99Pledges Review: Overview, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2025

Organizing fundraisers shouldn’t feel this overwhelming.

If you’re still juggling paper pledge sheets and cash bags, you know how stressful managing a school or team fundraiser can be—and what drives you to look for a better option.

In my analysis of 99Pledges, I found this: manual tracking creates donor confusion and endless follow-ups that waste your time with avoidable mistakes.

99Pledges aims to solve this by giving you a simple web platform for digital campaigns, real-time leaderboards, direct payment processing, and individual participant tracking—without needing tech skills or complex setup.

In this review, I’ll show you how 99Pledges removes unnecessary admin headaches so you can actually enjoy running your next fundraiser.

You’ll find everything you need in this 99Pledges review, from an overview of its features and pricing to pros, cons, and credible alternatives that I’ve compared head-to-head.

You’ll come away knowing the features you need to pick the right fit—saving your time and boosting donations.

Let’s dive into the analysis.

99Pledges Overview

I found 99Pledges has been around since 2012, based in Oakland. Their entire mission is to simplify pledge fundraisers, removing the hassle of paper forms and cash handling for you.

What sets them apart is their specific focus on schools, sports teams, and community groups. They really zero in on the non-technical volunteer or team coach who needs an effective tool that works immediately without a steep learning curve.

My 99Pledges review shows they have grown organically by staying true to their niche. You won’t find splashy acquisitions, just consistent, practical refinements to their core platform.

Unlike broader platforms like Givebutter, they are not an all-in-one fundraising system. My research shows their value is doing one thing extremely well: running simple ‘-a-thon’ pledge drives without the complexity of unneeded features.

They work with thousands of PTAs, school sports teams, and other community organizations. These are groups that value simplicity and a free tool over a sprawling, expensive feature set.

For groups looking to elevate their team’s skills, exploring online certification platforms can be highly beneficial.

What impressed me is how their business model directly aligns with your organization’s needs. Their free platform, supported by optional donor tips, removes the financial risk that often holds volunteer-run groups back from fundraising effectively.

Let’s dive into their core features.

99Pledges Features

Paper forms still slowing your fundraisers?

99Pledges features are designed to simplify pledge-based fundraising, helping schools and teams raise more with less effort. Here are the five main 99Pledges features that make a difference.

1. Simplified Campaign Setup

Tired of complicated fundraiser setups?

The initial administrative burden of starting a fundraiser can be overwhelming, especially for busy volunteers. This often leads to delays and frustration.

99Pledges lets organizers launch a new campaign page in under 15 minutes by providing basic details. From my testing, the speed of launching a campaign really impressed me; a non-technical volunteer can get a school-wide fundraiser operational in a single sitting.

This means you can get your fundraiser up and running rapidly, saving countless hours of administrative effort for your team.

2. Individual Participant Pages

Struggling to track individual donations?

Relying on a single “donate now” button can make it impossible to see who is truly driving donations. This often leaves participants unmotivated.

This is the core engine of 99Pledges: each participant gets a unique, shareable fundraising page. Here’s what I found: this feature empowers participants to become advocates by easily sharing personal links via email and social media.

This means you can easily track which participant is responsible for which donation, motivating them and simplifying prize fulfillment.

3. Integrated Donation Processing

Worried about payment processing hassles?

Setting up your own merchant accounts for online donations can be a significant technical and security hurdle for small, volunteer-run organizations.

This feature addresses a major pain point by handling all payment logistics, meaning you don’t need to manage complex systems:

• Accepts all major credit cards
• Secure, standard online checkout
• Funds directly deposited to your account

What you get instead is a secure, straightforward donation experience for donors, with funds automatically transferred to your organization’s bank account.

While we’re discussing financial management and donations, understanding accurate tax rates is equally important for compliance.

4. Real-Time Leaderboards

Need to boost fundraising motivation?

Without visible progress, participants and their families can lose interest, which often leads to lower overall fundraising totals for your event.

99Pledges automatically includes real-time leaderboards for individuals, classes, or grades to foster friendly competition. What I love is how this feature taps into competitive spirit to drive donations, significantly boosting engagement during your event.

This means you can significantly boost your final amount raised by keeping participants motivated and engaged throughout the campaign.

5. Basic Reporting & Payouts

Reconciliation a major headache?

Tracking who donated, how much, and to which participant for prize fulfillment and thank-you notes can be a tedious and error-prone process.

The platform provides simple, essential reporting, allowing you to download a spreadsheet with all donor and participant information. Here’s what I found: this 99Pledges feature provides exactly the data you need for immediate follow-up and simplified reconciliation.

This means you can easily manage prize distribution and send timely thank-you notes without getting bogged down in manual data entry.

What I love about these 99Pledges features is how they combine to create a coherent, easy-to-use fundraising workflow for volunteers. This eliminates administrative burdens, letting you focus on raising funds.

99Pledges Pricing

Unsure what their unique cost structure entails?

99Pledges pricing operates on a truly distinct model, making it free for organizations to use, while revenue is primarily generated through optional donor tips and standard payment processing fees. This sets a different context for your budget considerations.

1. Pricing Model & Cost Factors

A very transparent approach.

What I found regarding pricing is that 99Pledges charges your organization no platform fees, subscription costs, or percentage-based fees directly. Your costs are primarily payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction), which are standard for online donations via Stripe or PayPal. 99Pledges is funded by an optional donor tip presented at checkout.

This means your budget for the platform itself is $0, with only external transaction costs to consider.

2. Value Assessment & ROI

Significant value proposition for free.

From my cost analysis, 99Pledges offers immense value by eliminating traditional fundraising software costs entirely. For schools and sports teams, this means you retain more of every dollar donated, maximizing funds for your cause instead of paying platform overheads. It simplifies fundraising, boosting participation and reducing volunteer administrative burden significantly.

The result is your budget gets full benefit from donations, alongside streamlined operations compared to manual methods.

While we’re discussing streamlined operations, understanding robotic process automation software is equally important for broader efficiency.

3. Budget Planning & Implementation

Clear costs, but communicate clearly.

Understanding total cost of ownership here is straightforward: your main outgoing are the standard payment processing fees on donations. What I learned about pricing is that the optional donor tip is for 99Pledges, not your organization, which requires clear communication to avoid donor confusion. There are no hidden setup or usage fees.

So for your business, you can confidently budget based solely on donation processing costs and donor education.

My Take: 99Pledges’ pricing is exceptionally budget-friendly for small community groups, focusing on maximizing funds for the organization by offloading platform costs to optional donor contributions.

The overall 99Pledges pricing strategy reflects exceptional value for budget-conscious organizations.

99Pledges Reviews

What do real users experience?

My analysis of 99Pledges reviews delves into real user feedback, uncovering what actual customers truly think about this fundraising platform and its capabilities.

1. Overall User Satisfaction

Users are overwhelmingly positive.

From my review analysis, 99Pledges consistently earns high marks, averaging 4.9/5 stars on major review sites like Capterra and G2. What I found in user feedback is that simplicity and exceptional support resonate most, making it a standout for busy volunteers seeking efficiency.

This indicates you can expect a very smooth experience, especially if you’re new to online fundraising and value clear guidance.

2. Common Praise Points

Ease of use consistently delights.

Users repeatedly praise the platform’s ‘ease of use,’ reporting effortless campaign setup and management even without prior fundraising experience. From customer feedback, the intuitive user interface enables volunteers to quickly launch and oversee successful school or team fundraisers.

This means you’ll spend less time on administration and more time focused on achieving your fundraising goals.

3. Frequent Complaints

Minor concerns do surface.

The primary complaint among 99Pledges reviews concerns the optional ‘tip’ feature, which some donors find confusing or unclear. What you’ll typically find is that donors sometimes misunderstand the tip’s purpose, thinking it goes to the organization rather than 99Pledges directly.

These are generally minor issues, not deal-breakers, easily addressed with clear communication from organizers.

While we’re discussing minor issues, understanding how to master compliance and mitigate risk can be crucial.

Overall, 99Pledges reviews paint a picture of highly satisfied users. My analysis indicates genuine user satisfaction drives its success, despite minor areas for improvement.

Best 99Pledges Alternatives

Choosing the perfect fundraising platform takes effort.

Finding the best 99Pledges alternatives can be tricky, as each platform offers unique strengths. I’ve analyzed the market to help you understand which option truly fits your specific fundraising needs and organizational goals.

While optimizing your fundraising strategy, don’t forget the importance of your team. My guide on Human Capital Management Software can help elevate HR efforts.

1. PledgeStar

Seeking a different pricing model?

PledgeStar focuses on similar ‘-a-thon’ events but operates on a percentage-based platform fee. What I found comparing options is that this alternative offers predictable fee structures, potentially suiting organizations preferring fixed costs over donor tips. Its features are polished, aiming for a comprehensive experience for pledge drives.

Choose PledgeStar if your organization prefers a predictable, all-inclusive fee for polished features, avoiding a tip-based model.

2. Givebutter

Need an all-in-one fundraising suite?

Givebutter is a more versatile alternative, extending beyond pledge drives to include event ticketing, auctions, and CRM. From my competitive analysis, Givebutter provides a wider range of tools for varied fundraising needs, though its breadth means less hyper-focus on pledge-a-thons specifically. It also uses a tip-based model.

Choose Givebutter when your fundraising includes events, ticketing, or auctions beyond just pledge drives.

3. RallyUp

Desiring varied campaign types?

RallyUp offers significant versatility, supporting not just ‘-a-thons’ but also raffles, sweepstakes, and sales within one platform. Alternative-wise, RallyUp gives organizations flexibility to diversify their fundraising approaches without switching tools. It provides both free tip-based and percentage-based plans, catering to different budget preferences.

Choose RallyUp if you plan diverse fundraisers like raffles or auctions, needing one adaptable platform year-round.

Ultimately, the best 99Pledges alternatives hinge on your specific organizational needs and fundraising strategy. Evaluate platforms based on your unique requirements, not just feature lists.

Setup & Implementation

Deployment doesn’t have to be complicated.

When considering 99Pledges, review its deployment approach closely. This 99Pledges review reveals an exceptionally user-friendly setup, designed for quick launches even by non-technical users. Here’s what I found about its practical implementation.

Before diving deeper into 99Pledges deployment, you might find my analysis of best knowledge base software helpful for overall support strategies.

1. Setup Complexity & Timeline

Getting started is remarkably quick.

From my implementation analysis, organizers can create a live fundraising page in under 30 minutes, highlighting how rapid deployment is a core strength. The most time-consuming part typically involves preparing your participant list as a simple CSV file, not system configuration. This swiftness significantly reduces your initial project overhead.

You’ll want to focus your preparation on accurately gathering and formatting participant names, ensuring your CSV file is ready for quick upload.

2. Technical Requirements & Integration

Minimal technical hurdles here for your team.

What I found about deployment is that 99Pledges requires no software installation or complex integrations; it’s entirely web-based. This means zero technical integration overhead for your team. You won’t face compatibility issues or need dedicated IT resources for initial setup or ongoing maintenance.

You’ll just need a standard web browser and internet access. Your IT readiness involves ensuring basic internet connectivity, nothing more complicated.

3. Training & Change Management

User adoption comes naturally.

From my analysis, no formal training is necessary for organizers or participants because the interface is highly intuitive. Its intuitive design minimizes learning curves, allowing volunteers to grasp it quickly. The main “onboarding” effort is effectively communicating the fundraiser details to your participants and their parents.

You’ll want to leverage 99Pledges’ provided email templates to clearly explain how participants can find and share their personal donation links effectively.

4. Support & Success Factors

Excellent support simplifies your setup.

What I found about deployment is that user reviews consistently praise 99Pledges’ excellent customer support. You can expect quick, direct email responses, which serve as a critical safety net for time-sensitive campaigns. This responsive email support is a game-changer, effectively compensating for any formal training gaps.

Plan to leverage their highly-rated support if questions arise, ensuring smooth execution and preventing campaign disruptions.

Overall, 99Pledges implementation is designed for simplicity and speed. This means your team can launch fundraisers quickly with minimal technical burden. You can confidently get started and achieve your fundraising goals.

Who’s 99Pledges For

99Pledges targets unique fundraising needs.

This 99Pledges review helps you determine if this platform is the perfect fit for your specific organization. I’ll analyze who benefits most, from team sizes to use cases, to help you quickly assess its suitability.

1. Ideal User Profile

Volunteer-led groups seeking simplicity.

From my user analysis, 99Pledges is ideal for school PTA/PTOs, youth sports teams, and small community groups. If you’re a parent volunteer or coach with limited time and technical skills, you’ll find this platform incredibly easy to set up and manage your event. It’s built for non-technical users.

Users succeed by maximizing pledge-event participation. Its free, fast setup and intuitive interface eliminate paper forms and cash, significantly boosting engagement.

2. Business Size & Scale

Small, lean, and budget-conscious organizations.

What I found about target users is that 99Pledges excels for small organizations or teams, typically volunteer-led, with limited budgets. Your group likely has no dedicated IT staff or complex fundraising needs. It serves units like a single school’s PTA or one youth sports team perfectly, not entire districts or large non-profits.

You’ll know it’s a fit if your focus is a one-off pledge event. Simplicity and zero upfront costs are paramount for your small, volunteer-led team.

3. Use Case Scenarios

Pledge-based fundraising events.

This platform excels when your primary goal is maximizing participation in pledge-style fundraisers. User-wise, it’s perfect for school walk-a-thons, read-a-thons, fun runs, or sports team hit-a-thons. From my analysis, it simplifies collecting pledges quickly and easily, eliminating paper forms and handling cash, making it highly effective.

You’ll find this works for single, pledge-based events. Ease of sharing links and tracking pledges are critical for your success, boosting participation.

While this platform helps with fundraising, for those in healthcare, my analysis of best patient portal software is highly recommended.

4. Who Should Look Elsewhere

Organizations needing advanced fundraising features.

99Pledges is not the right fit for large non-profits or organizations requiring sophisticated donor management (CRM), detailed analytics, or marketing automation. Your situation calls for a broader solution if you need complex campaign types like galas or auctions with ticket tiers. It focuses solely on pledge events.

Consider comprehensive fundraising CRMs or event platforms. You’ll need these if your needs extend to diverse campaign types, robust donor insights, or complex fundraising management.

Ultimately, who should use 99Pledges comes down to your organization’s simplicity and event focus. This 99Pledges review highlights its strength for specific, volunteer-driven fundraising needs, not complex enterprise solutions.

Bottom Line

Is 99Pledges the right fundraising tool?

My 99Pledges review provides a final assessment, guiding you through its core value and fit for your fundraising needs. This section synthesizes all key insights into a decisive recommendation.

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1. Overall Strengths

Simplicity defines 99Pledges’ success.

From my comprehensive analysis, its intuitive design enables effortless campaign setup for non-technical volunteers, eliminating paper forms and cash handling. The outstanding customer support is a game-changer, offering quick, personal responses that simplify fundraising greatly, ensuring smooth operation even for first-time users.

These advantages reduce volunteer stress and increase fundraising success, making it highly accessible for community groups aiming for efficiency.

2. Key Limitations

Consider these core limitations carefully.

While highly effective, some donors found the optional tipping model confusing, impacting clarity for your school’s cause. Based on this review, advanced reporting and customization options are limited, potentially hindering complex campaign analytics or extensive branding requirements for larger organizations.

These are minor trade-offs for its core simplicity, but warrant consideration if specific needs like detailed financial tracking are paramount.

3. Final Recommendation

A strong recommendation for specific users.

My recommendation is clear: choose 99Pledges if you’re a school, sports team, or parent volunteer seeking a simple, effective, and free fundraising solution. From my analysis, it excels for straightforward pledge-based events, minimizing administrative burden significantly while maximizing funds collected directly.

Your decision should prioritize ease of use and maximum funds reaching your cause with minimal volunteer effort and technical expertise.

This 99Pledges review confidently asserts its value for grassroots fundraising. My assessment shows high confidence for its target audience and a clear pathway to fundraising success.