Summary
There is no single “best” fundraising platform for all NGOs. The right choice depends on your goal (one-time emergency fund vs long-term donor cultivation), audience (domestic individual donors vs international supporters), and capacity (do you have staff for campaign promotion and fulfillment?). That said, a short list of 10 platforms covers the most useful options for Indian NGOs in 2026 — from low/no platform fees (Milaap, Ketto, Donatekart) to international reach (GlobalGiving) and payment infrastructure (Razorpay Payment Pages). Below we compare fees, features, and ideal use cases so you can pick the platform(s) that match your mission and team.
How We Chose These Platforms
We prioritised platforms that:
-
Serve NGOs in India (registration or NGO products available)
-
Offer transparent fee models or NGO discounts, and
-
Cover a spectrum of needs: peer-to-peer crowdfunding, in-kind support, domestic donation pages, and international donor access. Where possible, we cite each platform’s own pricing/documentation pages so you can verify terms. (Links are provided in the comparison table.)
Quick Comparison Table — Fees, Core Features, Best Use Cases
Load-bearing platforms and fee notes below are taken from each platform’s official help/pricing pages (see citations). Fees and processing charges evolve; confirm current terms before launching a campaign.
| Platform | Typical fees / commission* | Core features | Best use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| GiveIndia | No platform retention; payment processing charges often apply (platform documents reference ~3% processing). NGOs may have onboarding/listing terms. | Curated NGO marketplace, payroll & corporate giving integrations, recurring giving. | NGOs seeking trusted marketplace & corporate channels. |
| Ketto | Often markets 0% platform fee for fundraisers; payment gateway/processing fees apply. Check plan details. | Crowdfunding (medical, education, NGOs), campaign support, pages & outreach tools. | Rapid public campaigns, emergencies, high high-visibility social fundraising. |
| Milaap | 0% platform fee model (platform relies on voluntary tips/donations; gateway charges still apply). | India-focused crowdfunding; fast withdrawals; community giving. | Medical/emergency fundraisers and grassroots campaigns in India. |
| DonateKart | Free basic model (0%); premium/accelerated plans with platform fees (e.g., ~7%) for visibility; product-donation model. | In-kind/product donations, campaign management, tracking. | NGOs needing in-kind supply drives (school supplies, medicines) and product tracking. |
| GlobalGiving | Nonprofit support fee typically 5–12% plus ~3% payment processing fee (varies by country/transaction). | International donor reach, vetted NGO network, corporate CSR projects. | NGOs seeking international donors, large grants, or global exposure. |
| ImpactGuru | Platform often advertises 0% platform fee options; other plans, donor tips, or payment processing fees may apply (check T&Cs). | Health & NGO crowdfunding, donor tips model, campaign support. | Medical crowdfunding and cause campaigns with optional donor tips. |
| Fueladream | Charges platform/contract fees (historically ~6% plus processing; some fixed advance fees for campaigns). | Crowdfunding and project financing with managed campaign support. | Structured, managed campaigns where upfront support is acceptable. |
| Razorpay Payment Pages / Payment Gateway | Payment gateway charges (typical domestic UPI ~0–1.5% or platform rates; card fees higher — see Razorpay pricing). No platform crowdfunding fee — you control page/flows. | Payment pages, payment links, 80G receipt automation, full control over donation pages. | NGOs that want self-hosted donation pages, control over donor data and recurring gifts. |
| Paytm for Donations / Paytm Helping Hand | No visible platform fee for donors; payment processing charges depend on payment methods and agreements. | Wide UPI and wallet reach, easy QR and UPI collections. | Local fundraising, QR/UPI campaigns, and event or street-level collections. |
| Give.do / Local CSR or Bank Platforms | Varies: some bank/corporate portals charge minimal platform fees or none for CSR payroll; the model depends on the partnership. | Employer giving, payroll deductions, and institutional donor channels. | NGOs aiming to access workplace giving and CSR funding flows. (Check partner banks/portals.) |
*Notes: “Typical fees” above combine platform retention and payment processing charges. Many platforms advertise “0% platform fee” but still pass payment gateway fees (usually ~1–3% depending on gateway and payment method). Always confirm with the platform at campaign launch.
Questions NGOs Must Ask Before Choosing a Platform
-
Who’s your target donor? (domestic individuals, diaspora, corporate CSR, international philanthropists)
-
Do you need in-kind fulfilment or cash donations? (Donatekart for products vs GiveIndia/Milaap for cash)
-
How important is international reach? (GlobalGiving opens overseas donors)
-
How much support do you need for campaign promotion and verification? (Platforms vary in hand-holding)
-
What are your reporting & compliance needs? (80G receipts, FCRA compatibility for foreign funds)
Deep Dive — Platform by Platform (Features, Fees, and Practical Tips)
1. GiveIndia — Curated Marketplace for Indian NGOs
Why consider it: GiveIndia is one of India’s most-recognised donation marketplaces and is trusted by donors and corporates. It offers recurring giving and corporate partnerships. GiveIndia’s materials indicate limited platform retention; primary charges are payment processing and platform terms for NGO onboarding. For many NGOs, GiveIndia adds credibility and access to donors who prefer vetted partners.
Best for: NGOs looking for credibility, recurring donors, and workplace giving integrations.
Tip: Check listing/onboarding terms and whether GiveIndia’s verification meets your reporting needs.
2. Ketto — High-Visibility Crowdfunding for Urgent Causes
Why consider it: Ketto markets itself as a 0% platform fee crowdfunding site for fundraisers in many campaigns, focusing on high-visibility causes including health, education, and disaster relief. It provides campaign pages, storytelling templates, and promotional tools.
Best for: Time-sensitive or high-emotion campaigns (medical emergencies, relief drives) that can be amplified through social networks.
Tip: Prepare strong storytelling assets and a distribution plan — Ketto helps with reach, but you still need to mobilise networks.
3. Milaap — Zero Platform Fee, India Focus
Why consider it: Milaap explicitly advertises a 0% platform fee for donations, relying on voluntary tips and covering payment processing separately. It is widely used for medical, education, and grassroots campaigns and allows quick campaign setup.
Best for: Emergency fundraising and campaigns targeting donors who prefer simple, India-centric platforms.
Tip: Encourage supporters to leave voluntary tips to support the platform and ensure smooth withdrawals.
4. Donatekart — Product / In-Kind Donation Specialist (0% Basic)
Why consider it: Donatekart’s model focuses on in-kind/product donations (donors buy items from a wishlist that are shipped to NGOs). It offers a free model for NGOs and paid visibility options. This reduces misuse and improves traceability for supply-led campaigns.
Best for: NGOs that need items (medical supplies, school kits) rather than cash.
Tip: Use Donatekart when logistics and inventory management are clear — it reduces the complexity of cash use.
5. GlobalGiving — International Reach, Institutional Donors
Why consider it: GlobalGiving connects vetted NGOs to international donors, corporate partners, and grant opportunities. It retains a nonprofit support fee (commonly in the 5–12% band) plus payment processing fees — a trade-off for access to global funding and donor networks.
Best for: NGOs ready to engage international supporters, report rigorously, and meet vetting standards.
Tip: Ensure your project reporting and financial transparency are ready before applying; GlobalGiving offers training for partners.
6. ImpactGuru — Health & Cause Crowdfunding (Variable Fees)
Why consider it: ImpactGuru often promotes 0% platform fee models supported by donor tips, though some T&Cs and service fees can apply depending on services or payment methods. It’s known for medical crowdfunding and cause campaigns in India and Southeast Asia.
Best for: Medical fundraising and cause campaigns where peer-to-peer sharing will amplify reach.
Tip: Clarify the exact fee structure for NGO fundraisers (some advanced services or “managed” campaigns may have fees).
7. Fueladream — Structured Crowdfunding with Managed Support
Why consider it: Fueladream provides managed campaign services with associated fees (historical references show contract fees and processing charges). Their model suits organisations that prefer hands-on campaign management.
Best for: NGOs that want an agency-style, managed fundraising campaign and can budget for platform/contract fees.
Tip: Treat Fueladream like a paid campaign partner — set clear deliverables and KPIs.
8. Razorpay Payment Pages / Payment Gateway — Self-Hosted Donation Control
Why consider it: Razorpay isn’t a crowdfunding marketplace — it is a payment gateway with donation-friendly features (payment pages, payment links, automated 80G receipts), letting NGOs own donor data and control the donor experience. Pricing follows Razorpay’s transaction fees rather than platform commissions.
Best for: NGOs with websites or social channels ready to drive traffic to owned donation pages, recurring gifts, and donor data capture.
Tip: Use Razorpay when you want control over messaging, attribution, and donor CRM integration.
9. Paytm for Donations / Paytm Helping Hand — UPI & Mass Reach
Why consider it: Paytm’s donation features make it easy to collect UPI and wallet donations at scale, and it’s a good option for QR/UPI-focused drives and local fundraising. Transaction charges and exact terms vary; many NGOs pair Paytm with other platforms.
Best for: Street drives, events, and QR/UPI campaigns where convenience and reach matter.
Tip: Use Paytm QR codes for offline-to-online flows and combine with email or WhatsApp follow-up.
10. Give.do / Bank & Corporate CSR Portals — Workplace and CSR Channels
Why consider it: Employer giving platforms, bank donation portals, and CSR intermediaries can channel sizable funds via payroll giving and CSR budgets. Fees and models vary by partner; their reach into corporate channels is the main benefit.
Best for: NGOs pursuing CSR partnerships and workplace giving programs.
Tip: Build case studies and impact reports that speak to CSR KPIs (employment, skill development, measurable beneficiaries).
Practical Checklist — How to Run a Platform-Smart Campaign
-
Map the objective (awareness, one-time emergency, sustained monthly donors).
-
Select 1–2 platforms that align to the objective and capacity (marketplaces for reach; Razorpay or owned pages for control).
-
Confirm fees and payout timelines (withdrawal timelines vary by platform and payment method).
-
Prepare verification and compliance (80G and FCRA if you expect foreign funds).
-
Create campaign assets (storyline, images, impact metrics, beneficiary consent).
-
Plan a distribution calendar (email, social, influencers, corporate partners).
-
Ensure good donor experience (receipts, timely reports, stewarding).
Common Mistakes NGOs Make (and How to Avoid Them)
-
Choosing platforms by fees alone. Lower fees don’t matter if your audience isn’t there — pick for reach + fit.
-
Running one-off campaigns without stewardship. Convert first-time donors into repeat supporters with follow-ups and reports.
-
Ignoring payout and refund policies. Know how long funds take to reach your account.
-
Not testing donation flows. Run a test donation from a personal account to ensure receipts and data capture work.
Final Thoughts
In 2026, Indian NGOs have more fundraising options than ever — from zero-fee crowdfunding to international donor marketplaces and self-hosted payment pages. The smartest approach is not “use everything” but “use the right thing.” Choose platforms that align with your campaign objective, audience, and operational capacity. For discovery and ongoing donor relationships, combine a marketplace (GiveIndia/GlobalGiving) or crowdfunding platform (Milaap/Ketto/ImpactGuru) with owned donation infrastructure (Razorpay/Paytm) if you can. This hybrid approach gives reach, credibility, and control — the three pillars for sustainable fundraising.
Key Takeaways
-
Check fees, withdrawal timelines, and verification before launching.
-
Use marketplaces for reach, donation pages or gateways for control.
-
Match platform type to fundraising objective: product needs > DonateKart; emergency medical > Milaap/Ketto; international donors > GlobalGiving.
