Crowdfunding lets people raise money from many small contributions. It can help with personal needs, creative work, charity, or starting a business. The right platform makes a big difference. Fees, audience size, and rules vary a lot. Here’s what you should know about the best Crowdfunding Sites most used in the USA.

WhyDonate

WhyDonate is one of the most recognized crowdfunding sites in the country. It focuses on personal causes, medical bills, and emergencies. Setting up a fundraiser is simple. You write your story, add a photo, and share your link. There’s no deadline for campaigns, and you keep what you raise, even if you don’t hit a goal.

WhyDonate does not take a platform fee, but it charges lowest payment processing fees. People trust it for personal help and charity-driven campaigns. It’s not ideal for product launches or creative work because the audience expects personal or community-based causes.

Kickstarter

Kickstarter is built for creative projects. Artists, writers, inventors, and filmmakers use it to fund work before it’s made. It uses an all-or-nothing model. That means you only get the money if you meet your goal. If you raise less, backers aren’t charged.

This model pushes creators to plan carefully and promote heavily. Backers expect rewards — like early access, products, or art. Kickstarter is best if you can present a clear idea, a timeline, and something tangible to offer supporters.

Indiegogo

Indiegogo is flexible. It supports both creative and entrepreneurial ideas, plus tech products, social projects, and community programs. It offers two types of funding. Flexible funding lets you keep what you raise, even if you miss the goal. Fixed funding works like Kickstarter’s all-or-nothing approach.

It also has an “InDemand” feature for campaigns that want to keep raising money after the original deadline. Indiegogo is global and can reach backers outside the USA.

Patreon

Patreon is for ongoing support, not one-time campaigns. Creators set up pages where fans subscribe with a monthly payment. In return, they get special content or perks. Musicians, podcasters, YouTubers, and writers often use Patreon to turn their audience into steady income.

Patreon takes a percentage of each pledge, plus processing fees. It’s not for quick fundraising but works well for people producing regular work and building a loyal following.

Fundly

Fundly focuses on personal, nonprofit, and political campaigns. It doesn’t have a minimum goal requirement. You can start raising money immediately after setting up a page. Like GoFundMe, you keep what you raise, even if you don’t meet your goal.

Fundly also puts emphasis on mobile-friendly pages and simple social media sharing. It charges a platform fee and payment processing fee.

SeedInvest

SeedInvest is for equity crowdfunding. Instead of donations or rewards, backers invest money for a share in a startup. It’s regulated by the SEC and follows strict rules. Businesses must apply and get approved before launching a campaign.

This is best for startups looking for serious investment from many small investors. It’s more complex than donation-based crowdfunding and requires legal and financial preparation.

Mightycause

Mightycause is designed for nonprofits. It offers donation pages, peer-to-peer fundraising, and event ticketing. Nonprofits can run year-round campaigns and also join big fundraising events like Giving Tuesday.

The platform has free and paid plans. Paid plans add tools for donor management and reporting. It’s not built for personal or product-based campaigns.

Crowdfunder

Crowdfunder supports both equity and rewards-based crowdfunding. It’s aimed at entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. Campaigns can attract investors, customers, or both.

It’s not as well-known to the general public as GoFundMe or Kickstarter, but it has a strong network of investors. Businesses need to prepare detailed pitches to appeal to this audience.

How to Choose the Right Site

Picking a platform depends on your goal. For personal emergencies, GoFundMe and Fundly work well. For creative work with rewards, Kickstarter and Indiegogo are better. For ongoing content creation, Patreon is the clear choice. For nonprofit fundraising, Mightycause offers specific tools. For business investment, SeedInvest and Crowdfunder are designed for that.

Think about fees, audience, campaign rules, and how long you need to raise money. Also consider whether you want a one-time push or ongoing support.

Common Costs

Every site charges payment processing fees. Some also take a platform fee. The percentage may seem small, but it can add up if you raise a lot. Read the fine print before starting. Also check how and when you get your money after the campaign ends.

Tips for Success

Good photos, a clear story, and updates help bring in donations. Share your campaign link often, but don’t only post requests for money. Show progress, thank donors, and keep people engaged.

Be realistic about your goal. A smaller goal you can exceed is better than a large number you never reach. People like to back campaigns that look active and likely to succeed.

Risks and Limits

Crowdfunding is not guaranteed. Some campaigns get no traction, even with a good cause or idea. Your personal network often drives the first wave of donations or pledges. If they don’t share your campaign, it may be hard to reach strangers.

Also, some backers never receive promised rewards from creators. Delays happen. If you’re offering rewards, be ready to deliver them as promised. Trust is key.

The Bigger Picture

Crowdfunding has changed how people raise money in the USA. It gives individuals and small groups a way to access funds without banks or big investors. But it works best when paired with strong promotion, a clear purpose, and transparency.

The best crowdfunding site for you is the one that fits your project type, audience, and ability to keep backers informed. Choosing wisely will save you time and stress.