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The Best Free Online Fundraising Websites for Cause‑Driven Campaigns

If you’re planning a school raffle or charity event and already using Spin The Wheel for prize draws, here are the best free online fundraising platforms to help you reach your goal without paying platform fees. These top platforms let you keep 100% of donations (apart from modest payment‑processing charges). Here are the outstanding free options and why they shine.

1. Zeffy – 100 % free for nonprofits

Key benefits:

  • No platform fees, no credit‑card fees — zero fees whatsoever (zeffy.com)
  • Revenue covered via optional donor tips — nonprofits always receive 100% of every donation
  • All-in-one fundraising: donations, events, ticketing, raffles, memberships, and more in one platform
  • Trusted by over 50,000 organizations across North America

Why it’s great:

Zeffy is the only fundraising platform that covers all transaction and processing fees for nonprofits, so every dollar donated goes directly to the mission. For small and grassroots teams wearing every hat, Zeffy combines donations, event tools, and donor management into one simple, intuitive platform, saving time, eliminating costs, and building donor trust through total fee transparency.

2. Give Lively – UK/US nonprofits only

What makes it stand out:

  • Zero platform or subscription fees for registered nonprofits - although processing fees apply (givelively.org)
  • Transparent: no data selling, no hidden charges
  • Supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH transfers, credit cards — seamless donation experience

Why choose it:

Perfect for UK‑based charities (they recently expanded support beyond the US). Nonprofits keep all donations, apart only from minor card‑processing fees.

3. BetterWorld – Suite for nonprofits

Highlights:

  • Easy to use platform for fundraising where donation sites can be quickly built (betterworld.org)
  • Supports donations, auctions, ticketing, giveaways, peer‑to‑peer campaigns — all in one platform
  • Beautifully designed pages, automated payment receipts, easy export tools

Why consider it:

A versatile, feature-rich toolset for charities planning events, auctions or recurring donation drives.

4. FundRazr – Flexible and global

Noteworthy features:

  • Zero platform fee if you choose the free tier — you only pay standard Stripe or PayPal processing fees
  • Offers a variety of campaign types: peer‑to‑peer, wish‑lists, recurring giving, storefront, raffles, sweepstakes
  • Operates in 35+ countries including the UK

Best for:

Campaigns needing flexibility and international reach — good for charities and individuals alike.

5. 4fund.com – Peer‑to‑peer European friendly

Core strengths:

  • No commission or platform fees — entirely free to collect and withdraw funds (4fund.com)
  • Immediate payouts via multiple methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay, card, Revolut etc.)
  • Particularly popular in Europe (Poland‑based)

Ideal use:

Simple, quick fundraising efforts in Europe — such as personal causes or small community projects.

❌ What about GoFundMe, Kickstarter or Indiegogo?

Platforms like GoFundMe charge 2.9 % + £0.30 per donation for payment processing, though they let campaign organisers collect funds for free. Traditional crowdfunding tools like Kickstarter or Indiegogo take 5 % platform fee plus processing charges — so they’re not completely free. These are best suited to reward‑based or product projects, rather than pure donations.

How to choose the right platform

Are you a nonprofit?

— Zeffy, Give Lively and BetterWorld are built with charities in mind.

Do you need flexibility?

— FundRazr supports a wide range of campaign formats.

Is your cause personal or community‑based?

— 4fund.com is simple, European‑friendly and fast to set up.

Want to avoid all charges including processing?

— Zeffy can eliminate fees entirely via voluntary donor tipping.

Tips for fundraising success ✨

  • Tell a compelling story: campaigns succeed when narratives are clear, emotional, and include personal touches and face‑to‑camera photos.
  • Provide regular updates: fundraisers with frequent updates get significantly more support.
  • Encourage sharing early and often: campaigns shared at least six times in the early days raise up to 40 % more.
  • Use local networks: word‑of‑mouth, offline materials and community support make a vital difference.

Final recommendations

  • For UK‑based charities, Zeffy and Give Lively are top choices—no platform fees and trusted features.
  • If you want to maximise income with zero fees, Zeffy (where available) or BetterWorld offer great all‑round tools.
  • For international campaigns or private causes, FundRazr and 4fund.com provide excellent flexibility and global reach.

With these platforms, you can focus on your fundraising story—while keeping every possible penny for your cause.

Raffle Generator Wheels

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