Introduction: The Tools That Power Purpose
As we enter a new era of digital philanthropy, choosing from the top-rated fundraising platforms in 2025 is more than just a tech decision—it’s a strategic investment in donor trust, campaign success, and operational sustainability. Whether you're an emerging nonprofit, a grassroots initiative, or a fiscally sponsored project, your fundraising platform must do more than process payments. It should streamline storytelling, track performance, and align seamlessly with your back-office infrastructure.
This is where fiscal sponsorship plays a critical role. A well-matched sponsor ensures your chosen platform is both compliant and optimized for growth—giving your campaign the tools and structure to thrive.
Let’s explore the best online giving platforms for 2025 and how fiscal sponsor integration can elevate each one.
1. Classy: Still the Enterprise Favorite
Best for: Multi-channel campaigns, events, and peer-to-peer
Why it's top-rated in 2025:
Classy continues to dominate in the nonprofit space thanks to its sleek design, customization options, and strong analytics. It now integrates AI-powered donor insights and automated impact reporting—ideal for projects looking to grow their recurring giving programs or host hybrid events.
Fiscal Sponsorship Benefit:
Classy allows for co-branded donation pages, which are especially useful for fiscally sponsored initiatives that must maintain transparency under their sponsor’s 501(c)(3) status. When paired with a sponsor like Group 36, Classy’s backend can support fund allocation and donor receipting with built-in compliance.
2. Donorbox: Affordable and Scalable
Best for: Small to mid-sized teams, recurring donations
Why it's top-rated in 2025:
Donorbox’s 2025 update includes embedded donation forms, text-to-give capabilities, and integrations with CRMs like Salesforce and Mailchimp. It's designed for efficiency—making it a great entry point for fiscally sponsored projects testing new campaigns.
Fiscal Sponsorship Benefit:
Fiscally sponsored campaigns using Donorbox benefit from its low processing fees and clear donor data exports, which simplify reporting and disbursement. Sponsors can easily track contributions across multiple projects and campaigns—helping teams stay agile and accountable.
3. Givebutter: All-in-One + Social-First Fundraising
Best for: Events, livestream fundraising, younger donor engagement
Why it's top-rated in 2025:
Givebutter combines ticketing, donation pages, and live event tools in one platform—and continues to grow in popularity thanks to its intuitive social features. In 2025, it's optimized for mobile-first experiences and Gen Z donors, complete with peer-to-peer sharing, video storytelling, and gamification elements.
Fiscal Sponsorship Benefit:
Givebutter’s campaign-level customization allows sponsors to approve and monitor specific fundraisers while enabling teams to maintain their brand identity. For sponsors like Group 36, this simplifies fiscal oversight while allowing campaign creators to move fast and stay creative.
4. Fundraise Up: The AI-Powered Challenger
Best for: Optimizing large-volume donation traffic
Why it's top-rated in 2025:
Fundraise Up’s AI engine personalizes donation flows based on donor behavior, increasing conversion rates significantly. It’s ideal for campaigns backed by advertising or those with high web traffic.
Fiscal Sponsorship Benefit:
With features like automated receipts and multi-account fund tracking, Fundraise Up supports complex disbursement models. For fiscally sponsored projects, this means smoother integration into the sponsor’s accounting system—especially when paired with donor-centric administrative tools.
5. Bonterra (Formerly Network for Good): Streamlined CRM + Giving
Best for: Teams seeking built-in CRM and donation management
Why it's top-rated in 2025:
Bonterra’s strength lies in its all-in-one system that unifies fundraising, donor engagement, and email outreach. For newer campaigns or those transitioning from spreadsheets to systems, it’s an intuitive and robust option.
Fiscal Sponsorship Benefit:
Bonterra supports custom access levels, allowing fiscal sponsors to oversee campaign performance while enabling the project team to run daily operations. This flexibility supports nonprofit tech governance and helps both parties stay aligned on impact goals.
How Fiscal Sponsorship Adds Strategic Value
Choosing a platform is just one part of a broader fundraising strategy. The real advantage of fiscal sponsorship lies in the backend infrastructure that ensures your campaign is not only beautiful and effective—but also compliant, transparent, and financially sound.
Benefits of sponsor integration include:
- Access to 501(c)(3) status without incorporation
- Platform compatibility and payment processing guidance
- Automated receipting and donation tracking
- Regular fund disbursement and campaign reconciliation
- Shared donor trust through institutional credibility
If you're evaluating tools or struggling with fragmented systems, contact Group 36 to discuss how their sponsor-backed approach simplifies fundraising operations.
Conclusion: Pair Innovation with Infrastructure
The top-rated fundraising platforms in 2025 offer more than just donation forms—they provide donor insights, engagement tools, and frictionless giving experiences. But even the best platform needs structure behind the scenes.
That’s why fiscal sponsorship remains an essential companion to online fundraising. With the right sponsor and tech stack, your campaign gains not only reach—but resilience.