Top Free Fundraising Sites for Individuals and the Best WordPress Donation Plugins
In today's digital age, raising funds for personal causes, emergencies, or creative projects has become easier than ever. Whether you're dealing with unexpected medical bills, launching a new artistic endeavor, or helping someone in need, there are several free fundraising sites for individuals that can help you achieve your goals without high fees. Additionally, if you’re running a website, using the best donation plugins for WordPress can maximize your fundraising potential.
In this article, we’ll explore the best fundraising platforms for individuals, highlight their unique features, and show you how to integrate donation tools directly on your WordPress site.
Why Use Fundraising Sites for Individuals?
Fundraising websites allow individuals to share their stories, connect with potential donors, and securely collect contributions online. Unlike traditional fundraising methods, online platforms offer:
Easy setup and sharing options
Access to a global donor base
Secure payment processing
Real-time progress tracking
Whether you need help covering personal expenses or supporting a loved one, these platforms empower anyone to start collecting funds quickly.
Best Fundraising Platforms for Individuals (Free & Easy to Use)
Here’s a roundup of the best fundraising platforms for individuals that charge little to no platform fees and are known for their ease of use and reliability.
1. WhyDonate
WhyDonate is one of the leading free fundraising sites for individuals across Europe and beyond. It allows users to create personal fundraising pages within minutes and supports multiple currencies and languages.
Key Features:
No platform fees for individuals
Ideal for personal, medical, or emergency fundraisers
Mobile-friendly donation pages
Supports recurring donations
Bonus: WhyDonate also offers options for nonprofits and team fundraising, making it a versatile platform for all types of fundraisers.
2. GoFundMe
GoFundMe is a household name in the personal crowdfunding space. It’s especially known for personal emergencies, medical bills, and community-based initiatives.
Key Features:
Zero platform fees in most countries
Strong brand recognition and donor trust
Social media sharing integration
Dedicated customer support
While GoFundMe does take payment processing fees, it remains one of the most popular choices for individuals seeking fast and trusted fundraising options.
3. Fundly
Fundly is a flexible platform for both individuals and organizations. It is easy to customize and doesn’t require technical skills to launch a campaign.
Key Features:
No minimum fundraising requirements
Visual storytelling through photos and videos
Blog-style updates to keep donors engaged
Fundly is ideal for those who want a highly visual and interactive fundraising page.
4. Donate Kindly
Donate Kindly is another option for individuals or small nonprofits who want a quick way to accept donations online.
Key Features:
100% free donation platform
No hidden fees or contracts
Simple setup process
Embeddable donation widgets
This platform works great for people with basic fundraising needs and a tight budget.
Best Donation Plugins for WordPress
If you already own a WordPress website or blog, adding a donation form can significantly boost your fundraising potential. Let’s look at the best donation plugins for WordPress that integrate seamlessly with your website.
1. WhyDonate
WhyDonate is the most popular and feature-rich WordPress donation plugin. It offers free and premium versions that support everything from simple donations to advanced fundraising campaigns.
Features:
Multiple payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, etc.)
Custom donation forms
Recurring donation options
Real-time reporting dashboard
Whether you're a solo fundraiser or part of a larger team, GiveWP is scalable and incredibly user-friendly.
2. Charitable
Charitable is a lightweight plugin that focuses on simplicity and speed. The free version includes unlimited fundraising campaigns, and it doesn’t charge any transaction fees.
Features:
PayPal integration included in the free version
GDPR-ready and secure
Campaign goal tracking
Custom email notifications
It's perfect for individuals looking to embed donation functionality on their site without any hassle.
3. WP Crowdfunding by Themeum
If you want a full-featured crowdfunding experience on your site, this plugin is the way to go. Built on WooCommerce, WP Crowdfunding allows backers to support various types of campaigns.
Features:
Stripe, PayPal, and WooCommerce Payments supported
Front-end submission options
Native wallet system
Reward-based crowdfunding
This plugin is ideal for creative projects and peer-to-peer fundraising directly from your WordPress site.
4. Donorbox
Donorbox is a powerful donation tool that can be embedded into WordPress with just a few lines of code. It’s known for its flexibility and donor management tools.
Features:
Recurring donations with multiple intervals
Multiple currencies and languages supported
Employer gift matching options
Secure SSL/TLS encryption
Though it’s not exclusively a WordPress plugin, Donorbox offers an easy and effective way to fundraise through your website.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're starting from scratch or already have a website, there are plenty of free fundraising sites for individuals and donation plugins that make raising money easier than ever. Choosing the best fundraising platforms for individuals ensures you maximize your reach and donation potential, while the best donation plugins for WordPress help you collect funds directly through your website.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one fundraising experience, WhyDonate stands out as a top choice with zero platform fees and an intuitive interface.
FAQs
1. What is the best free fundraising site for individuals?
WhyDonate and GoFundMe are two of the best free fundraising platforms. WhyDonate stands out with its no-platform-fee policy and strong European presence.
2. Can I use a WordPress plugin to collect donations?
Yes! Plugins like GiveWP, Charitable, and Donorbox make it easy to collect donations directly from your WordPress site.
3. Are there any fees for using fundraising platforms?
Most platforms do not charge platform fees but may charge payment processing fees (typically around 2.9% + $0.30 per donation). Always review each platform's fee policy before choosing.
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