Is it possible to reach your crowdfunding goals without using Kickstarter? From a certain perspective, the crowdfunding giant has the game "on lock," so to speak. And with good reason, as they created the mold for many modern crowdfunding principles when they first launched back in 2009. Years later, though, there's a lot more competition out there, and you'd be remiss if you didn't take a good look at some of these Kickstarter alternatives.

GoFundMe

Though billed more like an individual funding/social change/advocacy fundraising platform, GoFundMe is still suitable for business funding goals as well. They've been in the game almost as long as Kickstarter and have some useful features that make them an attractive option.

First off, they're free to use (with only a 5% fee attached to each donation). The donations you receive pool up and go towards your total, but you can withdraw funds at any time. As mentioned, GoFundMe will allow you to support a broad range of personal projects and business projects on their site, as long as you're within their terms of service.

Patreon

This novel crowdfunding site was developed with creators in mind:

"Patreon is a way to get paid for creating the things you’re already creating (webcomics, videos, songs, whatevs). Fans pay a few bucks per month OR per post you release, and then you get paid every month, or every time you release something new."

So if you're trying to get some creative project off the ground or support the creative work that you already do, this seems like a prime option. There's a fair amount of work involved in setting up your page, and to be successful, you have to show how you stand out and build a devoted audience. Still, when it comes to accruing recurring donations, Patreon has the formula figured out.

Chuffed

If your goal is more socially-conscious, then Chuffed might be the platform for you. They specialize in funding causes and projects related to social issues the world over. You submit a pitch to them (50 words or less) then they'll decide if it's ready for primetime. This is particularly helpful as it relieves some of the burden of wondering if your idea is good or not. In addition, Chuffed is a "keep what you get" site, meaning that even if you don't reach your total funding goal, you still get to keep the donations you received.

Indiegogo

This is the closest to Kickstarter but works on some slightly different principles. With a Kickstarter, you have to reach 100% of your funding goal to get your payout. Indiegogo operates on a "flexible funding" model similar to Chuffed's "keep what you get" scheme. Which isn't to say that it's a "wild west" scenario over at Indiegogo. There are rules about what sorts of campaigns they'll allow and what you have to do to get yours up and running. If a donation drive where even a bit of a boost will help your idea is right, though, Indiegogo is the platform that will help you deliver.

Plumfund

Plumfund is another new competitor in the crowdfunding sphere, and they've struck upon an idea that seems to work well. It works similar to a gift-giving platform and was actually created by the founders of Honeyfund (the honeymoon registry site). They've got plenty of contribution options, low fees, and are an optimal choice for raising funds for special events.

Author Bio

Wendy Dessler

Super-Connector at OutreachMama

Wendy is a super-connector with OutreachMama and Youth Noise NJ who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition. You can contact her on Twitter.