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Tools for Nonprofits

Givebutter Ultimate Review: What You Need to Know [2024]

March 3, 2024
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Pros Cons
✅ Free with optional tips from donors ❌ Tipping is required in order for the platform to be free
✅ Feature packed ❌ No online store capabilities
✅ Intuitive ❌ No lottery capabilities
✅ Responsive customer service

What is Givebutter?

Givebutter is an online fundraising platform designed to help individuals, groups, and nonprofits raise money for various causes and projects. It offers a range of tools and features for creating customizable donation pages, organizing fundraising events, and collecting donations from supporters.

Is Givebutter legit?

Givebutter is a legitimate platform. It has gained recognition and positive reviews from users and organizations for its user-friendly interface, transparent fee structure, and efficient fundraising capabilities. 

Givebutter has facilitated millions of dollars in donations for various causes and has established partnerships with reputable organizations around the world.

Is Givebutter really free?

Givebutter is free if optional tips are enabled, and donors choose to cover the platform fees (1–5%) and processing fees (2.9% + 30¢).

Givebutter compared to the best fundraising platforms

How does Givebutter compare to Zeffy?

Givebutter and Zeffy are incredibly similar: both platforms are trusted by thousands of nonprofits to help create lasting impact, without paying too much (or anything) in fees. Plus, both platforms offer similar features and tools for all-in-one nonprofit management. 

However, while both platforms are feature-packed, Zeffy offers a few more bells and whistles, like tools for hosting a lottery, creating an online shop, and managing memberships. 

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Zeffy GiveButter
Features • Donor management
• Marketing tools
• Fundraising tools
• Membership management
• Ecommerce tools
Event management
Raffle and lottery capabilities
• Donor management
• Marketing tools
• Fundraising tools
• Event management
• Auction management
Fees None Processing fees of up to 2.9% + 30¢ and a platform fee of 1–5% (which can be covered by donors)
G2 rating 4.9/5 4.7/5

📣 Compare Zeffy to Givebutter

How does Givebutter compare to Classy?

Givebutter and Classy are both all-in-one nonprofit platforms — both offer donor management, marketing and engagement, and fundraising tools to help organizations succeed. However, all of Classy’s features come with a hefty price tag in comparison to Givebutter.

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Classy GiveButter
Features • Donor management
• Marketing tools
• Fundraising tools
• Event management
• Crowfunding
• Auction management
• Donor management
• Marketing tools
• Fundraising tools
• Event management
• Crowfunding
• Auction management
Fees Classy donation fees are 4% per transaction.
Platform fees start at $299 per license each month.
Processing fees of up to 2.9% + 30¢ and a platform fee of 1–5% (which can be covered by donors)
G2 rating 4.4/5 4.7/5

How does Givebutter compare to GoFundMe?

GoFundMe is a great place to collect donations and is a perfect tool for sharing a campaign far and wide. However, when comparing features, Givebutter has much more to offer. Givebutter includes access to donor management tools, more customization features, marketing tools, and so much more.

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GoFundMe GiveButter
Features • Fundraising tools
• Donation management
• Donor management
• Marketing tools
• Fundraising tools
• Event management
• Auction management
Fees 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
+ Voluntary “tips” collected from donors to cover platform fees.
Processing fees of up to 2.9% + 30¢ and a platform fee of 1–5% (which can be covered by donors)
G2 rating 3.2/5 4.7/5

The pros and cons of Givebutter

Key benefits of using Givebutter for your nonprofit

Givebutter offers a user-friendly interface, customizable donation pages, and efficient fundraising tools, making it easy for individuals and nonprofits to raise money for various causes. Their features range from peer-to-peer fundraising to automated emails to help nonprofits maximize donor engagement and campaign success

The downsides of Givebutter

Donors have the option to cover the processing fees for you. But, if they don’t, the nonprofit gets charged. Givebutter claims that 95% of donors cover these fees.

When optional tips are disabled, Givebutter also charges a 1-5% platform fee. Givebutter claims that 88% of donors cover these fees.

Givebutter reviews

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Platform Rating
Capterra 4.8
G2 4.7
Truspilot 3.8
Getapp 4.8
Software Advice 4.8

What Givebutter’s users are saying

Cost

“I am also appreciative of the small percentage Givebutter takes from our fundraising efforts compared to other platforms.” —Annie B.

“We needed a low-cost, user-friendly fundraising platform to help us reach some financial goals. The structure of Givebutter's processing fee + tips makes it so donors can choose how they want to handle their transactions, and minimizes the overhead we have to pay to raise funds.” —Jillian H.

Customer Service

“But the best part about Givebutter is their team. I've never experienced such top-notch customer service. You can tell they come from nonprofit backgrounds because they all truly care and are so knowledgeable. I can't praise them enough.” —Dana H.

Features 

“Considering the amount of features available, I find myself continuously suprised that this is completely free. CRM capabilities, robust donation widgets, campaign pages, custom fields, import/export options, text-to-donate, and a lot more.” —Drew F.

Ease of use

“Super easy to configure, they have an incredible team who help orient new clients to get fundraisers online fast.” —Laura F.

Negative Givebutter reviews 

“With it being a new platform it does not have all of the bells and whistles of other platforms. If you are looking for more nuanced needs to be met, you might have a better experience with a paid subscription platform.” —Brandy S.

“Fees of the platform are higher than others we've used in the past and there seems to be another fee for every time anything is done through the platform.”  —Dylan D.

“I would love more instruction on how to use the campaigns, as it doesn't always feel straightforward. More information on the features available would be helpful.” — Kory M. B.

Should you use Givebutter as a nonprofit?

Guevbutter is a great option for small nonprofits who want a platform to fundraise, manage donors, and run events, all in one place. Their beloved customer service, easy-to-use interface, and minimal processing fees (which can be covered by donors) make it a great fit for nonprofits that want to get started quickly, without any of the costs.

Zeffy offers most of the same powerful and easy-to-use features — from customizable donation forms to automated emails and tax receipts. However, Zeffy offers a few more bells and whistles, like lottery tools, specific membership management tools, and the ability to create an online shop.

Compared to other platforms, Zeffy is one of the best fundraising sites available.

Givebutter reviews FAQ

What is Givebutter?

Givebutter is an online fundraising platform that enables individuals, groups, and nonprofits to raise money for various causes and projects. It offers tools and features for creating customizable donation pages, organizing fundraising events, and collecting donations from supporters.

Is Givebutter legit?

Givebutter is a legitimate platform that has gained recognition and positive reviews for its user-friendly interface, transparent fee structure, and efficient fundraising capabilities. It has facilitated millions of dollars in donations for various causes and has established partnerships with reputable organizations and institutions.

Is Givebutter safe?

Givebutter is safe to use. The platform prioritizes the security and privacy of its users' data. It implements industry-standard security measures.

Does Givebutter take a percentage?

Givebutter charges processing fees of up to 2.9% + 30¢, which can be covered by donors. If optional tips are disabled, Givebutter charges a platform fee of 1–5%, which can also be covered by donors.

Are Givebutter donations tax deductible?

Whether donations made through Givebutter are tax deductible depends on the nonprofit status of the organization receiving the donations and the applicable tax laws in the donor's jurisdiction. Many nonprofits registered as 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States are eligible to offer tax deductions for donations, but donors should consult with a tax professional for guidance specific to their individual circumstances.