99Pledges vs Bonfire

99Pledges is free web-based fundraising software for schools, teams, youth organizations, and nonprofits running a-thon events. Organizers can create a fundraiser in minutes or have 99Pledges set one up for free. Each participant receives an individual donation page shareable by email, text, Facebook, and X. Donors can pay by credit or debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay, while organizers can record cash and check donations. Real-time reports track participation, leaderboard rankings, and progress toward goals. After an event ends, funds are sent within one business day. Organizations receive a dedicated fundraising coach, and live chat typically responds within minutes. The 99Pledges plan costs nothing, with no contracts, subscriptions, or fundraising minimums, but charges 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. The service is limited to organizations in the United States, except for U.S. military-based schools abroad. 99Pledges says Braintree handles payments as a Level 1 PCI DSS compliant provider and that it follows COPPA requirements for children’s privacy.

Bonfire is web-based peer-to-peer fundraising software centered on supporter-created T-shirt campaigns for nonprofits. Supporters can create and share fundraisers on an organization’s behalf, with money raised sent directly to the nonprofit. Organizations can create profiles with their story, branding, links, and selected campaigns, then use a no-code editor to add text, images, and video to campaign pages. They can also make design templates for teams or supporters to customize. Bonfire provides supporter names, contact details, and purchase or donation amounts for viewing or download, plus CSV exports for CRM import. Donor data can sync with GoFundMe Pro and be sent to CRMs such as Salesforce. Payouts are available through PayPal, check, or ACH. Campaign selling is free, while additional contributions have an 8% processing fee, reduced to 3.5% for verified nonprofits. Nonprofit features require proof of 501(c)3 status; nonprofits outside the U.S. cannot currently be verified. The fundraising platform is free for verified nonprofits. Essentials costs $8.25 a month billed yearly, and Super costs $24.92 a month billed yearly.