Patreon Alternatives
Find the best Patreon alternatives for matching-gift campaigns with no budget and learn how to migrate your donors


Quick answer: Patreon alternatives offer more control and flexibility for fundraising
- Patreon alternatives offer more control over fundraising efforts
- Some alternatives have a 0% platform fee option
- Instant Stripe bank payouts are available with some alternatives
What to Have Ready Before You Switch from Patreon
You should have a list of your current donors and their contact information ready before you switch from Patreon, as this will make it easier to transition them to your new fundraising platform. This list should include email addresses, phone numbers, and any other relevant contact information. Having this list ready will also help you to personalize your outreach efforts and make the transition as smooth as possible for your donors.When switching from Patreon, it's also important to consider the potential impact on your recurring giving program. You'll want to make sure that your new platform can accommodate your existing recurring donors and that you have a plan in place to communicate with them about the change. This may involve sending out a notification email or making a post on your social media channels to let them know about the switch.
In addition to having your donor list ready, you should also take some time to review your current fundraising strategy and make any necessary adjustments. This may involve updating your fundraising goals, adjusting your budget, or changing your outreach tactics. By taking the time to review and adjust your strategy, you can ensure that your transition from Patreon is as successful as possible.
What You Will Lose and What You Will Gain by Leaving Patreon
By leaving Patreon, you will lose access to their built-in community of donors and their existing network of creators. However, you will gain more control over your fundraising efforts and the ability to customize your platform to better suit your needs. You will also be able to avoid any fees associated with using Patreon and keep more of the donations you receive.One of the main benefits of leaving Patreon is the ability to have more control over your fundraising efforts. With Patreon, you are limited to their existing features and functionality, which may not be tailored to your specific needs. By switching to a new platform, you can choose one that offers more flexibility and customization options, allowing you to create a fundraising campaign that is truly unique to your cause.
Another benefit of leaving Patreon is the ability to avoid their fees. Patreon charges a fee on all donations received through their platform, which can eat into your fundraising totals. By switching to a new platform, you can avoid these fees and keep more of the donations you receive. This can be especially important for small nonprofits or individuals who are just starting out with their fundraising efforts.
Is Leaving Patreon Really the Best Option for You?
Leaving Patreon may not be the best option for everyone. If you have a large and established community of donors on Patreon, it may be more beneficial to stick with the platform and continue to build on the relationships you have established. However, if you are just starting out or are looking for more control over your fundraising efforts, leaving Patreon may be the best option for you.It's also important to consider the potential impact on your peer-to-peer campaigns. If you have a large network of peer-to-peer fundraisers, you'll want to make sure that your new platform can accommodate their efforts and provide them with the tools and support they need to be successful. This may involve looking for a platform that offers features such as team fundraising, fundraising pages, and social sharing tools.
In addition to considering the impact on your peer-to-peer campaigns, you should also think about the potential impact on your matching gifts program. If you have a matching gifts program in place, you'll want to make sure that your new platform can accommodate this program and provide you with the tools and support you need to maximize your matching gifts. This may involve looking for a platform that offers features such as matching gifts tracking and reporting.
What Are the Alternatives to Patreon?
There are several alternatives to Patreon, each with their own unique features and benefits. Some popular alternatives include GoWithFund, Donorbox, and Classy. When choosing an alternative to Patreon, it's important to consider your specific needs and goals, as well as the features and functionality of each platform.Here is a comparison table of some popular alternatives to Patreon:
| Platform | Features | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| GoWithFund | 0% platform fee option, instant Stripe bank payouts, automated 501(c)(3) tax-deductible donor receipts | Variable |
| Donorbox | Recurring donations, donation tracking, donor management | Variable |
| Classy | Peer-to-peer fundraising, fundraising pages, social sharing tools | Variable |
| Network for Good | Donation tracking, donor management, fundraising pages | Variable |
When choosing an alternative to Patreon, it's also important to consider the level of support and resources offered by each platform. Some platforms may offer more extensive support and resources, such as fundraising guides, webinars, and customer support teams. Others may offer more limited support and resources, which can make it more difficult to get started and succeed with your fundraising efforts.
How to Migrate Your Donors to a New Platform
Migrating your donors to a new platform can be a complex and time-consuming process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you migrate your donors:- Export your donor list from Patreon, including email addresses, phone numbers, and any other relevant contact information.
- Import your donor list into your new platform, using the platform's import tools or by manually entering the information.
- Send a notification email to your donors, letting them know about the switch and providing them with instructions on how to update their information.
- Follow up with your donors, either by phone or email, to ensure that they have updated their information and are aware of the switch.
- Test your new platform, to ensure that it is working correctly and that your donors can easily make donations.
- Monitor your donations, to ensure that they are being processed correctly and that your donors are having a positive experience.
It's also important to consider the potential impact on your grant applications. If you have existing grant applications in place, you'll want to make sure that your new platform can accommodate these applications and provide you with the tools and support you need to succeed. This may involve looking for a platform that offers features such as grant tracking and reporting.
What to Do on Day One of Your New Fundraising Platform
On day one of your new fundraising platform, you should focus on setting up your account and customizing your platform to suit your needs. This may involve adding your logo, setting up your donation pages, and configuring your payment settings. You should also take some time to review the platform's features and functionality, to ensure that you understand how to use it effectively.Here are some concrete tips to help you get started with your new fundraising platform:
- Take some time to review the platform's features and functionality, to ensure that you understand how to use it effectively.
- Customize your platform to suit your needs, by adding your logo, setting up your donation pages, and configuring your payment settings.
- Set up your recurring giving program, to ensure that your donors can easily make recurring donations.
- Configure your matching gifts program, to ensure that you can maximize your matching gifts and provide your donors with the opportunity to double their impact.
- Test your platform, to ensure that it is working correctly and that your donors can easily make donations.
It's also important to consider the potential impact on your donor follow-up habits. If you have existing donor follow-up habits in place, you'll want to make sure that your new platform can accommodate these habits and provide you with the tools and support you need to succeed. This may involve looking for a platform that offers features such as automated follow-up emails and donor tracking.
How to Turn One-Time Donors into Repeat Donors
Turning one-time donors into repeat donors requires a strategic approach to donor outreach and engagement. Here is a worked example of how to turn one-time donors into repeat donors: Let's say you have a donor who made a one-time donation of $100 to your cause. To turn this donor into a repeat donor, you could send them a personalized thank-you email, thanking them for their donation and providing them with an update on how their donation is being used. You could also offer them the opportunity to make a recurring donation, by setting up a monthly or quarterly donation schedule.For example, let's say you have 100 one-time donors who each made a donation of $100. If you can convert 20% of these donors into repeat donors, who each make a recurring donation of $50 per month, you can increase your monthly donations by $1,000. This can have a significant impact on your fundraising totals and help you to achieve your goals.
Here is a checklist to help you turn one-time donors into repeat donors:
- Send a personalized thank-you email to your donors, thanking them for their donation and providing them with an update on how their donation is being used.
- Offer your donors the opportunity to make a recurring donation, by setting up a monthly or quarterly donation schedule.
- Provide your donors with regular updates on your cause, to keep them engaged and informed.
- Recognize and reward your repeat donors, to show them that you value and appreciate their support.
- Use social media to engage with your donors and provide them with updates on your cause.
In 2026, fundraising is more important than ever, and having the right platform and strategy in place can make all the difference. By following these tips and using the right fundraising platform, you can increase your donations and achieve your goals.
Put Your Fundraising Plan Live
Now that you have considered the alternatives to Patreon and have a plan in place to migrate your donors and turn one-time donors into repeat donors, it's time to put your fundraising plan live. You can start your fundraiser on GoWithFund, which hosts crowdfunding campaigns with a 0% platform fee option, instant Stripe bank payouts, and automated 501(c)(3) tax-deductible donor receipts. Start your fundraiser on GoWithFund today and take the first step towards achieving your fundraising goals.Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of leaving Patreon?
You will gain more control over your fundraising efforts and avoid fees associated with using Patreon.
How do I migrate my donors to a new platform?
You can export your donor list from Patreon and import it into your new platform, then send a notification email to your donors.
What is GoWithFund?
GoWithFund hosts crowdfunding campaigns with a 0% platform fee option, instant Stripe bank payouts, and automated 501(c)(3) tax-deductible donor receipts, and it is free to start a fundraiser.

GoWithFund Editorial Team
Staff Contributor
Published on behalf of GoWithFund Inc., a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity in Idaho (EIN: 33-1243835 | Idaho SOS #5902503). Articles are reviewed for statutory compliance under IRS Internal Revenue Code Section 170.
Related Topics
Apply These Tactics to Your Next Fundraiser
Launch your campaign on GoWithFund to take advantage of zero platform fees, social sharing optimization, and automated donor receipting.
Frequently asked questions
You will gain more control over your fundraising efforts and avoid fees associated with using Patreon.
You can export your donor list from Patreon and import it into your new platform, then send a notification email to your donors.
GoWithFund hosts crowdfunding campaigns with a 0% platform fee option, instant Stripe bank payouts, and automated 501(c)(3) tax-deductible donor receipts, and it is free to start a fundraiser.
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