The whole point of fundraising is to gather lots and lots of donations for an important cause. But the truth is that many free fundraising sites cost money.
Between platform, subscription, and donor fees, “free” fundraising sites usually take a hefty percentage of funds that could support your cause instead.
You’re here because you want to use every donation fully. And for that, you need an alternative to those costly platforms.
But which site is the best free fundraising website? Is there a fundraising site that doesn’t charge fees?
This article explores seven free fundraising sites, including Braid Money Pools. Have you heard of them?
Braid is a fresh new way to collect, manage, and spend donations for free. But don’t take our word for it. See how Braid compares to other platforms and how you can raise much-needed funds for your important cause.
Contents:
- Is there a free version of GoFundMe
- Is there a fundraising site that doesn’t charge fees?
- Are there any free fundraising sites?
- How to set up free fundraising with Braid Pools
- What fundraising platform takes the least money?
- What is the best free fundraising website?
Is there a free version of GoFundMe?
GoFundMe is the world’s largest crowdfunding platform, and it’s also where some fundraisers go viral and raise tens of millions of dollars. But is it the best option for you?
GoFundMe automatically deducts a 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee from every donation. The trade-off? Being able to reach more people and have a super successful fundraiser. But many people tell a different story.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of fundraisers get buried on the massive site. Some never raise a single dollar. Why? GoFundMe hosts your fundraiser, but it doesn’t promote it. The chances of standing out are slim.
Is there something like GoFundMe that doesn't charge fees? Is there a fundraising platform with no fees?
Discover how to raise money with Braid for free. Click here to learn more.
Is there a fundraising site that doesn’t charge fees?
A quick overview of free fundraising sites reveals that they all charge fees. So the better question is, what fundraising platform takes the least money?
Here is how seven free fundraising sites compare. Check it out:
Let’s explore three things in this chart.
1. “Payouts require a third-party payment processor”
This means that platforms host the fundraiser but require you to have an account with a third-party payment processor, like Stripe or PayPal, to receive payouts.
This could force you to create another account so you can get a hold of your donations. It also might force you to mix contributions with personal funds once you get them.
Using Braid, you can transfer funds directly to your bank account without another payment processor. What’s more, you can spend funds directly from your Braid Pool for free with the debit card that comes with it.
2. “Raising requirements”
A raising requirement means you must reach your goal to receive donations. Otherwise, donors get their money back, and you leave your campaign empty-handed.
Braid is different. With zero caps or minimums, you get to raise as much as possible and keep 100% of your pool for your important cause.
3. Braid and donor fees
You’ll notice that compared to every other platform. Braid is the only one with zero donor fees. That’s because, with Braid, every debit card contribution is free, and only credit card contributors pay a 3% + $0.30 transaction fee.
Are you curious to learn more about Braid’s free offerings? Please keep reading to discover them.
Are there any free fundraising sites?
Braid is the only place to collect, manage, and spend donations for free. There are only two instances where Braid charges a fee, and we’ll show you what they are below, along with how you and your donors can avoid them.
How to set up free fundraising with Braid Pools
1. Set up your Braid Pool in 5 minutes or less
Many fundraising platforms have a lengthy setup process, and you need to know how to embed links, place widgets, or create a landing page.
With Braid, you don't have to worry about any of that. You can set up your pool in 5 minutes or less. Just follow the prompts to quickly create a compelling Braid Pool so you can start collecting donations immediately. It’s so easy that you’ll feel like you’ve done it before.
2. Keep pools open as long as necessary
Braid Pools have zero time limits or deadlines, allowing you to raise and spend funds without pressure.
3. Manage your pool and donations with others
Whether raising funds for a family member, nonprofit, or personal cause, you may want help managing donations. Take advantage of Braid’s pool member option and invite friends, family, or colleagues to co-manage the pool with you. It doesn’t cost anything to create pool members and share management tasks.
4. Collect donations for free with Pool Links
Once you create your pool, customize your unique Pool Link. That way, people know exactly what it’s for and where it’s taking them. Your Pool Link can look like braid.co/p/Mom's-Medical-Bills or braid.co/p/Refugee-Charity-Drive.
Once ready, share your Pool Link anywhere to collect donations: in emails, on social media, embedded in websites, via text messages, as a QR code, etc.
The best part about your Pool Link? It’s the only thing donors need to donate. They don't need a Braid account, and they don’t have to figure out a new platform.
They only need your Pool Link to make a fee-free debit card contribution. Donors only pay a 3% + $0.30 fee if they donate with a credit card. The good news? No matter how donors contribute, you never pay a transaction fee.
5. Keep 100% of your donations
Braid never takes a percentage of the money you collect. Plus, with zero raising requirements, you keep 100% of the funds raised.
6. Spend donations directly
Your Braid Pool has a free digital debit card to spend pool funds without transferring them to a bank account. There are zero transaction, monthly, or maintenance fees, and you can put every penny to good work with your Braid card.
7. Transfer donations to a bank account
You can also send pool funds to a bank account for free using regular transfers. Or, transfer funds in minutes with Instant Send for a small 1.75% fee.
Instant Send fees are the only fee you pay as the pool creator, and fortunately, you can avoid it altogether using regular transfers.
Start your free Braid Pool and start collecting donations today. Click here to learn more.
What fundraising platform takes the least money?
It’s unavoidable. Free fundraising sites have fees. Some charge platform fees, and others dock payouts with third-party transaction fees. But what fundraising platform takes the least money from your campaign?
Braid Money Pools are the only fundraising tool where you can raise money without spending money. Here’s how:
Firstly, encourage donors to contribute with a debit card to avoid the 3% + $0.30 credit card fee. The good news is, even if people donate by credit card, you never absorb the fees; donors do.
Secondly, use regular transfers to send pool funds to a bank account. This way, you never pay the 1.75% convenience fee with Instant Send.
What is the best free fundraising website?
Let’s ask a different question: Which fundraising website gives you the best value for the fees you pay?
Kickstarter might be the best place for fundraisers that need a raising requirement. Collecting worldwide donations might make Donorbox’s platform and donor fees worth it to others.
But what are you looking for?
Are you looking for free fundraising sites that are truly free?
With Braid Pools, you can raise money without spending a dime. And zero debit card fees makes this free peer-to-peer fundraising platform an attractive choice for donors.
The best part? You never settle for less with Braid:
- Confidently navigate Braid’s fresh, intuitive interface and know precisely how to use it whether you consider yourself app-savvy or not. If you have questions, get speedy support at our Online Help Center.
- Whether donors pay with debit or credit car, Pool Links provide a quick and easy way to contribute without signing up for anything.
- You enjoy simpler bookkeeping and donation disbursement because every donation stays in your dedicated money pool, and Braid never takes a percentage.
- Experience peace of mind because Braid uses best-in-class security and compliance practices, keeping every donation safe and secure.
Whether managing an ongoing campaign or time-sensitive fundraisers, keep 100% of your donations for what matters most with Braid Pools.
