9 Best Free WordPress Donation Plugins for 2024

If you’re managing a non-profit organization or running a blog and need an efficient way to collect donations, integrating a WordPress donation plugin can streamline the process. With the right plugin, you can create a user-friendly donation system that enhances the experience for your visitors and boosts your fundraising efforts. Here, we’ll explore the top nine free WordPress donation plugins for 2024, highlighting their features, benefits, and how they can help you achieve your fundraising goals.

Why Use a WordPress Donation Plugin?

Implementing a donation plugin on your WordPress site offers several advantages:

• Enhanced Visibility: Prominent “Donate Now” buttons increase visibility and encourage donations.
• Simplified Process: These plugins streamline donation processes, from form submission to payment processing.
• Secure Payment Gateways: They offer multiple secure payment options for donors.
• Professional Appearance: Quality plugins integrate seamlessly with WordPress themes and HTML templates to create a professional-looking donation system.

To maximize the effectiveness of these plugins, ensure your website provides detailed information about your organization’s mission, activities, and the impact of donations. A well-designed donation system will help you meet your fundraising targets efficiently.

Best WordPress Plugins for Donations

Explore the best free donation plugins available in the WordPress repository. These plugins offer various features, including donation buttons, compatibility with multiple payment gateways, and tracking capabilities. Here are our top picks:

1. GiveWP

GiveWP is a robust donation plugin designed to optimize online giving. It stands out for its commission-free approach, meaning you keep 100% of your donations. Key features include:

• User-Friendly Forms: Donors can fill out forms on a dedicated page or via a shortcode in your site’s sidebar.
• Customizable Reports: Export donation data in CSV or PDF formats for detailed reporting.
• Third-Party Integrations: Easily integrates with numerous third-party services.
• Add-On Options: Enhance functionality with add-ons for recurring donations, fee recovery, PDF receipts, and Stripe integration.

GiveWP is ideal for organizations looking for a comprehensive, customizable donation solution.

2. PayPal Donations

PayPal Donations is a straightforward plugin for collecting donations via PayPal. It features:

• Easy Button Placement: Add a “Donate” button using a shortcode anywhere on your site, including headers and footers.
• Customizable Options: Choose button style, country, language, and default payment amounts.
• Redirect Options: Customize post-donation redirection to thank you pages or other relevant content.

This plugin is perfect for users seeking a simple yet effective donation solution integrated with PayPal.

3. Charitable

Charitable offers a flexible approach to managing fundraising campaigns. It is both user and developer-friendly, with features including:

• Multiple Campaigns: Set up and manage multiple fundraising campaigns with ease.
• Customizable Donation Options: Allow donors to choose their donation amount or set predefined amounts.
• Fee-Free Transactions: Enjoy zero transaction fees with standard PayPal payments; additional payment gateways require paid add-ons.
• Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Use the Charitable Ambassadors Extension to enable supporters to create their own fundraising campaigns.

Charitable is ideal for those who need a versatile and customizable donation system.

4. PayPal Donation

PayPal Donation is a versatile plugin that enables global donations. Features include:

• Multiple Button Styles: Choose from seven button styles or upload a custom button.
• Multi-Language and Currency Support: Supports 18 languages and 24 currencies offered by PayPal.
• Donation Tracking: View and manage donations directly from your WordPress admin area.
• Pro Version: Offers advanced features like recurring donations and more dropdown menu options.

This plugin is well-suited for users who want quick setup and broad functionality with PayPal integration.

5. Cryptocurrency Donation Box

Cryptocurrency Donation Box caters to the growing trend of cryptocurrency donations. Features include:

• Support for Multiple Cryptocurrencies: Accept over twenty cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
• Easy Setup: Simply activate the plugin and add your wallet address to start accepting donations.
• QR Code Generation: Converts your payment address into a QR code for easy transactions.

This plugin is ideal for tech-savvy organizations looking to tap into the cryptocurrency donation market.

6. Donations for WooCommerce

If your website utilizes WooCommerce for its eCommerce operations, Donations for WooCommerce is a fantastic addition. This plugin integrates directly with WooCommerce, adding a donation product type that blends effortlessly with your existing store setup. Here’s what you need to know:

• Donation Product Type: Adds a specific product type for donations, allowing users to contribute any amount.
• Easy Integration: Simple installation and activation from your WordPress admin dashboard.
• Beginner-Friendly: Ideal for users new to WordPress and WooCommerce, with an intuitive setup process.

By using Donations for WooCommerce, you can start collecting donations immediately alongside your standard product sales.

7. Woo Donations

Woo Donations is another excellent option for WordPress users looking for a straightforward way to accept donations. Key features include:

• Flexible Donation Options: Allow users to donate any amount during the cart or checkout process.
• Customizable Donation Button: Configure the button’s placement, color, and text to match your site’s branding.
• Shortcode Support: Place the donation button in various locations on your site, not just on the cart or checkout pages.

This plugin offers flexibility and customization to ensure the donation experience aligns with your site’s design and functionality.

8. Donation Thermometer

Donation Thermometer provides a visual way to track and display your fundraising progress. Here’s what this plugin offers:

• Customizable Thermometer Image: Add a thermometer graphic that reflects the amount raised against your fundraising goal.
• Shortcode Flexibility: Easily set dimensions and display the thermometer in various parts of your site, including sidebars and footers.
• Integration with Other Plugins: Can automatically pull donation data from WooCommerce or other donation plugins.

The Donation Thermometer is a great tool for visually engaging your donors by showing real-time progress towards your fundraising goals.

9. Donorbox

Donorbox is a feature-rich plugin designed for more comprehensive donation management. Notable features include:

• Customizable Forms: Create donation forms that allow donors to dedicate their contributions and collect specific information.
• Account and Fees: Sign up for a Donorbox account and collect up to $1000 monthly without incurring fees.
• Multi-Campaign Management: Run multiple fundraising campaigns simultaneously.
• Integrations: Includes PayPal, Salesforce, and MailChimp integration, and is available in multiple languages.

With Donorbox, you can enhance your fundraising efforts with advanced features and detailed donor management.

Conclusion

Choosing the right donation plugin for your WordPress site can significantly impact your fundraising efforts. Each of these plugins offers unique features and benefits, so consider your organization’s specific needs and goals when selecting the best option. Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive solution like GiveWP or a simple PayPal integration, these free plugins can help you create an efficient and effective donation system for your website.

By incorporating one of these top donation plugins into your WordPress site, you’ll be well-equipped to enhance your fundraising capabilities and make it easier for supporters to contribute to your cause.

Which Donation Plugin is Best for WordPress?

GiveWP stands out as the leading WordPress donation plugin, boasting over 100,000 users worldwide. Its comprehensive feature set surpasses many other plugins, though it remains lightweight due to its modular extensions. Key advantages include:

• Feature-Rich: Offers extensive features through optional extensions, allowing for a tailored experience based on your needs.
• Popular Choice: Widely recognized for its effectiveness and versatility in donation management.

For simpler needs, PayPal Donations provides a basic yet effective solution, ideal for straightforward, one-time campaigns.

Ultimately, the success of your fundraising campaign will depend on various factors, including the ease of donation. A well-chosen plugin can streamline the donation process and enhance your campaign’s effectiveness.

If you have experience with other donation plugins not listed here, feel free to share your insights in the comments section.