6 Best Snap Raise alternatives for nonprofits to raise more

That’s where Snap Raise alternatives come in. There are plenty of online fundraising platforms that help organizations run fundraising campaigns, engage donors, and maximize donations—but not all of them offer the same level of service, transparency, and ease of use. Some platforms take big transaction fees, while others don’t provide the tools you need to build strong donor relationships.

If you’re looking for a fundraising platform designed to make your life easier, Harness is the best choice. Unlike most platforms, we don’t just give you the tools—we actually partner with you to help you succeed. With Harness, you get expert guidance, automated fundraising tools, and a user-friendly system that makes it simple to reach your goals. And the best part? You keep more of the funds raised because we don’t take a cut of your donations.

Why consider alternatives to Snap Raise?

Snap Raise is a well-known online fundraising platform, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for everyone. Many schools, teams, and nonprofits start with Snap Raise only to realize that hidden fees, limited flexibility, and lack of hands-on support make it harder to reach their fundraising goals.

Here are the biggest reasons why organizations look for Snap Raise alternatives:

High platform and transaction fees

One of the biggest complaints about Snap Raise is the cut they take from donations. Fundraising efforts take time and energy, so it’s frustrating when a big chunk of your funds raised goes to the platform instead of your cause. Many alternatives—like Harness—offer transparent pricing with no surprise fees, ensuring more of your money stays with you.

Limited control over your fundraiser

Snap Raise controls how long your fundraiser runs, how donations are processed, and even how donor data is handled. If you want a more flexible, user-friendly fundraising platform, you’ll need an alternative that gives you more say in how your campaign works.

No hands-on support

Most fundraising platforms give you the tools, but they don’t give you real guidance on how to use them. If you’re running a fundraiser, you don’t just need software—you need a fundraising partner. Harness is the only platform that provides expert support every step of the way, helping you strategize, engage donors, and maximize donations.

Lack of donor engagement tools

Successful fundraisers aren’t just about collecting donations—they’re about building relationships with supporters. Snap Raise focuses on one-time giving, but if you want a platform that helps you turn one-time donors into lifelong supporters, you’ll want to explore alternatives like Harness, which offers personalized engagement tools to keep donors connected to your cause.

Snap Raise alternatives for fundraising success

If you’re a nonprofit looking for a Snap Raise alternative, you have plenty of options—but not all fundraising platforms are built with your needs in mind. Some charge high platform fees, while others lack the tools to engage donors long-term. The key is finding a fundraising platform designed to help you raise money sustainably—not just for one campaign, but for the future of your organization.

To help you decide, we’ve rounded up the best nonprofit fundraising platforms based on pricing, donor engagement, and overall ease of use. Let’s start with the only platform that combines powerful fundraising technology with expert support to help nonprofits succeed.

1. Harness – The only fundraising platform that truly partners with you

Most online fundraising platforms give you a set of tools and leave you to figure things out on your own. Harness is different. It’s the only Snap Raise alternative that acts as a true fundraising partner, providing both the technology and expert guidance to help your nonprofit succeed.

Why nonprofits choose Harness

• No platform fees eating into your donations – Unlike platforms that take a cut of your funds raised, Harness lets you keep 100 percent of your donations. Instead, it offers a simple monthly subscription, so your nonprofit keeps more of what you raise.
  
  
• Expert support every step of the way – Running a fundraiser isn’t just about having the right tools—it’s about knowing how to use them effectively. With Harness, you get strategic fundraising support from real experts who work alongside your team.
  
  
• Powerful donor engagement tools – One-time gifts are great, but long-term donor relationships are even better. Harness helps turn one-time donors into recurring supporters with smart automation, impact storytelling, and engagement tools that keep people connected to your mission.
  
  
• A fundraising platform designed for nonprofits – While many platforms focus on sports teams or school fundraisers, Harness was built with nonprofits in mind. That means its features—like recurring donations, impact messaging, and automated donor follow-ups—are all designed to help your nonprofit grow sustainably.
  
  

2. 99Pledges – A simple pledge-based fundraising platform

99Pledges is a pledge-based fundraising platform designed for groups that want a quick and easy way to raise money. It’s most commonly used by sports teams and school programs, but nonprofits can also use it for events like walk-a-thons, read-a-thons, and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.

Why some nonprofits choose 99Pledges

• No upfront costs – 99Pledges does not charge a platform fee, so nonprofits can start a campaign for free. However, credit card processing fees still apply.
• Simple, pledge-based model – Supporters commit to donating a set amount based on an action, like laps run or pages read.
• Easy setup – Organizations can quickly create a campaign, share it online, and collect donations.

Where 99Pledges falls short

• No real fundraising support – 99Pledges provides the technology, but nonprofits are on their own when it comes to strategy, donor engagement, and long-term fundraising planning.
• Limited campaign types – The platform is designed for pledge-based events, which may not be the right fit for all nonprofit fundraising efforts.
• Transaction fees still apply – While there are no upfront costs, payment processing fees take a percentage of every donation.

3. GoFundMe – Best for one-time crowdfunding campaigns

GoFundMe is one of the most well-known online fundraising platforms, often used for personal fundraisers, emergency relief, and community causes. While nonprofits can use it, it’s not designed for long-term fundraising or donor engagement.

Why some nonprofits choose GoFundMe

• No platform fee for standard donations – GoFundMe does not take a percentage of funds raised, though transaction fees still apply.
• Large donor network – Since GoFundMe is a well-known brand, fundraisers have the potential to reach a large audience.
• Easy to use – Setting up a campaign is simple, and fundraisers can start collecting donations almost immediately.

Where GoFundMe falls short

• No donor engagement tools – GoFundMe is built for one-time fundraising, meaning it lacks the tools needed to turn one-time donors into recurring supporters.
• No hands-on support – Unlike Harness, which provides strategic guidance, GoFundMe offers only basic customer service with no real fundraising expertise.
• Limited customization – Organizations have little control over branding, donor communication, and campaign management.

4. Vertical Raise – A fundraising platform with built-in outreach tools

Vertical Raise is another Snap Raise alternative that focuses on digital fundraising through email and social media outreach. It’s primarily used by sports teams, music programs, and school groups, but some nonprofits also use it for peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.

Why some nonprofits choose Vertical Raise

• Automated outreach tools – Vertical Raise helps organizations send personalized emails and social media messages to potential donors.
• Simple setup – Campaigns are easy to create, and the platform provides ready-to-use templates for outreach.
• Donation tracking – Organizations can see which outreach efforts are bringing in the most donations.

Where Vertical Raise falls short

• High platform fees – Vertical Raise takes a percentage of donations, meaning nonprofits lose part of the funds they raise.
• No long-term donor engagement tools – Like Snap Raise, Vertical Raise focuses on one-time fundraising campaigns, rather than building lasting donor relationships.
• Limited support – The platform offers tools but doesn’t provide hands-on fundraising guidance like Harness does.

5. RallyUp – Best for creative and event-based fundraising

RallyUp is a fundraising platform designed for nonprofits that want to go beyond traditional donations. It offers unique fundraising options, including raffles, sweepstakes, auctions, and crowdfunding, making it a good choice for organizations that want to engage donors in interactive ways.

Why some nonprofits choose RallyUp

• Wide variety of fundraising options – Nonprofits can host raffles, sweepstakes, auctions, and more to raise money.
• No platform fees for standard donations – Organizations can start fundraising for free, but credit card processing fees still apply.
• Event-based fundraising tools – Great for nonprofits that rely on fundraising events to engage their supporters.

Where RallyUp falls short

• Complex setup – With so many different fundraising options, the platform can be overwhelming for organizations that just need a simple solution.
• Limited donor retention tools – RallyUp focuses on one-time events, so it lacks features that help nonprofits build long-term donor relationships.
• No hands-on fundraising support – While the platform offers tools, nonprofits are responsible for managing their own fundraising strategy.

6. Zeffy – A 100 percent free fundraising platform

Zeffy is a donation-based fundraising platform that stands out because it doesn’t charge platform or transaction fees. Instead of taking a percentage of donations, Zeffy relies on optional donor contributions to cover its costs. This makes it an attractive option for nonprofits that want to maximize every dollar raised.

Why some nonprofits choose Zeffy

• No platform or transaction fees – Organizations keep 100 percent of their donations.
• Basic fundraising tools – Offers options for peer-to-peer fundraising, ticketed events, and recurring donations.
• Simple setup – Nonprofits can launch a fundraiser quickly without worrying about hidden costs.

Where Zeffy falls short

• Limited donor engagement tools – While Zeffy offers fundraising features, it doesn’t have the automation tools needed to build lasting donor relationships.
• No hands-on support – Unlike Harness, which provides strategic fundraising guidance, Zeffy is self-service only.
• Relies on donor tipping – Since Zeffy operates on optional contributions, there’s no guarantee that its model will remain sustainable long-term.

How to choose the right fundraising platform for your needs

With so many Snap Raise alternatives available, how do you know which one is best for your nonprofit? The right choice depends on your organization’s goals, donor engagement strategy, and long-term fundraising needs. Here are the key factors to consider before making a decision.

Platform fees vs. transaction fees

Some fundraising platforms charge a percentage of every donation, while others have monthly subscriptions or optional tipping models. It’s important to understand how much of your donations you actually keep. If you want to maximize every dollar raised, look for a platform that doesn’t take a cut of donations, like Harness or Zeffy.

Hands-on support vs. self-service platforms

Many platforms provide the technology, but few offer real fundraising guidance. If your nonprofit needs strategy, donor engagement advice, and ongoing support, a platform like Harness—which partners with you every step of the way—is the best choice.

Donor engagement and retention tools

Raising money isn’t just about one-time donations—it’s about building lasting relationships with donors. Some platforms, like GoFundMe and Vertical Raise, focus on short-term campaigns. Others, like Harness, provide automation tools to turn one-time donors into long-term supporters.

Ease of use and setup time

If you need to launch a fundraiser quickly, platforms like 99Pledges and Zeffy offer simple, no-frills setups. However, if you want customization, automation, and long-term growth tools, platforms like Harness provide more flexibility without making things complicated.

Customization and branding options

Some platforms limit how much control you have over your campaign’s branding and messaging. If your nonprofit wants to build a strong brand and keep donor data for future campaigns, look for a platform that lets you customize donation pages, emails, and donor interactions.

The best solution for your fundraising efforts

Choosing the right fundraising platform isn’t just about raising money—it’s about finding a solution that helps your nonprofit grow, engage donors, and fundraise sustainably. Many platforms offer basic tools, but they leave you to figure everything out on your own. Harness is different. Unlike other platforms that take a percentage of your donations or offer little to no support, Harness provides everything you need to run a successful fundraiser, plus the expert guidance to help you every step of the way.

With Harness, you keep 100 percent of your donations and get the fundraising strategy, automation, and donor engagement tools to build long-term success. From recurring giving programs to automated donor follow-ups, Harness makes fundraising easier, more effective, and stress-free. If you’re tired of fundraising platforms that take a cut of your funds, limit your control, or leave you guessing, it’s time to switch to a true fundraising partner.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Snap Raise alternative for nonprofits?
The best alternative depends on your needs, but Harness is the top choice for nonprofits looking for a true fundraising partner. Unlike other platforms, Harness provides expert support, automation tools, and donor engagement strategies to help nonprofits grow.

Do all Snap Raise alternatives charge platform fees?
No, some platforms like Zeffy and 99Pledges don’t charge platform fees, but they may still have transaction fees or limited fundraising tools. Harness operates on a simple monthly subscription, so nonprofits keep 100 percent of their donations while gaining expert guidance and automation tools.

How does Harness compare to free fundraising platforms?
Free platforms often lack hands-on support, donor engagement tools, and automation. Harness is different because it combines technology with expert strategy, helping nonprofits increase donor retention, automate giving, and raise more money over time.

Can I use social media to promote my fundraising campaign?
Yes, most fundraising platforms allow you to share your campaign on social media, but some provide more built-in engagement tools than others. Harness helps nonprofits connect with donors through automated messaging, impact storytelling, and recurring giving programs to build long-term relationships.

What makes Harness different from other fundraising platforms?
Most platforms offer fundraising tools, but they leave you to manage everything on your own. Harness partners with nonprofits, providing expert strategy, automation, and donor engagement tools to help organizations raise more money with less effort.

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