Options for Individual Fundraisers
Try to sign up for most fundraising platforms and you will hit the same wall: a form asking for your charity registration number. No ABN with DGR status, no 501(c)(3) letter, no Charity Commission number? Application declined.
That leaves a lot of genuine fundraisers with nowhere to go. GalaBid takes a different approach. Individuals and informal groups can run auctions, raffles, ticketed events and donation campaigns without registered charity status.
Who fundraises as an individual?
Not every good cause is a registered charity. Some of the most common fundraisers we see are run by people, not organisations:
- Medical and hardship fundraisers. Friends and family raising money for treatment costs, recovery expenses or a household hit by illness or accident.
- Memorial fundraisers. Communities coming together after a loss to support a family or fund something in someone's memory.
- Sports clubs and teams. Local clubs raising money for equipment, travel or facilities. Many are incorporated associations or informal groups, not registered charities.
- School parent groups. P&Cs, PTAs and parent committees running trivia nights and auctions where the legal entity behind the event is unclear or informal.
- Community projects. Playground upgrades, disaster response for a specific family, funding a local event.
The cause is legitimate. The people are trustworthy. But on most platforms, none of that matters if you can't produce a charity registration number.
Why most platforms only accept registered nonprofits
There are practical reasons behind the restriction, and it helps to understand them before choosing a platform.
Their business model depends on it. Platforms built around tax-deductible receipting need a registered charity on the other end. Some, like Zeffy, are explicitly limited to registered nonprofits and verify status at signup. For a full breakdown of how these platforms compare, see GalaBid vs Zeffy vs Givebutter.
They hold the money. Many platforms collect funds into their own account, then pay out later. Holding money on behalf of unverified individuals creates fraud and compliance risk, so they avoid it by excluding individuals entirely.
Verification is easier for charities. A charity register gives platforms a simple way to check who they are dealing with. Verifying an individual takes more work, so many platforms simply don't.
The result is a market where donation-only crowdfunding sites accept individuals but offer no event tools, and event fundraising platforms offer auctions and raffles but only to registered charities. If you are an individual who wants to run an auction, you fall in the gap.
How GalaBid works for individual fundraisers
GalaBid closes that gap because of how the money flows. Funds raised through your campaign go directly into your own Stripe account. GalaBid never holds, delays or touches your money. You connect your account, verify your identity with Stripe (a standard requirement for anyone receiving payments), and funds settle to you as they are raised.
That structure means GalaBid can support individuals and informal groups with the same tools registered charities use:
- Silent auctions. List items, take bids from any phone, and notify winners automatically. No app download for bidders. New to auctions? See our guide on how to run a silent auction.
- Live auctions. Run a live auction at a dinner or event with real-time bidding on screen.
- Raffles. Sell tickets online with automated draws, where your local rules permit (more on that below).
- Donation pages. A simple page for one-off or recurring donations toward your cause.
- Ticketing. Sell tickets to a fundraising dinner, trivia night or community event.
You can run one of these or combine them in a single campaign. A memorial fundraiser might pair a donation page with a silent auction of donated items. A sports club might run ticketing and a raffle for the same event.
A note on raffles and compliance
Raffle rules are set by state and national regulators, and they often distinguish between charitable and personal fundraising. In some jurisdictions, individuals can run small raffles freely. In others, a permit is required, or raffles are restricted to approved organisations.
GalaBid provides the raffle technology, but responsibility for meeting local rules sits with the organiser. Before selling raffle tickets, check the requirements in your state or country. If raffles are restricted where you are, a silent auction or donation campaign usually achieves the same goal without the licensing question.
How GalaBid compares for individuals
Donation-only sites like GoFundMe do accept individuals, and they work well if all you need is a donation page. Where GalaBid is different is event fundraising. If your plan involves an auction, a raffle or a ticketed event, donation-only platforms can't run it and most auction platforms won't accept you. For a wider look at free options, see our comparison of free silent auction software.
Getting started as an individual fundraiser
- Create your campaign. Set up your page with your story, photos and a fundraising goal.
- Connect Stripe. Verify your identity and link the bank account where funds should land.
- Add your fundraising tools. Auction items, raffle tickets, donation options, event tickets, or a mix.
- Share the link. Supporters participate from any phone. No app, no account creation for donors.
- Receive funds directly. Money settles to your Stripe account as it comes in, not weeks later.
There is no charity verification step because there is no charity requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use GalaBid if I'm not a registered charity?Yes. Individuals, community groups, sports clubs and informal committees can all run campaigns. You need a Stripe account, which handles identity verification and payouts. Registered charities and schools are welcome too, of course. Australian organisations can read our guide to the best fundraising platform for Australian nonprofits and schools.
Can donors claim a tax deduction?Generally no. Tax-deductible receipts require donations to a registered charity with the right status in your country. If deductibility matters to your donors, partner with a registered charity, otherwise be upfront that donations are gifts.
When do I receive the money?Funds go directly to your connected Stripe account as transactions occur, then settle to your bank on Stripe's standard payout schedule, typically within a few days.
Can I run a raffle as an individual?It depends on your location. Raffle and lottery rules vary by state and country, and some require permits or restrict raffles to approved organisations. Check your local rules first. Auctions and donation campaigns are usually simpler alternatives.
Does GalaBid take a cut of what I raise?GalaBid charges platform fees and standard payment processing applies, but funds are never held by GalaBid. See our pricing page for current details.