Best Free Event Ticketing for Nonprofits and Fundraisers (2026)
Running a fundraiser or nonprofit event? Here's which ticketing platforms charge zero fees — and how to keep more of every dollar you raise.
Every dollar that goes to a ticketing platform fee is a dollar that doesn't go to your cause. Here's how to keep more.
The fee problem for fundraisers
When you're running a fundraiser, platform fees are unusually painful. Unlike a concert organizer who can price in the fee, a nonprofit or community fundraiser is often asking for a specific donation amount — and platform fees reduce what the cause actually receives.
On 100 tickets at $50 each ($5,000 gross):
- Eventreels: $87.50 in processing (Stripe only) → $4,912 to your cause
- Eventbrite: ~$375 in combined fees → $4,625 to your cause
- Luma: ~$295 in combined fees → $4,705 to your cause
At scale, the difference is material.
Platform comparison for fundraisers
| Platform | Platform fee | Who can use it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Zeffy** | 0% | 501(c)(3) nonprofits only | Registered nonprofits |
| **Eventreels** | 0% | Anyone | Campus orgs, community groups, informal fundraisers |
| Givebutter | 0–2.9% | Nonprofits + individuals | Donation + ticketing combo |
| Eventbrite | ~7–9% | Anyone | Large public fundraisers needing discovery |
| Luma | 5% | Anyone | Professional community fundraisers |
Zeffy — best for registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits
Zeffy is purpose-built for nonprofits with 0% platform fees. Revenue comes from optional tips donors and ticket buyers add at checkout. For registered nonprofits, it's the strongest option — it also handles donation receipts, tax documentation, and donor management.
Limitation: Zeffy is only available to registered 501(c)(3) organizations. Student organizations, informal community groups, cultural orgs, and campus chapters that aren't incorporated as nonprofits can't access it.
Eventreels — best for campus and community fundraisers
For the large category of fundraiser-style events that aren't 501(c)(3)s — student org charity events, cultural org fundraiser dinners, neighborhood drives, campus chapter philanthropies — Eventreels is the right tool.
Zero platform fee. Ticket proceeds minus Stripe processing go directly to your bank account. No subscription, no approval process.
Setup for a fundraiser event:
- Create your event with a clear title ("[Org Name] Annual Charity Dinner")
- Write a description explaining what funds support
- Set ticket price (can include the Stripe fee in pricing to pass-through or absorb it)
- Add custom questions (interest in sponsorship, t-shirt size for merch, meal preference)
- Add a discount code for sponsors who get complimentary tickets
Create your fundraiser event →
Givebutter — best for combined donation + ticketing
Givebutter is a platform that combines a donation page with ticketing and event registration. For fundraisers where some attendees buy tickets and others want to make a general donation, it handles both flows on one platform.
Platform fee: 0% on donations (Givebutter is funded by optional tips), with payment processing (2.9% + 30¢). Ticket sales have a small platform fee on some plans.
Best for: charity galas where you want both ticket sales and a direct donation mechanism on the same page.
How to maximize fundraiser revenue
Price to cover the fee. If you want $50 to go to your cause, set the ticket price to $51.50 (covers Stripe processing). Be transparent in your description: "100% of ticket proceeds after payment processing go to [cause]."
Create a sponsorship tier. Offer a "Table Sponsor" or "Patron" tier at $200–$500+ that includes multiple tickets plus recognition. Sponsors often prefer a higher-value bundle over individual tickets.
Use discount codes for free tickets. Give volunteers, board members, and press complimentary tickets via a 100% discount code rather than billing them — this keeps your revenue data clean.
Collect the right information. Add a question: "Are you interested in becoming a recurring donor or ongoing supporter?" — this is your post-event outreach list.
Follow up post-event. Send all ticket buyers a thank-you email with a summary of what was raised and how it will be used. This is the most effective retention tool for future fundraiser participation.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free ticketing platform for nonprofit events?
Zeffy is purpose-built for nonprofits and charges 0% platform fee (funded by optional donor tips). For organizations that aren't formal 501(c)(3)s — student org fundraisers, cultural org charity events, community drives — Eventreels is the best option: free RSVP, Stripe-only processing (2.9% + 30¢), no platform markup, and no subscription.
How do I sell fundraiser event tickets with no platform fee?
Eventreels charges zero platform fee — only Stripe's standard processing rate (2.9% + 30¢). On a $50 fundraiser ticket, you keep $48.25 vs. Eventbrite's ~$46.50. Over 200 tickets, that's $350+ more going to your cause. Create your event, set the ticket price, and all proceeds minus Stripe processing go directly to your bank account.
Can I use Eventreels for a fundraiser event?
Yes — Eventreels works for fundraiser events. Set your ticket price, add a description of what funds support, and include custom questions (donation tier interest, shirt size for merch). For fundraisers that need a formal donation mechanism with tax deductibility, pair Eventreels with a donation platform like Zeffy or Givebutter for the donation component.
What is Zeffy and is it free for nonprofits?
Zeffy is a ticketing and donation platform built exclusively for 501(c)(3) nonprofits. It charges 0% in platform fees — revenue comes from optional tips donors add at checkout. It's a strong choice for registered nonprofits. Student orgs and informal community groups that aren't 501(c)(3)s can't access Zeffy's platform, making Eventreels a better fit for campus or community fundraisers.
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