Fundly Credit Card Processing: Complaints, Lawsuits, Fees and Rates [2024 Update]

Fundly is a well-known crowdfunding platform created to support online fundraising for nonprofits, charities, and different causes. Founded in 2009, Fundly has established itself as an easy-to-use and efficient platform for raising funds, utilizing social media to connect with a wide range of people. Lets read more about Fundly credit card processing in detail.

Overview of Fundly

Fundly was founded with the mission of helping organizations and individuals raise money for causes they care about by tapping into their networks of friends, family, and supporters. The platform is particularly aimed at nonprofits, charities, political campaigns, clubs, schools, teams, and churches, providing them with an accessible and efficient way to gather donations online.

Ever since it was established in 2009, Fundly has expanded and is now well-known in the world of crowdfunding and online fundraising. Many users have been attracted by the straightforward setup process and the absence of initial costs for organizers. Fundly’s success has been significantly boosted by its connection with popular social media sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, which assist in increasing campaign visibility and attracting supporters.

The primary purpose of Fundly is to empower nonprofits and charitable organizations by providing them with a robust platform to collect donations. By offering customizable campaign pages and social sharing tools, Fundly helps these organizations effectively communicate their mission and needs to potential donors. The platform’s design caters to a diverse range of fundraising needs, from small community projects to large-scale charitable campaigns.

Fundly is headquartered in San Francisco, California. As of the latest information, Dennis Hu serves as the CEO of the company. Under his leadership, Fundly has continued to innovate and expand its services, ensuring that it remains a competitive and valuable tool in the nonprofit sector.

Fundly’s commitment to providing a seamless and secure donation process, combined with its strategic use of social media integration, has made it a go-to platform for many organizations looking to boost their fundraising efforts

Platform Features

Fundly credit card processing Core Features

Fundly offers a range of features designed to make campaign management straightforward and effective. Users can create and manage campaigns with ease, utilizing customizable campaign pages to reflect their unique brand and mission. These pages can include images, videos, and personalized stories, helping to engage potential donors. Fundly also provides robust social sharing tools, enabling users to promote their campaigns across various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, thereby maximizing reach and engagement.

Fundly provides a mobile app for busy individuals to easily oversee their campaigns no matter where they are. This application offers live updates on the performance of campaigns and activities of donors, ensuring that users remain informed and can quickly react to any changes. In addition, Fundly campaigns give users the flexibility to carry out their fundraising efforts for as long as needed without any time limits or deadlines to maintain.

Payment Processing

Fundly has partnered with Stripe and WePay to handle its payment processing. These partnerships ensure that a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, are accepted, making it easy for donors to contribute. The payment process is designed to be secure, employing encryption and tokenization to protect sensitive financial information and prevent unauthorized access.

The user experience with Fundly’s payment gateway is smooth and efficient. Donors can quickly and securely complete their transactions, while organizations benefit from the streamlined process of receiving funds. Payments are processed promptly, typically available for withdrawal within a week of the initial donation, providing nonprofits with timely access to the funds they need.

Fundly’s inclusion of these functions and safe payment processing abilities create a dependable and easy-to-use platform for nonprofits and charitable organizations wanting to improve their fundraising campaigns.

Fees and Pricing

When evaluating the fees and pricing structure of Fundly, it’s important to understand both the platform and transaction fees associated with using this crowdfunding service. Fundly’s goal is to provide a simple and clear pricing structure that meets the needs of both nonprofit organizations and individuals raising funds.

Platform Fees

One of the standout features of Fundly is its no-platform fee policy for organizers. This means that users can create and share their fundraising campaigns without any initial costs. Fundly operates on a model that relies on the generosity of donors to support its services. This approach can be particularly advantageous for nonprofits and individuals who are mindful of upfront costs and prefer a transparent and predictable fee structure.

Transaction Fees

Fundly partners with Stripe and WePay for payment processing, each with distinct transaction fees. For transactions processed through Stripe, Fundly charges a fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. WePay, on the other hand, charges a flat 3% per transaction. This brings the total cost for using Fundly to approximately 7.8% or 7.9% per transaction, depending on the payment processor used.

Comparison of Fees for International Transactions

Fundly offers customized pricing for global campaigns as well. In the UK, the fee is 2.40% with an additional £0.20 charged per transaction, whereas in Australia, domestic donations incur a fee of 1.75% plus $0.30 per transaction. Donations from overseas to Australian campaigns will be charged a fee of 2.90% in addition to $0.30, similar to the rate for campaigns originating from the US and Canada.

Impact on Fundraisers

While Fundly’s transaction fees might be higher than some other payment processors, the absence of additional costs such as monthly minimum fees, PCI compliance fees, or early termination fees can make it an attractive option for many organizations. This straightforward fee structure allows fundraisers to manage their campaign costs effectively without worrying about hidden fees or long-term commitments.

Overall, Fundly’s pricing model, while potentially higher per transaction, offers a clear and commitment-free approach that can be beneficial for nonprofits and individuals looking for a flexible and reliable fundraising platform.

Contract Terms

When choosing a credit card processing service, understanding the contract terms is crucial for making an informed decision. Fundly stands out for its transparent and flexible contract requirements, making it an attractive option for many fundraisers.

Contract Requirements

One of the most appealing aspects of Fundly’s credit card processing services is its user-friendly contract terms. Fundly does not require users to sign long-term contracts, which provides flexibility and ease of use for nonprofits and individuals alike. This permits users to begin and end using the platform without being tied into a long-term contract. In addition, Fundly does not have any penalties for early termination, enabling users to stop using the service whenever they want without facing extra charges.

In addition to this flexibility, Fundly does not charge PCI compliance fees or monthly minimum fees. This absence of extra charges helps to keep fundraising costs predictable and manageable, making it an ideal solution for organizations with varying fundraising needs and volumes.

Terms of Service

Fundly’s terms of service specify important requirements and obligations for users. Users must follow the platform’s rules for creating and managing campaigns, making sure all campaigns are legal and do not infringe on any third-party rights. Fundly requires users to provide accurate information about their campaigns and to use the platform in a manner that is consistent with its intended purpose.

User responsibilities also include maintaining the security of their account and promptly addressing any issues that may arise. Fundly’s terms of service stipulate that users must not engage in fraudulent activities or misrepresent their campaigns. Additionally, users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations related to their fundraising activities.

Overall, Fundly’s contract terms are designed to be straightforward and accommodating, reducing the burden of additional fees and rigid contracts. This makes Fundly a viable and appealing option for those looking to manage their fundraising campaigns efficiently and effectively.

User Experience

When evaluating the user experience of Fundly’s credit card processing services, several key aspects stand out. Fundly is designed to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience for nonprofits and individual fundraisers alike.

Ease of Use

Fundly’s platform is recognized for its easy-to-use and intuitive interface. Setting up a campaign is simple, requiring only a few actions to establish a campaign page, provide information about the cause, and personalize the look. The platform allows for extensive customization, enabling users to add images, videos, and personalized stories to engage potential donors effectively. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, which helps users manage and update their campaigns without any hassle.

Fundly also offers various management and customization options, making it easy for users to track donations, send thank-you notes, and keep supporters updated. The platform’s dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of campaign performance, donor details, and financial summaries, allowing users to make informed decisions about their fundraising strategies.

Customer Support

Customer support is a critical component of the user experience, and Fundly provides multiple avenues for assistance. Users can access a detailed support center with FAQs and guides on various aspects of using the platform. Additionally, Fundly offers email support and promises responsive customer service.

However, user reviews indicate a mixed experience with customer support. Some users have praised the responsiveness and helpfulness of Fundly’s support team, noting that their issues were resolved promptly. On the other hand, there are several complaints about slow response times and unresolved issues, particularly related to technical glitches and data reporting problems. These complaints suggest that while Fundly’s support is generally effective, there are areas for improvement to ensure a consistently positive experience for all users.

Common Complaints and Positive Feedback

While Fundly generally receives positive reviews for its functionality and ease of use, there are some recurring complaints. Users have complained about unauthorized charges and issues in setting up monthly donations, along with challenges in syncing campaign updates with social media platforms. These problems highlight the significance of strong customer service and dependable technical performance.

Despite these challenges, many users appreciate Fundly’s comprehensive features and the ability to customize campaigns extensively. Positive testimonials often highlight the platform’s ease of use, the effectiveness of its social sharing tools, and the ability to keep all funds raised, even if the campaign goal is not met. These aspects make Fundly a popular choice among nonprofits and individual fundraisers seeking a flexible and user-friendly crowdfunding platform.

Security and Compliance

It is essential to know the security and compliance measures of any platform used for financial transactions. Fundly guarantees strong security measures to safeguard users’ confidential data and adheres to industry regulations.

Security Measures

Fundly takes the security of its users’ financial data very seriously. The platform employs encryption and tokenization practices to safeguard sensitive information. Encryption ensures that data transmitted between users and the platform is securely coded, making it difficult for unauthorized parties to access or decipher. Tokenization replaces sensitive data with unique identification symbols that retain essential information without compromising security.

Fundly partners with reputable payment processors like Stripe and WePay, which adhere to stringent security standards. These processors are in compliance with the PCI DSS, which is a set of security standards ensuring a secure environment for companies handling credit card information. This compliance helps in protecting against data breaches and unauthorized access to financial information.

Data Reporting

Fundly provides comprehensive reporting tools that allow users to monitor and analyze their campaign performance. These tools provide in-depth analysis of donation trends, donor details, and the overall financial status of the campaign. Users have the ability to create different reports for monitoring progress and making well-informed choices.

Despite the robust reporting features, some users have reported issues with data reporting. Common complaints include misalignment of pages, videos not playing properly, and difficulties in syncing campaign updates to social media platforms. These issues, although relatively infrequent, highlight areas where Fundly could improve its user experience.

Fundly’s commitment to security and compliance, combined with its user-friendly reporting tools, makes it a reliable platform for fundraising. While there are some areas for improvement, particularly in data reporting, the platform’s strengths in security provide users with the confidence that their financial information is well-protected.

Customer Feedback

Positive Reviews

Fundly has garnered positive feedback for its ease of use and effectiveness, particularly from nonprofit organizations. Users appreciate the simplicity of setting up and managing campaigns. Lindsay Ghandlo, who is in charge of fundraising for a school, commended Fundly for simplifying the process of receiving donations from family members who live out of town. She observed that Fundly was a superior alternative to traditional fundraising methods such as selling cookie dough and chocolate. Major advantages included the quick setup process and the capability to easily share campaigns on social media. Additionally, nonprofits have reported success stories, emphasizing how Fundly has facilitated their fundraising efforts by providing a user-friendly platform and efficient payment processing.

Negative Reviews

Despite the positive feedback, some users have reported issues with Fundly’s services. Common complaints include unauthorized charges, poor customer service, and data reporting problems. Several users have pointed out unauthorized charges linked to their campaigns, stating worries about the effectiveness of the security protocols in use. Furthermore, several customers have voiced displeasure with the quality of customer service, mentioning delays in receiving assistance and unresolved problems. For example, some users have reported difficulties in getting timely help for technical glitches and errors on the platform.

Real-Life Customer Experiences

A detailed analysis of customer feedback reveals both positive and negative experiences. Positive reviews often highlight the platform’s ease of use and effectiveness in facilitating successful fundraising campaigns. Nevertheless, the negative feedback highlight various opportunities for Fundly to enhance. For example, improving customer service and implementing stronger security measures may help resolve the common problems users have been reporting.

Fundly has acknowledged these concerns and has been working on improving its services. Enhancements in customer support responsiveness and technical support could significantly improve user satisfaction. Taking steps to address security concerns through increased measures and clear communication can also help in establishing trust with users.

Overall, while Fundly has been effective for many users, especially in terms of campaign setup and social media integration, there are areas that need attention to ensure a more consistent and reliable user experience.

Pros and Cons

When evaluating Fundly’s credit card processing for fundraising campaigns, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it’s the right fit for your needs.

In summary, Fundly offers a flexible and user-friendly platform for fundraising with several notable advantages, including no platform fees and secure payment processing. However, higher transaction fees and customer service issues are important considerations for potential users. Balancing these pros and cons will help you decide if Fundly meets your fundraising needs effectively.

Comparisons with Competitors

Comparing competitors can assist in selecting the most suitable crowdfunding platform for your requirements. Fundly, GoFundMe, and WhyDonate provide distinct characteristics and pricing models.

Fundly vs. GoFundMe

Fundly and GoFundMe differ primarily in their fee structures and target users. Fundly charges a platform fee of 4.9% per transaction plus a credit card processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30, which can make it more expensive compared to GoFundMe. On the contrary, GoFundMe no longer has platform fees and only incurs payment processing fees, making it a more affordable choice. Both platforms provide easy-to-use interfaces, customizable campaign pages, and tools for social sharing. Nonetheless, Fundly’s absence of campaign deadlines benefits long-term fundraising strategies. GoFundMe tends to be more suitable for individual fundraisers due to its lower cost, while Fundly is ideal for organizations needing extended fundraising periods and a comprehensive set of tools.

Fundly vs. WhyDonate

Fundly and WhyDonate differ significantly in their fee structures and features. Although Fundly has high fees, WhyDonate has a more flexible fee structure for some users, eliminating platform fees and providing a cost-effective alternative. Fundly stands out for its strong social sharing tools and user-friendly interface, while WhyDonate differentiates itself by offering multiple payment options and integration with various fundraising tools. User satisfaction tends to be higher with Fundly due to its comprehensive customer support and reliable payment processing, although WhyDonate’s cost advantages make it appealing for budget-conscious users.

Conclusion

Fundly provides a user-friendly platform perfect for nonprofits and individual fundraisers, with no upfront costs and strong social sharing features. Nevertheless, increased transaction costs and certain customer service problems could pose as disadvantages. In general, Fundly is a good choice for individuals looking for versatile and successful ways to raise funds.