#1 International Fundraising Websites for Individuals: What to Know Before Choosing One
Raising money online has become a practical way for individuals to support personal needs, family emergencies, medical expenses, education, disaster recovery, and community causes. For people in the United States, the challenge becomes more complicated when the person receiving the money lives in another country.
That is where international fundraising websites for individuals can be useful. These platforms allow a person to create a campaign, share a personal story, accept online donations, and transfer funds through supported payment systems. However, international fundraising is not as simple as choosing a website and publishing a campaign. Country eligibility, bank account requirements, currency conversion, payment processing fees, identity checks, and tax rules can all affect the outcome.
This article explains what US users should look for when choosing an international fundraising platform and reviews several services that currently support personal fundraising across borders.
What Is International Personal Fundraising?
International personal fundraising is the process of collecting donations online for an individual or family located in another country.
For example, a person in California may want to raise money for a relative in Mexico. A US resident may also organize a campaign for a friend in another country who needs help with medical treatment, school costs, housing, or emergency recovery.
The important point is that international donations and international fundraising are not the same thing.
A website may allow donors from many countries to contribute while limiting where a fundraiser can be created or where money can be withdrawn. This difference can determine whether a campaign can actually deliver funds to its intended recipient.
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What US Users Should Check First
Before creating a fundraiser, check these five areas:
- Supported fundraiser countries
- Recipient bank account requirements
- Available currencies
- Transaction and payment fees
- Identity and withdrawal rules
These details matter because a campaign can attract donations but still face problems when the organizer tries to withdraw the funds.
GoFundMe, for example, currently supports fundraisers in 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several European countries. It also states that the person withdrawing the money must meet the requirements for the country where the fundraiser is created.
International Fundraising Websites for Individuals
Several platforms can serve different international fundraising needs. Their coverage and pricing are not identical, so the best choice depends on where the recipient lives and how funds will be received.
| Platform | Personal fundraising | International reach | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoFundMe | Yes | 20 supported fundraiser countries | Country and withdrawal eligibility |
| GiveSendGo | Yes | Broad international support | Recipient country and bank account rules |
| FundRazr | Yes | International through supported payment systems | PayPal or Stripe availability |
| WhyDonate | Yes | 100 plus supported fundraiser countries | Identity and bank verification |
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1. GoFundMe
GoFundMe is one of the most recognized online fundraising platforms in the United States. It supports personal campaigns for individuals, families, medical needs, emergencies, education, memorial expenses, and other causes.
Its international rules are important. As of 06/24/2026, GoFundMe lists 20 countries where funds can be sent. These include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and several European countries. The company warns that fundraisers created by organizers who do not meet country requirements may be removed and refunded.
For US users helping someone overseas, this means the first question should not be how popular the platform is. The first question should be whether the recipient can legally receive the money through the platform's supported withdrawal system.
GoFundMe currently lists a US individual transaction fee of 2.9 percent plus $0.30 per donation. It also notes that international transaction and currency conversion fees may apply depending on the payment method.
2. GiveSendGo
GiveSendGo is another option for individual and personal fundraising. Its international coverage is broader than some platforms.
The company says organizers must select the recipient's country during setup, and that country must match where the recipient's bank account is located. If the recipient's country is not supported, the platform says a trusted person in a supported country may receive the funds on the recipient's behalf, subject to verification and other requirements.
GiveSendGo currently lists a 0 percent platform fee, while third party payment processing is generally 2.7 percent plus $0.30 per donation for standard US dollar campaigns. Non US dollar campaigns and currency conversion may involve additional costs.
This structure can be useful for people who want to compare the total cost rather than simply looking for a platform with no platform fee.
3. FundRazr
FundRazr supports personal fundraising as well as nonprofit and community campaigns. It can be used for medical expenses, accidents, education, memorials, pets, family emergencies, and other personal causes.
Its international model depends heavily on payment processors. FundRazr says it can be used in countries where users can send and receive payments through PayPal or Stripe. It also supports multiple currencies, including US dollars, Canadian dollars, euros, British pounds, Indian rupees, Japanese yen, Australian dollars, and others.
The platform currently offers a pricing option with no platform fee when optional tips are used, although standard third party payment processing fees still apply. Its published example for payment processing is 2.9 percent plus $0.30, depending on the processor and region.
For an international fundraiser, the key issue is whether the recipient can connect a supported PayPal or Stripe account.
4. WhyDonate
WhyDonate has a particularly broad international footprint. Its current help center says fundraisers can be started from more than 100 countries, with the exact published list exceeding 110 countries in 2026. The United States and many countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania are included.
The platform requires identity verification and a valid bank account in a supported country. Donations can be made from anywhere in the world, according to the company.
WhyDonate currently charges 0 percent platform fees, but payment processing fees still apply. For US dollar transactions, its published processing rate is 2.9 percent plus $0.30.
Its broad geographic coverage makes it worth checking when the recipient is outside the countries supported by more familiar US platforms.
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How to Compare International Fundraising Platforms
The lowest advertised fee is not always the most important factor. A fundraiser should consider the complete process from donation to withdrawal.
Country Eligibility
This is the first filter.
Some platforms allow people from many countries to donate but limit the countries where a fundraiser can be created. Others require the recipient to have a bank account in the same country selected during campaign setup.
Always check the official country list before sharing the campaign publicly.
Currency Support
Currency can affect the amount received.
A fundraiser in the United States may collect donations in US dollars while the recipient ultimately needs Mexican pesos, Indian rupees, euros, or another currency. Currency conversion can create an additional cost through the payment processor.
FundRazr, for example, supports multiple currencies but notes that payment processor availability varies by country.
Fees
Review both platform fees and payment processing fees.
A platform advertising no platform fee can still charge a payment processing fee on every donation. International payments may also have currency conversion or cross border charges.
For example, a $100 donation can result in different net amounts depending on the fee structure and whether currency conversion takes place.
Withdrawal Rules
This is often overlooked.
Before launching a campaign, confirm:
- Who is legally allowed to withdraw the money?
- Does the recipient need a local bank account?
- Is identity verification required?
- Are there minimum withdrawal amounts?
- How long can transfers take?
- What happens if the account cannot be verified?
These questions are especially important when a US organizer is fundraising for someone abroad.
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Best Uses for International Personal Fundraising
International fundraising websites can be used for many legitimate personal needs.
Common examples include:
Medical and Emergency Costs
Families may raise money for hospital care, surgery, medicines, transportation, rehabilitation, or recovery after an accident.
Education
Funds may help cover tuition, school supplies, housing, or educational equipment for students in another country.
Disaster Recovery
A family affected by flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, or other disasters may receive financial support through a personal fundraising campaign.
Family Support
People living in the United States sometimes raise money for relatives overseas who need temporary financial assistance.
Memorial and Funeral Expenses
Campaigns may help families cover funeral, burial, transportation, or related costs after an unexpected death.
How to Build Trust With Donors
A clear campaign page can help donors understand exactly where the money is going.
Use specific information rather than emotional claims.
A strong campaign should explain:
- Who needs the funds
- What happened
- How much is needed
- How the money will be used
- Who will receive the funds
- How donors can receive updates
Include relevant documents when appropriate, while protecting private information. Medical records, identification documents, addresses, and financial information should never be posted publicly without careful consideration.
Regular updates can also help donors understand how the campaign is progressing.
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Protecting Donors From Fundraising Scams ⚠️
International fundraising requires extra caution because donors may have no direct relationship with the recipient.
The Federal Trade Commission recommends researching who is behind a crowdfunding request and checking campaign information before sending money. It also recommends being careful with requests that rely on urgency, vague claims, or suspicious payment methods.
Before donating, consider:
- Verify the organizer's identity.
- Contact a friend or family member separately if the campaign was shared through social media.
- Check whether photos appear on unrelated campaigns.
- Search the organizer's name with terms such as complaint or scam.
- Review the platform's fee and payout information.
- Avoid requests for gift cards, cash, or wire transfers from unknown people.
The FTC also warns that crowdfunding donations made to individuals are generally not tax deductible for the donor.
What About US Taxes?
Tax treatment depends on the facts of the fundraiser.
The Internal Revenue Service says crowdfunding money may be treated differently depending on its purpose and circumstances. In some personal fundraising situations, money received as a genuine gift may not be included in the recipient's gross income. However, crowdfunding can also involve taxable income in other situations.
This is an area where campaign organizers should avoid making broad statements such as “all donations are tax free” or “all donations are tax deductible.”
For larger campaigns, business related fundraising, or complicated international transfers, speaking with a qualified tax professional is sensible.
A Simple Checklist Before Launching
Platform
Money
Campaign
Safety
Which Platform Should You Choose?
There is no single international fundraising website that works best for every situation.
For a US user supporting someone in another country, GoFundMe may be suitable when both the organizer and recipient fit its supported country and withdrawal rules. GiveSendGo is worth comparing when broader international support is important. FundRazr can be useful when PayPal or Stripe access and multiple currencies matter. WhyDonate stands out for its wide list of countries where fundraisers can be started.
The safest approach is to compare eligibility, fees, currency support, identity checks, and payout rules before choosing a platform.
For US donors, the Federal Trade Commission's advice is also important: research the organizer, understand where the money goes, and be cautious when a campaign uses pressure or unclear information.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I raise money in the US for someone in another country?
Yes, but it depends on the fundraising platform and the recipient's country. Some websites limit where fundraisers can be created and where funds can be withdrawn.
2. What is the best international fundraising website for individuals?
There is no universal choice. GoFundMe, GiveSendGo, FundRazr, and WhyDonate have different country coverage, fees, payment systems, and withdrawal rules.
3. Can people from other countries donate to a US fundraiser?
Generally, international donations may be possible, but payment methods, currency conversion, and transaction fees can vary by platform.
4. Are donations to personal fundraisers tax deductible?
Usually not. The FTC states that donations to individuals are not tax deductible.
5. How can I check whether an international fundraiser is legitimate?
Research the organizer, verify the story through independent sources when possible, review the campaign details, and avoid payment requests involving gift cards, cash, or unusual transfer methods.
Conclusion
International fundraising websites for individuals can make it easier for people in the United States to support relatives, friends, students, families, and individuals facing financial hardship overseas. But international fundraising involves more than collecting donations.
Country eligibility, bank account requirements, currencies, payment processing, identity checks, fees, and tax considerations should all be reviewed before a campaign begins. Comparing those details can help organizers avoid payout problems and help donors make more informed decisions.
A trustworthy fundraising campaign should always be clear about who receives the money, why the money is needed, and how it will be used. That basic transparency remains important whether the fundraiser is for someone across town or across the world.
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Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or professional advice.
