Donation Crowdfunding Platforms in India: 2026 Guide

Quick Summary

• Donation crowdfunding platforms in India help individuals, families, nonprofits, and organisations raise money online without offering donors equity, interest, or repayment.
• Major crowdfunding platforms differ in the causes they support, verification procedures, platform fees, payment-processing charges, withdrawal processes, and international donation options.
• A 0% platform fee does not necessarily mean zero deductions. Payment-processing charges, GST, administration, or other applicable costs may still apply.
• Donation-based crowdfunding is different from securities-based crowdfunding, but tax, FCRA, and other legal requirements may still apply depending on the fundraiser and recipient.
• Donors should verify both the crowdfunding platform and the individual campaign before contributing.

Introduction

Medical treatment, emergencies, education, nonprofit projects, and other urgent needs can require more financial support than an individual or family can provide. Crowdfunding allows fundraisers to reach a larger pool of potential donors through an online campaign.

However, choosing a crowdfunding platform involves more than comparing platform fees. Verification procedures, payment-processing charges, withdrawal rules, campaign eligibility, donor support, and tax documentation can vary between platforms.

This guide compares major donation crowdfunding platforms in India, explains how donation-based crowdfunding works, covers key legal and tax considerations, and provides practical checks for choosing a genuine crowdfunding platform. Platform information and applicable government rules were checked against publicly available sources in October 2026. Fees and policies can change, so verify the latest terms before starting a fundraiser or making a donation.

Best Donation Crowdfunding Platforms in India

The platforms below are presented for comparison and not as an overall ranking. The most suitable crowdfunding platform depends on the cause, beneficiary, documentation, donor base, support requirements, and applicable charges.

Platform	Best suited for	Fee model	Key consideration	International support
ImpactGuru	Medical, personal and nonprofit fundraising	0%, 3%, 5% or 8% platform fee depending on plan	Multiple support levels and medical due diligence	Subject to campaign and applicable requirements
Milaap	Medical, personal, education and social causes	0% platform fee; payment-processing charges apply	Document-based verification and campaign support	Yes
Ketto	Medical, personal, education and social causes	Plans vary; current pricing includes free and paid support options	Different levels of fundraising support	International payment support
Give.do	Nonprofit and social-impact fundraising	Varies by fundraising arrangement	Strong focus on verified nonprofits	Campaign-specific
DonateKart	NGO, social-impact and requirement-based fundraising	Free and paid fundraising plans	Product/requirement-based and monetary fundraising options	Subject to campaign requirements

1. ImpactGuru

Best suited for: Medical, personal and nonprofit fundraising

ImpactGuru is an Indian crowdfunding platform supporting medical, personal, and nonprofit causes. Its current pricing information lists four main plans: Self Driven at 0%, Assisted at 3%, Elevate at 5%, and Co-pilot at 8% platform fee. The platform states that its platform fee is calculated on the amount raised rather than the fundraising goal.

ImpactGuru separately states that payment-processing and donor-support charges apply. Its current information also lists a ₹3,000 plus GST due-diligence, safety, and administration fee, subject to the applicable pricing terms.

The platform states that its verification process can include identity authentication, beneficiary-account verification, hospital or NGO verification, and document checks. For medical fundraisers, it states that funds are generally transferred to hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic centres, or healthcare institutions; transfers to patients or immediate family members may be possible in certain circumstances after the required due diligence and documentation.

Key points to compare:

• Multiple fundraising support plans
• Medical, personal and nonprofit fundraising
• Identity, beneficiary and document verification
• Different withdrawal timelines depending on the plan
• Platform, payment-processing and applicable administrative charges
• Tax documentation for eligible donations, where applicable

Because pricing and service terms can change, fundraisers should review the current ImpactGuru plan before starting a campaign.

2. Milaap

Best suited for: Medical, personal, education, community, and social causes

Milaap is an Indian crowdfunding platform supporting medical emergencies, personal needs, education, NGOs, and community causes. Milaap currently states that it charges a 0% platform fee, while standard payment-processing charges apply, and its model also includes voluntary tipping.

Milaap says fundraisers are verified using relevant documentation. Its current fundraiser information states that organisers may need to provide beneficiary details, the intended use of funds, and supporting documents such as treatment estimates.

The platform also states that international donations are accepted from donors in more than 100 countries through supported payment methods.

Key points to compare:

• 0% platform fee
• Payment-processing charges can apply
• Medical and personal fundraising
• NGO and community fundraising
• Document-based fundraiser verification
• International donation support

3. Ketto

Best suited for: Medical, personal, education, NGO and social causes

Ketto is an Indian crowdfunding platform that supports medical, education, personal, animal-welfare, child-welfare, and other social causes. Its current website also provides international payment support.

Ketto’s published pricing page currently lists a free Bronze plan and a 5% Silver plan, alongside additional support options. Its terms state that funds transferred to campaigners can be subject to Ketto fees, payment-gateway charges, campaign expenses, and applicable taxes.

Ketto also states that campaigners should independently verify campaign details and that it may request information about the use of funds.

Key points to compare:

• Free and paid fundraising support options
• Medical and social fundraising
• International payment support
• Payment-processing and other applicable charges
• Additional promotional and campaign-support services
• Withdrawal requirements and timelines

Because Ketto’s pricing policy can change, fundraisers should check the current plan and terms before launching a campaign.

4. Give.do

Best suited for: Nonprofit and social-impact fundraising

Give.do focuses primarily on charitable giving and nonprofit fundraising. Its website currently states that it has facilitated more than 1.6 million donations and works with 4,000+ verified nonprofits.

The platform is particularly relevant for donors looking to support established nonprofit organisations and social-impact initiatives rather than individuals raising money for a personal emergency.

Key points to compare:

• Strong nonprofit and social-impact focus
• 4,000+ verified nonprofits listed on the platform
• Information about participating organisations
• Fundraising and donation options for social causes
• Relevant compliance information for participating nonprofits

5. DonateKart

Best suited for: NGOs, social-impact causes, and requirement-based fundraising.

DonateKart uses a model that can connect donations with specific products, requirements, or social-impact initiatives. It also offers fundraising options for individuals, NGOs, and institutions.

Its current fundraiser pricing page lists a Free Plan with a 0% platform fee and an Accelerated Plan with a 7% platform fee. The paid plan includes additional support and campaign-visibility features.

Key points to compare:

• NGO and social-impact fundraising
• Requirement- and product-based giving
• Monetary fundraising options
• Free and paid fundraising plans
• Campaign support and visibility options

Fundraisers should review the current pricing and eligibility conditions applicable to their campaign.

What Are Donation Crowdfunding Platforms in India?

Donation crowdfunding platforms are online platforms that connect people raising money for a stated cause with individuals or organisations willing to contribute financially.

Unlike investment-based crowdfunding, donors generally do not receive shares, interest, or repayment in return for their contribution.

Common uses include:

• Medical treatment and healthcare expenses
• Emergency financial assistance
• Education
• NGO and nonprofit initiatives
• Disaster relief
• Animal welfare
• Community projects
• Other personal or social causes

The key characteristic of donation-based crowdfunding is that the contribution is made to support a cause rather than to obtain a financial return.

Donation Crowdfunding vs Other Types of Crowdfunding

Type of crowdfunding	What contributors provide	What they may receive
Donation crowdfunding	Money	No financial return
Reward crowdfunding	Money	Product, reward, or other non-financial benefit
Equity crowdfunding	Capital	Potential ownership or securities
Peer-to-peer lending	Money as a loan	Repayment, generally with interest

This distinction matters because different forms of crowdfunding can have different regulatory and legal requirements.

How Does Donation Crowdfunding Work in India?

Although the exact process differs between crowdfunding platforms, a typical donation campaign follows these steps:

1. Create the fundraiser

The organiser explains the cause, beneficiary, funding requirement, and intended use of the funds.

2. Submit supporting information

Depending on the cause, the platform may request identity information, medical documents, treatment estimates, beneficiary details, registrations, or other supporting records.

3. Complete verification

The platform reviews the information according to its own eligibility and due diligence procedures.

4. Publish the campaign

Once approved, the fundraiser receives a campaign page or link that can be shared with potential donors.

5. Receive donations

Donors contribute using the payment methods supported by the crowdfunding website.

6. Request withdrawal or disbursement

The fundraiser provides the documents or information required for funds to be transferred.

7. Share campaign updates

Fundraisers can provide donors with updates about the cause, progress, and use of funds, depending on the platform’s features.

The verification and withdrawal process is platform-specific. A platform may also impose additional requirements depending on the beneficiary and type of fundraiser.

Is Crowdfunding Legal in India?

Donation-based crowdfunding is generally permitted in India, but the applicable legal requirements depend on the nature of the campaign, fundraiser, recipient, and source of funds.

SEBI‘s crowdfunding proposal distinguishes pure donation-based crowdfunding from securities-based crowdfunding. It states that pure donation-based crowdfunding, where donations are sought without offering securities, does not generally fall within SEBI’s regulatory purview.

This does not mean that every crowdfunding campaign is outside Indian law.

Depending on the circumstances, a fundraiser may need to consider:

• Income-tax requirements
• Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA)
• Foreign-exchange requirements
• Payment and financial regulations
• Applicable rules for nonprofits and charitable organisations
• Platform-specific eligibility and compliance requirements

The legal treatment therefore depends on the actual fundraising arrangement rather than simply on the fact that a campaign appears on a crowdfunding website.

Can Foreign Donors Contribute to an Indian Crowdfunding Campaign?

Some crowdfunding platforms accept donations from people outside India. However, accepting an international payment does not by itself determine whether the contribution is subject to FCRA requirements.

The Ministry of Home Affairs states that a contribution made by an Indian citizen living overseas from their personal savings through normal banking channels is not treated as a foreign contribution under FCRA. Contributions from foreign citizens and other sources may be treated differently.

Fundraisers receiving overseas donations should therefore consider:

• Who is contributing?
• Who is receiving the funds?
• Is the recipient an individual, NGO, or another organisation?
• What is the purpose of the contribution?
• Does the recipient have the required eligibility or registration where FCRA applies?
• What documentation does the crowdfunding platform require?

For campaigns expected to receive substantial foreign contributions, obtaining professional legal or compliance advice can help avoid problems.

How Much Do Crowdfunding Platforms in India Charge?

There is no single fee structure for crowdfunding platforms in India. The total cost of a campaign may include more than the platform fee.

Fee type	What it means
Platform fee	Charge for the platform’s fundraising service or support plan
Payment-processing fee	Cost associated with processing online donations
GST	Tax that may apply to taxable services or charges
Due-diligence or administration fee	Charge that may apply for verification, safety, or administrative processes
Promotion or marketing fee	Optional charge for additional campaign promotion
Donor support or voluntary contribution	Additional contribution or charge that may apply depending on the platform

For example, ImpactGuru currently lists platform fees of 0%, 3%, 5% and 8% across its four main plans, alongside separate payment-processing/donor-support and applicable administrative charges.

Milaap currently states that it charges a 0% platform fee, while payment-processing charges apply.

Ketto’s current pricing page lists free and paid fundraising plans, while its terms explain that campaign funds may be subject to applicable platform fees, payment-gateway charges, campaign expenses, and taxes.

DonateKart currently lists a free plan with 0% platform fee and an accelerated plan with a 7% platform fee.

Does a 0% Platform Fee Mean There Are No Charges?

No.

A 0% platform fee means the platform does not charge its stated platform or service fee under that particular plan. It does not necessarily mean that every rupee donated becomes available for withdrawal.

Depending on the platform and campaign, other costs can include:

• Payment-processing charges
• GST on applicable services
• Due-diligence or administration charges
• Campaign or advertising expenses
• Optional promotional services

For this reason, fundraisers should compare the expected net amount received, not just the headline platform fee.

Example: Why the Platform Fee Is Not the Whole Cost

Suppose a fundraiser receives ₹1,00,000 in donations.

If the platform has a 0% platform fee but applies a payment-processing charge and GST on applicable services, the amount ultimately available to the fundraiser may be lower than ₹1,00,000.

The exact deduction depends on the platform, payment method, campaign plan, and applicable terms. Always check how each charge is calculated before setting a fundraising target.

How to Identify a Genuine Crowdfunding Platform in India

A genuine crowdfunding platform should provide reasonably clear information about its operations, campaign requirements, fees, verification process, withdrawals, and support channels.

However, a genuine crowdfunding platform does not automatically mean that every campaign hosted on it is genuine. Donors should assess the individual fundraiser as well.

What Donors Should Check

1. Supporting documents

Medical campaigns should provide relevant treatment estimates, hospital information, or other supporting documents where appropriate.

2. Beneficiary information

Check whether the beneficiary, organiser, and purpose of fundraising are clearly identified.

3. Campaign updates

Regular updates can help donors understand whether the stated need is still current and how the campaign is progressing.

4. Intended use of funds

Look for information explaining how the money is expected to be used.

5. Payment destination

Be cautious if someone asks you to bypass the crowdfunding website and transfer money to an unrelated bank account, UPI ID, or personal payment link.

6. Consistency of information

Compare the campaign story, photographs, documents, beneficiary information, and updates. Significant inconsistencies deserve additional verification.

7. Platform support

Check whether the crowdfunding website provides a customer-support or grievance channel.

8. Published terms

Review the platform’s fee structure, refund rules, withdrawal conditions, and eligibility requirements before donating or starting a fundraiser.

Red Flags to Watch for Before Donating

A campaign deserves additional scrutiny when:

• The organiser refuses to provide reasonable supporting information.
• The beneficiary details keep changing without explanation.
• The campaign makes urgent claims but provides no evidence.
• The fundraiser asks donors to pay outside the official platform without a clear reason.
• The payment destination does not match the stated beneficiary or organisation.
• Images or documents appear inconsistent with the campaign story.
• The fundraiser discourages reasonable questions about the use of funds.

These signs do not automatically prove fraud, but they are reasons to verify the campaign before donating.

Tax Rules for Crowdfunding Donations in India (2026)

Tax treatment depends on who receives the money, why it is received, and whether the applicable statutory conditions are satisfied.

A donation made through a crowdfunding platform does not automatically qualify for a tax deduction simply because the payment was made online.

Do Crowdfunding Donations Qualify for Tax Deductions?

Not automatically.

The tax treatment depends primarily on the recipient and the conditions prescribed under the applicable tax law.

A donation to an eligible charitable organisation may qualify for a deduction if the organisation and donation meet the statutory requirements. A contribution to an individual’s personal or medical fundraiser should not automatically be treated as an eligible charitable donation.

For tax years beginning from 2026–27, the Income-tax Act, 2025 applies. The new framework provides for deductions for eligible donations under Section 133, subject to the applicable conditions.

What Are Forms 113 and 114?

The Income Tax Department states that eligible registered nonprofit organisations and specified persons use Form 113 to report qualifying donations. After Form 113 is filed, Form 114 serves as the donation certificate issued to donors.

The new reporting framework applies from Tax Year 2026–27 for the relevant reporting persons and donations.

For a donor claiming a deduction, the relevant donation documentation should therefore be checked rather than assuming that any payment made through a crowdfunding website qualifies.

Does the ₹2,000 Rule Apply?

Yes, subject to the other requirements of the law.

Under the new tax framework, donations above ₹2,000 do not qualify for the relevant deduction when made in cash; the applicable provision requires payment through a mode other than cash for such donations.

Can I Claim a Tax Deduction for an Individual’s Medical Fundraiser?

Do not assume so.

A medical fundraiser for an individual is different from a donation made to an eligible charitable organisation.

If the campaign is for an individual’s treatment or personal expenses, the donor should not automatically treat the contribution as an eligible charitable donation. Check the recipient’s status and the documentation provided before claiming any tax benefit.

Are Crowdfunding Funds Taxable for the Fundraiser?

There is no single tax treatment for every crowdfunding campaign.

The treatment of money received can depend on factors such as:

• Who receives the funds
• The purpose of the fundraiser
• The relationship between the donor and beneficiary
• The nature of the receipt
• Whether the fundraiser is conducted by an individual, organisation or nonprofit
• Other applicable provisions of tax law

For substantial fundraising amounts, especially when an individual receives funds directly, consult a qualified tax professional.

This article provides general information and should not be treated as individual tax or legal advice.

How to Choose a Crowdfunding Platform for Your Cause

The right crowdfunding platform depends on what you are raising money for and how much support you need.

For Medical Fundraising

Look for:

• Document-based verification
• Clear beneficiary information
• Hospital or healthcare-provider documentation
• Transparent withdrawal procedures
• Suitable payment options
• Clear information about platform and processing charges
• Donor communication tools

ImpactGuru, Milaap and Ketto all support medical fundraising, but their fees, support models and processes differ.

For NGO and Nonprofit Fundraising

Look for:

• Support for registered nonprofit organisations
• Information about relevant registrations and compliance
• Donation receipts or tax documentation where applicable
• Donor communication tools
• Information about fund utilisation

Give.do a strong nonprofit and social-impact focus, while DonateKart supports NGOs and requirement-based fundraising.

For Product or In-Kind Needs

If the objective is to provide specific products or meet identified requirements rather than simply raise unrestricted cash, a requirement-based model such as DonateKart may be relevant.

For International Donors

If a significant share of your potential donors is outside India, compare:

• International payment availability
• Currency support
• Withdrawal procedures
• Applicable platform and payment charges
• Recipient eligibility
• FCRA requirements, where applicable

Do not assume that accepting an international card or payment automatically resolves FCRA compliance.

What Should You Compare Before Starting a Fundraiser?

Before selecting an Indian crowdfunding platform, compare the following:

Factor	What to check
Cause eligibility	Does the platform support your type of fundraiser?
Verification	What identity and supporting documents are required?
Platform fee	What percentage or fixed charge applies?
Other charges	Are payment-processing, GST, or administration charges applicable?
Withdrawal	How and when can funds be transferred?
Beneficiary	Whose account receives the funds?
International donations	Are overseas donations supported, and what requirements apply?
Tax benefits	Is the recipient eligible for a donation deduction?
Updates	Can donors receive campaign updates?
Support	What assistance is available during the campaign?
Refunds	What happens if a campaign is cancelled or a donation is disputed?
Terms	What happens if the fundraiser does not reach its goal?

Comparing these factors gives fundraisers a clearer picture of the actual cost, process, and suitability of a crowdfunding platform.

Conclusion

Donation crowdfunding platforms in India give individuals, families, nonprofits, and organisations a way to reach donors online for medical, personal, and social causes. The right crowdfunding platform depends on the cause, beneficiary, documentation, donor base, support requirements, and total campaign costs. ImpactGuru, Milaap, and Ketto support medical and personal fundraising, while Give. do focuses strongly on nonprofit causes.do focuses strongly on nonprofit causes, and DonateKart offers requirement-based and other fundraising options. Before starting or donating, compare the full fee structure, verification process, withdrawal terms, and applicable tax rules. Most importantly, verify the individual campaign independently and review the platform’s latest terms before making a financial decision.

FAQs About Donation Crowdfunding Platforms in India