Freedom251 › Nonprofit Crowdfunding Software
PledgeCents
What PledgeCents is
PledgeCents is an online fundraising service for educational opportunities and other community needs. It provides fundraising pages for PreK–12 schools, nonprofits, youth sports teams, and faith-based causes. A campaign can receive the amount it raises even when it falls short of its target, and each page includes a backup plan for how to use the funds. The service charges no platform fee; payment processing is 3%, and PledgeCents says users receive 97% of funds raised. Contributors can pay by card or bank account, with Stripe handling transactions and no Stripe account required for contributors.
Fundraisers can share pages on social media, and investors receive automatic email updates when creators post updates. Campaign options include contests, dollar-for-dollar matching, Facebook matching, and referrals that can earn cash toward a fundraiser. PledgeCents verifies organization accounts before approval and sends funds by check to the organization, not the individual creator. Its FAQ says the check is sent within 48 hours after a page is complete. The service has web and API platforms, though API access is limited to partners and requires a unique API key. After a page is approved and live, an expert may arrange a one-on-one call about fundraising strategy.
Who it suits
PledgeCents suits schools, nonprofits, youth sports teams, and faith-based organizations seeking online fundraising pages. It is also a fit for organizations that want social sharing, donor updates, and campaign incentives such as matching or referral programs.
What it does well
- No platform fee; payment processing is 3%.
- Campaigns can receive funds even if they miss their goal.
- Pages include a backup plan for raised funds.
- Supports card and bank account contributions.
- Organization verification precedes approval and payout.
- Social sharing and automatic email updates are supported.
What to know first
- A 3% payment-processing fee applies.
- Funds are sent by check to the organization, not the creator.
- API access is limited to PledgeCents partners.
Limits
The free fundraising page has no platform fee, but payment processing is 3%. API access is currently available only to PledgeCents partners.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free fundraising page | No upfront costs, contracts, or subscriptions · 0% platform fee · 3% payment processing fee | Free |
As pledgecents.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://www.pledgecents.com/.
- Create a fundraising page for a PreK–12 school, nonprofit, youth sports team, or faith-based need.
- Submit the organization account for verification and approval.
- Share the page on social media and post updates for automatic email notifications to investors.
- If using the API, obtain partner access and use its unique API key.
Verdict
Choose PledgeCents if an eligible organization needs a free fundraising page with flexible funding, sharing, and update tools. Look elsewhere if a payment-processing fee, organization-check payout, or partner-only API access does not suit your needs.
Questions
How much does PledgeCents cost?
The Free fundraising page costs nothing. There are no upfront costs, contracts, or subscriptions, and payment processing is 3%.
Who can create a fundraising page?
Pages are available for PreK–12 schools, nonprofits, youth sports teams, and faith-based needs. Organization accounts are verified before approval.
Can a fundraiser receive money if it misses its goal?
Yes. Fundraisers can receive what they raise even if they do not reach their goal, and each page includes a backup plan for using the funds.
How can contributors pay?
Contributors can pay by credit card or bank account. Stripe processes transactions, and contributors do not need a Stripe account.
How and when are funds paid out?
Funds go by check to the organization rather than the individual creator. PledgeCents says it sends the check within 48 hours after a page is complete.
Which platforms are available?
PledgeCents lists web and API platforms. API access is currently limited to partners and uses a unique API key for request validation.
Facts from PledgeCents's own pages
- API access
- The API is currently available only to PledgeCents partners and uses a unique API key for request validation. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Customer support
- After a page is approved and goes live, PledgeCents says an expert may arrange a one-on-one call with personalized fundraising strategies. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Fees
- PledgeCents charges no platform fee; payment processing is 3%, and the benefits page says users receive 97% of funds raised. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Flexible funding
- Fundraisers can receive the money raised even if they do not reach their goal, and pages include a backup plan for using the funds. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Fundraising incentives
- The platform describes contests, dollar-for-dollar matching campaigns, Facebook matching campaigns, and a referral system that can earn cash toward a fundraiser. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Organization verification
- PledgeCents says each organization account is verified before approval and funds are sent by check to the organization rather than the individual creator. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Payment processing
- Stripe handles financial transactions, and contributors can pay by credit card or bank account without needing a Stripe account. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Payout timing
- The FAQ says PledgeCents sends a check to the organization within 48 hours after a fundraising page is complete. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The How It Works page says PledgeCents never shares private information for page creators, donors, or the young adults helped by fundraisers. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PledgeCents helps communities fund educational opportunities and other community needs through online fundraising. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Sharing and updates
- Fundraisers support social media sharing and automatic email updates to investors when the creator posts an update. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Who can fundraise
- Fundraising pages are available for PreK–12 schools, nonprofits, youth sports teams, and faith-based needs. · pledgecents.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where PledgeCents stands on Freedom251
- Nonprofit Crowdfunding Software#16 of 22