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Houdini

github.com

Free plan WebLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit github.com
Spec score 7.4 #30 of 48 in Nonprofit Fundraising Software

What it is

Houdini is free, open-source fundraising infrastructure for nonprofits and NGOs. It provides crowdfunding campaigns, fundraising events, donation forms, a donate-widget page and generator, plus simple donor management. Nonprofit dashboards cover payment history, payouts, recurring donations, metrics, supporter relationships through a CRM and organizational user accounts. Campaign reporting is listed as advanced. Payment processing is separate and requires Stripe API keys during setup. Houdini runs as a self-hosted Rails application, with production instructions for Linux using SystemD and Nginx. Supported systems include Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04 or an equivalent. Prerequisites include Node.js 16, Yarn, PostgreSQL 12 (PostgreSQL 10 may work) and Ruby 2.7. The project describes its latest version as pre-2.0 and in heavy development, recommending v1 instead. Building JavaScript assets needs about 3 GB free RAM, while the deployment guide suggests at least 4 GB for the server. Security reports go by email; GitHub Discussions hosts project chat.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Houdini is free and open source fundraising infrastructure for nonprofits and NGOs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Deployment
Houdini can be run as a self-hosted Rails application, with production deployment instructions for a Linux server using SystemD and Nginx.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Campaigns
It includes crowdfunding campaigns and fundraising events.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Community support
The README points users to GitHub Discussions to join the project chat and get involved.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Development status
The README describes the latest version as pre-2.0 and in heavy development, and suggests using v1 instead.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Donations
It includes a donate widget page and generator, plus simple donation management for donors.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Linux support
The README lists Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04, or equivalent as supported operating systems.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Nonprofit dashboards
Nonprofits can manage payment history and payouts, recurring donations, metrics, supporter relationships in a CRM, and organizational user accounts.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Payments integration
The setup instructions require Stripe API keys to configure payments.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Production resources
The production deployment guide says building JavaScript assets requires about 3 GB of free RAM and suggests a server with at least 4 GB RAM.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security reporting
The security policy asks people to report vulnerabilities by email and says the project will respond as soon as possible.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Technical requirements
The README lists Node.js 16, Yarn, PostgreSQL 12 (10 may work), Ruby 2.7, and Ubuntu or equivalent as prerequisites.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Houdini Free Free and open source fundraising infrastructure Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Houdini plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source
  • Includes campaigns and event fundraising
  • Supports recurring donations
  • CRM and nonprofit dashboards
  • Advanced campaign reporting

Limits

  • Self-hosted deployment required
  • Payment processing is separate
  • Stripe API keys required
  • Latest version is pre-2.0 and in development

Who it suits

Houdini suits nonprofits and NGOs able to operate a Linux self-hosted Rails application. It is aimed at organizations needing campaigns, donations, recurring gifts and supporter records.

Verdict

Houdini offers a broad fundraising foundation without a license charge, but deployment and payment setup are the operator’s responsibility. Its stated development status makes the recommended v1 guidance important.

Where Specifiction places it

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