How to collect money online
Collecting money online is a fast and efficient way for someone to gather funds from various people, and online platforms are there to do the heavy lifting for you and make it easier for donors to find you and contribute to your cause. This guide will offer up a breakdown of how to collect money online and how to set up a fundraiser with GoFundMe.
Collecting money online
Collecting money online means using a website, or an app, to gather donations or shared payments. It takes away the need to handle cash, and it keeps a clear record of payments. You can share a link, or a QR code, and people can give from anywhere, at any time. Online tools include public fundraising pages, group pots, and small collection links, which makes collecting money online easier for things like events, gifts, and causes.
Benefits of online money collection
There are four main benefits to online money collection; namely: speed, transparency, safety, and record keeping. It’s faster than in-person money collection because you’re able to reach so many people in one place. Keeping your funds secured on the platform is safer than cash in hand. GoFundMe makes the money collection transparent, with progress bars, updates, and public comments, and we also keep a report of donations that you can download at any stage.
Online fundraising makes it easier to reach people beyond your local area, and is an excellent choice for things like medical costs, school funds, community projects, and group gifts. For ideas on events, and virtual donations, look at GoFundMe’s fundraising ideas pages.
Ways to collect money online
Below are the main types of online collection, and when to use each one.
Online collection pots
An online collection pot is a shared link where each person adds money to the same pot. It works well for leaving gifts, staff collections, class presents, or small group events. Each donor can add any amount, and the organiser withdraws the total to buy the gift or pay the bill. A collection pot works best when the group knows each other, and you want a single, simple place to give.
Online donations
Online donations are public fundraising pages that anyone can support. They are best for wider appeals, local causes, or personal help with bills or medical costs. A public page lets you tell a story, add photos, and post updates, and is easy to share on social media, with email, and in messages. GoFundMe has many tips for writing a good story, and for sharing your page.
Online group donations
Group donation tools let many people chip in, while one person organises the final payment. Group donations suit things like team goodbyes, joint gifts, and pooled charity collections at work, and helps keep the contribution process clear, and lets the organiser manage the final purchase or payment.
Collecting money for a gift
If you plan on collecting money for a gift, make sure you set a clear target and give a deadline, as well as what the gift will be and who will receive it. Share the link in a group chat, by email, and on posters with a QR code. After you buy the gift, post an update and a photo so contributors can see how their money was used.
How does online fundraising work?
Online fundraising starts when an organiser makes a page on a fundraising site like GoFundMe, sets a goal, and writes a short story. Donors can pay with a card, or a digital wallet, and the platform records each gift. The site handles payment processing and fraud checks, and it moves funds to the organiser’s bank account on request. This means donors never need to give card details directly to the organiser, and money can come from people far away.
Setting up an online fundraiser with GoFundMe
Head over to the Start a GoFundMe section of the site, choose a clear title, set a realistic target, and write a short story that explains the need clearly. Add a strong photo, and use the first few lines to tell the audience what the most important facts are. Post updates as the fundraiser grows, and thank donors publicly to keep momentum. Share your link on social media, in email, and in private messages. For tips on promoting your page online, use GoFundMe’s step-by-step guide to promotion, and check the fundraising ideas pages for virtual events you can run.
GoFundMe doesn’t charge to create a page, but there is a small transaction fee per donation that covers payment processing, and the rest goes to the fundraiser. Check the pricing page to show donors the fee information on your site, and to plan how much you expect to receive after fees.
Use templates and tools on the site to make shareable images, and to create posts for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you plan a virtual event, add the link to your event page and make sure attendees can donate during the event. GoFundMe has a list of virtual fundraising ideas for the UK, and it gives examples you can copy.
Best ways to collect money online
Collecting money online is an easy way to raise funds for many needs, and it is now common for schools, workplaces, churches, community groups, and families to use it. Pick the right method for your cause, use clear text and a good photo, and share the link widely. Use online tools like a public fundraiser page, an online collection pot, or a group donation tool, and you will reach more donors, faster.
Public donation pages work best when you need many donors from different places, while online collection pots work best for small groups who know each other, and who want one easy link.
Group donation tools work best when one person will buy the gift or pay the bill, and virtual events are a good way to combine fundraising with a fun activity, and they can bring in extra donations if you offer small ticketed items or suggested donation levels.
Online money collection: FAQs
How do online fundraisers work?
You will be able to set up a fundraising page on the GoFundMe site where anyone who has the link can donate to your cause. Create a page, write a short honest story, set a goal, and share the link. Donors pay online, and the platform moves funds to your bank account when requested.
Can anyone set up an online fundraiser?
Yes, GoFundMe lets any adult set up a fundraiser. You must follow the site rules, give honest details, and provide ID if the site needs it to set up transfers.