GiveSmart
GiveSmart is a comprehensive fundraising and donor management software designed to help nonprofit organizations manage auctions, process mobile donations, and organize events to increase their mission's overall impact.
GoFundMe
GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform that allows you to raise money for personal needs, charitable causes, and community projects through easy-to-share online fundraising pages and secure donation processing.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | GiveSmart | GoFundMe |
|---|---|---|
| Website | givesmart.com | gofundme.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, USA | San Diego, USA |
Overview
GiveSmart
GiveSmart provides you with a unified platform to manage every aspect of your nonprofit fundraising, from silent auctions to year-round donor engagement. You can move away from fragmented tools and handle ticket sales, guest registration, and secure payment processing in one centralized location. The software focuses on mobile-first experiences, allowing your supporters to bid on items or donate directly from their smartphones during live events or virtual campaigns.
Beyond event day, you can use the built-in CRM features to track donor history and automate personalized follow-up communications. Whether you are running a small local gala or a national multi-city campaign, the platform scales to meet your needs with peer-to-peer fundraising tools and detailed data analytics. It helps you build deeper relationships with your supporters while reducing the administrative burden on your development team.
GoFundMe
GoFundMe is a flexible crowdfunding platform that helps you raise money for almost any cause, from medical bills and tuition to disaster relief and creative projects. You can set up a personalized fundraising page in minutes, upload photos or videos, and share your story directly with your social network. The platform is designed to handle the technical side of collecting donations so you can focus on reaching your goal and connecting with your supporters.
You can manage your entire campaign from your dashboard, where you can post updates, thank donors, and withdraw funds directly to your bank account. Whether you are an individual helping a friend or a registered nonprofit looking to expand your reach, the platform provides the tools to build trust and momentum. It scales with your needs, offering specialized features for both personal causes and certified 501(c)(3) organizations.
Overview
GiveSmart Features
- Mobile Bidding Let your guests bid on auction items and receive outbid notifications directly on their phones to drive higher engagement.
- Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Empower your supporters to create personal fundraising pages and recruit their own networks to donate to your cause.
- Donor Management CRM Track every donor interaction and giving history in a central database to build more personalized long-term relationships.
- Text-to-Give Collect donations instantly by allowing supporters to send a simple text message during your live presentations or appeals.
- Event Management Manage guest lists, seating charts, and check-in processes digitally to eliminate long lines at your physical events.
- Reporting and Analytics Access real-time data on campaign performance and donor behavior to make informed decisions for your future strategy.
GoFundMe Features
- Mobile App Management. Launch and manage your entire fundraiser from your phone so you can post updates and thank donors on the go.
- Social Sharing Tools. Connect your fundraiser to Facebook, WhatsApp, and email to spread your message and reach more potential donors quickly.
- Team Fundraising. Invite friends and family to join your cause as team members to help spread the word and manage the campaign.
- Secure Payment Processing. Accept donations safely via credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Beneficiary Transfers. Set up direct transfers so the money you raise goes straight to the person or organization in need.
- Fundraiser Updates. Post text and photo updates to keep your supporters engaged and show them the impact of their contributions.
Pricing Comparison
GiveSmart Pricing
GoFundMe Pricing
- 0% platform fee
- Standard transaction fees apply
- Unlimited fundraising pages
- Social sharing tools
- Mobile app access
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Custom branding options
- Advanced donor data exports
- Multiple administrative seats
- Enhanced reporting tools
Pros & Cons
GiveSmart
Pros
- Intuitive mobile bidding interface increases auction revenue
- Excellent on-site support options for live events
- Streamlined check-in and check-out process for guests
- Robust reporting tools provide deep donor insights
Cons
- Learning curve for complex backend setup
- Customization options for landing pages can be limited
- Higher price point compared to entry-level tools
GoFundMe
Pros
- No platform fee for personal fundraisers
- Extremely high brand recognition builds trust
- Very easy to set up and share
- Fast withdrawal process to bank accounts
Cons
- Transaction fees apply to every donation
- Limited customization for page layouts
- Customer support is primarily via email