Charity Fundraising Sites for UK Organisations: Choosing the Right Setup

Charity fundraising sites give UK organisations a practical way to collect donations, manage campaigns and give supporters more opportunities to take part online.

But not every fundraising site is designed for the same purpose.

Some focus mainly on online donations. Others are designed around events, auctions, raffles, ticketing or several fundraising activities working together. The right choice depends on how your organisation raises money, how supporters prefer to participate and what your team needs to manage behind the scenes.

For UK charities, schools, clubs and community organisations, choosing between charity fundraising sites should therefore begin with the campaign rather than the technology.

This guide explains the main types of fundraising sites, what to consider before choosing one and how to find a setup that works for both your organisation and your supporters.

What Are Charity Fundraising Sites?

Charity fundraising sites are online fundraising platforms that allow organisations and fundraisers to raise money digitally.

Depending on the platform, supporters might be able to make a donation, purchase an event ticket, bid in an auction, enter an eligible raffle or participate in another fundraising activity.

Some charity fundraising sites specialise in one particular type of fundraising. Others provide several tools that can be combined within the same campaign.

For a small charity running an occasional appeal, a straightforward donation page might be enough.

A charity organising an annual gala dinner may need a more complete setup that manages event tickets, guest information, donations, auctions and raffles.

Understanding that difference is important when deciding which type of site suits your organisation.

Start With the Type of Fundraising You Actually Do

Before comparing features, look at how your organisation currently raises money.

Think about your main fundraising activities over the course of a typical year.

If most of your campaigns involve straightforward donations, your requirements may be relatively simple. You need an easy way for supporters to understand the cause and make a contribution.

If events are an important part of your fundraising calendar, your requirements may be different.

You might need to sell individual tickets and tables, manage guests, collect donations during the event and run an auction or raffle.

Schools and community organisations may have different requirements again. A school could run a summer fair, Christmas raffle, fundraising dinner and several smaller appeals throughout the year.

Choosing a fundraising site around your real campaign activity can prevent you from paying for features you rarely use or discovering later that an important feature is missing.

Charity Fundraising Sites for Online Donations

Donation campaigns are one of the most straightforward forms of online fundraising.

A charity fundraising site should make it easy to create a campaign that explains what the organisation is raising money for and gives supporters a clear way to contribute.

The donation journey matters.

Someone who decides to give should not have to work through unnecessary pages or confusing instructions before completing their donation.

The campaign should also work properly on mobile devices because supporters may arrive after clicking an email, social media post, WhatsApp message or QR code.

Look at the experience from the supporter's perspective rather than concentrating entirely on the organiser dashboard.

A fundraising site may have an impressive range of administrative features, but those features matter less if supporters find the donation process difficult.

Charity Fundraising Sites for Events

Fundraising events can involve considerably more than collecting donations.

A charity dinner, gala, golf day or community fundraiser may involve ticket sales, tables, guest registration, donations, auctions and raffles.

Using separate systems for each activity can create additional administration.

Organisers may need to move information between different platforms, reconcile several payment sources and explain different processes to supporters.

For event-led fundraising, consider whether a site can bring the main parts of the campaign together.

Supporters could purchase their tickets before the event, access the fundraising campaign from their phones when they arrive and continue participating throughout the evening.

The fundraising site then becomes part of the event experience rather than simply somewhere people visit to make a donation.

Charity Fundraising Sites for Auctions

Auctions can be an important part of charity dinners, balls, golf days and other fundraising events.

A digital auction allows supporters to browse lots and submit bids using their own phones.

When comparing charity fundraising sites for auctions, consider the complete bidding journey.

Supporters should be able to understand what is available, see relevant information about each lot and place a bid without unnecessary difficulty.

For organisers, useful features may include bid management, bidder notifications, payment handling and tools for displaying auction activity during an event.

It is also worth considering whether the auction needs to operate only during the physical event.

Opening bidding in advance can give supporters more time to explore the available lots, whilst an online campaign may also allow people who are not attending the event to participate where appropriate.

Charity Fundraising Sites for Raffles

Raffles are widely used by UK charities, schools, clubs and community groups, but online raffles need to be approached carefully.

The requirements can depend on how and where tickets are sold, when the draw takes place and the type of lottery being operated.

If an organisation intends to sell raffle tickets online or in advance of an event, it should understand the relevant requirements before launching the campaign.

A fundraising site that include raffle functionality can provide the technology for ticket sales and the draw, but the organisation remains responsible for making sure its fundraising activity meets the applicable requirements.

For organisations that regularly combine raffles with other activities, it may be useful to have raffle ticketing within the same campaign as donations, auctions or event tickets.

This gives supporters one place to participate and can make administration easier for the fundraising team.

Consider the Supporter Experience

It is easy to compare charity fundraising sites entirely from the organisation's perspective.

However, supporters are the people who will actually use the campaign.

Ask how quickly someone can understand what they are supporting.

Can they participate without downloading additional software? Is the site easy to use on a phone? Are payment instructions clear? Can they easily find the activity they want to take part in?

Every additional step introduces another opportunity for someone to stop.

This is particularly important at physical events.

A guest at a charity dinner may be talking with friends, listening to a speaker or eating whilst also trying to place an auction bid or make a donation.

The fundraising technology needs to work around the event rather than demand the guest's full attention.

Check How Payments Are Handled

Payment handling is another important difference between charity fundraising sites.

Organisations should understand where supporter payments go after a transaction is completed.

Some fundraising setups may involve funds being held for a period of tme before they are paid out to the charity. Other arrangements can send payments through a connected payment account.

Neither should be treated as a minor technical detail.

Your finance team needs to know when funds are expected, how transactions appear in reporting and how payments can be reconciled after a campaign.

Before choosing a site, understand the complete payment journey from the moment a supporter pays to the point where the funds become available to your organisation.

Understand the Complete Cost

The headline price does not always explain the complete cost of running an online fundraiser.

Depending on the fundraising site and payment arrangement, there may be platform charges, payment processing costs, subscriptions or other fees.

Some platforms may also give supporters the option to contribute towards certain costs.

Look at how the pricing model works for the type and scale of fundraising you expect to run.

A pricing structure that works well for a large annual event may not necessarily suit a small community fundraiser, and vice versa.

It is also important that supporters can clearly understand any relevant fees associated with their payment.

UK fundraising guidance places importance on transparency around fees when supporters are directed to online fundraising platforms.

Think About Gift Aid

Gift Aid is another consideration when evaluating charity fundraising sites in the UK.

Eligible charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs may be able to claim Gift Aid on qualifying voluntary donations when the appropriate requirements are met.

However, not every payment made during a fundraising campaign is a donation.

Payments for event tickets, raffle tickets and certain auction transactions can be treated differently.

If Gift Aid is important to your organisation, check what donor information the fundraising site can collect and how that information can be accessed for your organisation's Gift Aid process.

Your team should understand which transactions may qualify and which do not rather than treating every campaign payment in the same way.

Look at Mobile Fundraising

Mobile accessibility should be a priority when comparing charity fundraising sites.

Supporters increasingly encounter fundraising campaigns through their phones.

A guest might scan a QR code at an event. A parent could open a school fundraiser shared through a messaging group. A supporter might discover a campaign from an email or social post.

The experience should work comfortably on a smaller screen.

Campaign information needs to be readable, buttons easy to select and payments straightforward to complete.

For event fundraising, mobile access can be particularly useful because supporters already have the device they need in their pocket.

Before launching a campaign, test it on different mobile devices rather than relying only on the desktop view used by your fundraising team.

Consider Branding and Campaign Presentation

Your fundraising site represents your organisation when supporters arrive at the campaign.

The design does not need to be complicated, but supporters should be able to recognise who is running the fundraiser.

Look for the ability to add your organisation's name, logo, campaign images and information about the cause.

For sponsored events, you may also want to recognise organisations that have supported the fundraiser.

Consistent presentation can help the campaign feel connected to the organisation rather than appearing as an unrelated payment page.

The campaign message remains more important than decorative design, though.

A simple page that clearly explains the cause will usually be more useful than a visually busy page that makes the purpose difficult to understand.

Look at Reporting and Campaign Management

The supporter-facing campaign is only one side of a fundraising site.

Your team also needs to manage what happens behind it.

Consider what information is available during and after a campaign.

For example, organisers may need to review donation activity, ticket purchases, auction bids, raffle sales or other transactions.

For events, guest information may also need to be managed before people arrive.

Useful reporting can make it easier to understand how the campaign performed and reconcile activity after it ends.

Think about who within your organisation will actually use these reports.

A fundraising system should provide the information your team needs without making routine tasks unnecessarily difficult.

Consider Support Before You Need It

Support can be easy to overlook when everything is working properly.

It becomes much more important when something goes wrong shortly before or during an event.

If your organisation runs live fundraising events, consider what type of support is available when campaigns are active.

A technical question during a weekday planning session is one thing. A problem during a Saturday evening charity dinner is another.

Check what help is available, how you can contact the support team and whether assistance is appropriate for the times your organisation typically fundraises.

For volunteer-led organisations, accessible support can also make it easier for new team members to learn how to manage a campaign.

Decide Whether You Need One Tool or Several

Some charities are comfortable using separate platforms for different fundraising activities.

Others may prefer to manage more of their fundraising through one system.

There is no universal answer.

If your organisation only runs donation appeals, a specialist donation tool may meet your requirements.

If you regularly organise events involving ticketing, auctions, raffles and donations, managing separate platforms for each activity may create extra work.

Think about what happens behind the scenes.

How many accounts does your team need to manage? How many sets of reports need to be reviewed? How many different payment processes do supporters encounter?

Bringing several activities into one campaign can simplify things, but only when the platform supports the fundraising methods your organisation actually uses.

Think Beyond Your Next Campaign

The immediate fundraiser is important, but it should not be the only consideration.

Look at the activities your organisation expects to run over the next year.

Perhaps you currently need an online donation page but plan to introduce a charity dinner later. A school might begin with a raffle before organising a larger fundraising event. A club may want to add auctions or ticket sales as its fundraising programme grows.

You do not need to choose technology based on every possible future idea.

However, understanding your realistic plans can help avoid changing platforms every time your fundraising programme develops.

Charity Fundraising Sites for Small UK Organisations

Small charities, schools and community groups often have different priorities from large organisations with dedicated fundraising departments.

Ease of use can be particularly important.

The person managing the campaign may be a volunteer, trustee, teacher, parent or committee member rather than a full-time fundraising professional.

Complicated systems can create unnecessary work for teams that already have limited time.

Small organisations should therefore consider how quickly campaigns can be created, how much technical knowledge is required and what help is available when questions arise.

Pricing should also make sense for the scale and frequency of fundraising activity.

The most feature-heavy platform is not necessarily the most appropriate choice. The right option is the one that gives your organisation the tools it genuinely needs without making the campaign harder to manage.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Charity Fundraising Site

Before committing to a fundraising site, make sure your team understands what it needs from the platform.

Start with the fundraising activities you plan to run.

Then consider how supporters will access the campaign, how payments will work, which fees may apply and what information your organisers need afterwards.

For UK organisations, Gift Aid and the requirements around activities such as raffles may also need to be considered.

The objective is not to find a platform that claims to do everything.

It is to find a fundraising setup that fits your organisation.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Fundraising Site

One common mistake is choosing a platform based entirely on price.

Cost matters, but a cheaper option may not be good value if it cannot support the campaign you need to run. A free platform with suggested tips may be perfect to run an online silent auction but not be the right fit for a gala dinner with a ticket price of £250.

Another mistake is concentrating on organiser features whilst overlooking the supporter experience.

Your team may only use the administration area occasionally. Supporters experience the fundraising page every time they participate.

Organisations can also underestimate how many different tools they are using.

A separate system for donations, another for ticketing and another for auctions may appear manageable individually, but together they can create additional reporting and payment administration.

Finally, do not wait until the day of an event to test the fundraising journey.

Run through the complete experience beforehand using the same type of device a supporter is likely to use.

Using GalaBid for UK Fundraising

GalaBid provides UK charities, schools, clubs and community organisations with tools for running several types of fundraising campaign.

Organisations can manage donations, silent and live auctions, eligible raffles and event ticketing within the same fundraising environment.

For event-based campaigns, supporters can use their own phones to participate, allowing guests to bid, donate or take part in other fundraising activities without downloading an app.

Online payments are processed through the organisation's connected Stripe account, rather than GalaBid holding campaign funds.

For eligible voluntary donations, organisations can also collect the donor information required to support their own Gift Aid process.

This approach can be particularly useful for UK organisations running fundraising events where donations, auctions, raffles and ticketing need to work together rather than operating as completely separate campaigns.

Choose a Fundraising Site That Fits Your Organisation

The right charity fundraising sites are not necessarily those with the longest list of features.

The better question is whether the platform fits the way your organisation actually raises money.

Start by identifying your main fundraising activities. Consider what supporters need to do, how payments should be handled and what your team needs to manage.

Then look at practical considerations such as mobile usability, fees, reporting, Gift Aid information, campaign branding and available support.

For organisations running several fundraising activities, consider whether bringing them together could reduce unnecessary administration and create a simpler supporter experience.

Choosing the right setup at the beginning gives your team more time to concentrate on the campaign itself rather than managing the technology behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charity Fundraising Sites

What are charity fundraising sites?

Charity fundraising sites are online platforms that help charities and other organisations raise money digitally. Depending on the platform, they may support donations, fundraising events, auctions, raffles, ticketing and other campaign activities.

How do I choose a charity fundraising site in the UK?

Start with the fundraising activities your organisation actually runs. Then compare mobile usability, fees, payment handling, reporting, supporter experience, Gift Aid requirements and any tools needed for events, auctions or raffles.

Can small charities use online fundraising sites?

Yes. Charity fundraising sites can be used by organisations of different sizes. Small charities should pay particular attention to ease of use, pricing, available support and whether the platform includes the specific tools they need.

Can a charity fundraising site handle events?

Some fundraising sites provide event-focused features such as ticket sales, guest management, donations and auctions. If events form a major part of your fundraising strategy, check whether these activities can work together within the same campaign.

Can UK charities claim Gift Aid on online donations?

Eligible UK charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs may be able to claim Gift Aid on qualifying voluntary donations when the relevant requirements are met. Not every campaign payment qualifies, so organisations should check the current HMRC rules.

Can charity fundraising sites be used for raffles?

Some platforms support online raffles, but organisations must make sure their raffle meets the applicable UK requirements. Using fundraising software does not remove the organiser's responsibility for compliance.

What should I look for in charity fundraising sites?

Consider the supporter experience, mobile access, fundraising features, fees, payment processing, reporting, branding, support and how well the platform matches your organisation's campaign types.

Ready to Plan Your Next UK Fundraising Campaign?

Whether you're organising an online appeal, charity dinner, auction, raffle or another fundraising event, choosing the right setup can make the campaign easier for your team to manage and simpler for supporters to take part.

GalaBid brings donations, auctions, event ticketing and raffles together, giving UK organisations flexible options for different types of fundraising campaigns.

Explore GalaBid's fundraising pricing options and find the setup that works for your next UK campaign.