The Ultimate Free Resource Library for Nonprofits & Startups
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This guide features 10 of the best free and low-cost fundraising tools for South African nonprofits in 2025, carefully selected for NPOs operating locally.
This guide features 10 of the best free and low-cost fundraising tools for South African nonprofits in 2025, carefully selected for NPOs operating locally. Whether you're searching for free donation software for events, tools to accept recurring donations in South Africa, or global fundraising platforms for local NGOs, there's an option here that fits.
Need help choosing or integrating donation tools?
Book a free 15-min clarity call or explore my services to improve your setup.
Top 10 Donation & Crowdfunding Platforms for South African Nonprofits in 2025
Finding funding is a perennial challenge for nonprofits and new ventures alike. These fundraising platforms and donation tools help you collect money online seamlessly – many offer special nonprofit rates or free services so more of each donation goes to your cause.
Description | South African crowdfunding platform tailored for local charities and individuals raising funds for community causes. |
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Benefits | Offers 0% platform fees for NPOs; uses a donor tip model; well-known in South Africa; boosts credibility and trust. |
Use-cases | Emergency appeals, health campaigns, social causes, community initiatives with local currency support (EFT, SnapScan, card). |
Register | Register your nonprofit on BackaBuddy and start a verified fundraising campaign. |
Description | International donation and peer-to-peer fundraising platform enabling South African nonprofits to reach a global donor base. |
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Benefits | Multi-currency donations, event-based fundraising integration, reduced NPO fees, access to global campaigns. |
Use-cases | Charity races, international fundraising drives, supporter-run peer campaigns, NGO events. |
Register | Apply as a charity under “Start Fundraising” on the GivenGain website. |
Description | A free-to-start online donation form tool with features for recurring donations, donor management, and website integration. |
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Benefits | No setup or monthly fees with tips enabled; supports cards, EFT, PayPal; customisable forms; integrates into any website. |
Use-cases | Monthly giving, digital-first fundraising campaigns, embedding custom donation forms. |
Register | Sign up at Donorbox.org, create your profile and embed your form. |
Description | 100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits with no transaction or payment processing fees at any level. |
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Benefits | Donor covers processing fees; robust features including tax receipts, peer-to-peer tools, CRM and event ticketing. |
Use-cases | Fee-free giving, event fundraising, small team donation tracking, donor communication. |
Register | Sign up directly at Zeffy (formerly Simplyk); always free for nonprofits. |
Description | A trusted South African payment gateway offering dedicated donation features for registered NPOs. |
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Benefits | No monthly fees; enables EFT, SnapScan, card payments; gets your NPO listed on their Cause Index for added visibility. |
Use-cases | Embedding donation buttons on your website, recurring gifts, local digital payments. |
Register | Apply online for a Cause Account with proof of NPO registration. |
Description | A mobile payment solution offering NPOs QR codes and links for quick, secure digital donations from any device. |
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Benefits | No integration needed; widely trusted in SA; accepts all major cards; ideal for events and offline fundraising. |
Use-cases | Mobile giving, event-based fundraising, QR code posters at community sites, social sharing. |
Register | Register a business account under “Accept Donations” to access tools. |
7. Thundafund
Description | South African crowdfunding platform for community and creative projects using a reward-based pledge model. |
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Benefits | Local support and guidance; flexible campaigns; strong community appeal; promotional reach through platform channels. |
Use-cases | Social enterprises, new product funding, education campaigns, public-benefit projects. |
Register | Apply via their website with a clear campaign, timeline and rewards structure. |
Description | A unique South African platform where 100% of donations go to vetted nonprofit projects, funded by corporate sponsors. |
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Benefits | No fees for NPOs; high-trust model; marketing exposure; internal donor network. |
Use-cases | Community infrastructure, clinics, education, small-scale capital projects. |
Register | Register and contact Different.org to submit your project proposal. |
Description | Mobile-first African donation platform supporting SMS fundraising, mobile wallets, and bank transfers. |
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Benefits | Effective for rural outreach; accepts mobile money; low barriers for participation; supports grassroots giving. |
Use-cases | Rural campaigns, youth-led appeals, church-based fundraising, WhatsApp donation drives. |
Register | Create a fundraiser and verify payout options for South Africa. |
Description | Global crowdfunding platform linking vetted nonprofits with international donors, grants, and matching campaigns. |
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Benefits | Increased credibility; access to global donor pools; capacity-building and visibility tools. |
Use-cases | International donor access, multi-currency giving, global partnership development. |
Register | Apply for the Accelerator Programme and meet minimum fundraising goals to join. |
Need a clearer donation strategy?
Book a free clarity call or request a Digital Systems Audit – and let’s get your fundraising stack working smarter, not harder.
Conclusion: Fundraising Tools that Work for South African NPOs
South African nonprofits face steep challenges: limited staff, stretched budgets, and complex donor needs. But with the right tools, even small teams can raise more with less effort.
This guide covered 10 reliable and affordable donation platforms that help local NPOs do just that – from mobile-first apps like SnapScan to global gateways like GivenGain and GlobalGiving. Each option offers unique strengths, depending on whether you need EFT donations, QR-code giving, recurring donor setups, or international fundraising tools.
If you're unsure which tools to use – or feel your current setup is underperforming – I offer audits and implementation support tailored to your budget, size and systems.
Let’s fix your donation flow together. Book a clarity call or explore our services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Civil Society Organisations
1. What makes philanthropy in South Africa unique?
Philanthropy in South Africa is unique due to its deep roots in the philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes generosity and interconnectedness. This has created a strong culture of individual and community giving. Today, this is blended with a growing trend towards strategic philanthropy, where donations are treated as investments designed to achieve measurable, long-term social impact rather than just short-term charity.
2. What is the role of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in South African philanthropy?
Corporate Social Investment (CSI) is a major force in the South African philanthropic landscape, with companies investing billions of rands annually (approximately R12.7 billion in 2024). It goes beyond compliance, with a significant focus on education, which receives nearly half of all CSI spend. CSI also includes non-cash donations like employee volunteering and pro bono services, playing a crucial role in funding and supporting the NPO South Africa ecosystem.
3. How is strategic philanthropy changing funding for NPOs in South Africa?
Strategic philanthropy is shifting how funding for NPOs works by moving beyond simple donations. It focuses on models like impact investing South Africa and venture philanthropy, which seek measurable social returns. This means philanthropic capital is now used more as a "catalyst" to de-risk innovative social enterprises, provide long-term mentorship, and attract larger, more conventional investments, ultimately helping NPOs achieve greater scale and financial sustainability.
4. What are the most effective ways for individuals to engage in philanthropy in South Africa?
Individuals can engage in South African philanthropy in several effective ways. Beyond direct donations, high-impact engagement includes skills-based volunteering, where professionals offer their expertise (e.g., legal, financial, marketing) to NPOs. Another powerful method is collective giving, where resources are pooled with others through informal groups like Stokvels or formal online crowdfunding platforms, amplifying the impact of smaller individual contributions.
