee ranging from £150 to £468 + VAT, depending on the plan chosen.
• GoFundMe: GoFundMe does not charge a subscription fee, making it appealing for individual fundraisers and small organisations.
• Crowdfunder: Crowdfunder does not have a subscription fee, but it imposes a payment processing fee of 1.9% + 20p or higher, depending on the nature and scale of the project.
• Enthuse: Enthuse offers various subscription options starting from £240 + VAT per annum.

Does the fundraising platform offer real customer support?

• GoodHub: Yes! This is where GoodHub truly stands out from the rest of the fundraising platforms. It provides dedicated UK-based client success managers to offer professional guidance and support to users throughout their fundraising journey.
• JustGiving: JustGiving does not offer dedicated professional support to its users.
• GoFundMe: GoFundMe primarily relies on its online help centre and resources for user support.
• Crowdfunder: For larger fundraisers exceeding £50,000, Crowdfunder offers professional support to guide organisations through the campaign process. However, this level of support may not be available for smaller projects.
• Enthuse: Enthuse offers some level of professional support to its users. However, the extent of support may vary depending on the subscription plan chosen.

Are team fundraising projects an option on the fundraising platform?

• GoodHub: GoodHub supports team fundraising projects, allowing multiple individuals to collaborate on a single campaign.
• JustGiving: Yes, JustGiving enables users to create team fundraising projects, facilitating collaboration among team members to achieve common fundraising goals.
• GoFundMe: GoFundMe allows users to create team fundraising projects, empowering groups of individuals to rally together and support causes they care about collectively.
• Crowdfunder: Crowdfunder supports team fundraising projects, making it possible for groups of individuals to come together and pool resources to achieve fundraising targets.
• Enthuse: Enthuse provides the option for team fundraising projects, allowing multiple users to participate in a campaign and contribute towards shared objectives.

Does the fundraising platform have a mobile app?

• GoodHub: Yes, GoodHub offers a mobile app for convenient campaign management on the go. Users can track donations, communicate with supporters, and monitor campaign progress from their mobile devices.
• JustGiving: JustGiving provides a mobile app that enables users to manage their campaigns, share updates, and engage with donors directly from their smartphones or tablets.
• GoFundMe: GoFundMe offers a mobile app that allows users to create, manage, and share fundraising campaigns from their mobile devices. The app provides access to key features and functionalities for seamless campaign management on the move.
• Crowdfunder: Crowdfunder does not currently have a mobile app available for users.
• Enthuse: Yes, Enthuse offers a mobile app that empowers users to manage their fundraising campaigns anytime, anywhere.

Fundraising Made Easy with GoodHub

At GoodHub, we aim to provide you with a fundraising platform that redefines what it means to give. We’ve established a giving culture focused on genuine effect, driven by our vision, and we think that every act of generosity, no matter how little, has the capacity to create great change.

So, if you’d like to make a difference today, come join us in our mission to give better. To register your charity or non-profit, or to donate or fundraise for a worthy cause, just hop onto the GoodHub platform or get in touch with one of our friendly support team members.