--- title: "How To Launch A Givebutter Fundraiser For Your Newsroom" id: "2271" type: "post" slug: "nonprofit-fundraiser-newsroom" published_at: "2026-01-05T13:00:19+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-28T00:20:20+00:00" url: "https://mediacopilot.ai/nonprofit-fundraiser-newsroom/" markdown_url: "https://mediacopilot.ai/nonprofit-fundraiser-newsroom.md" excerpt: "Setting up donation forms, campaign pages and events on a free-tier fundraising platform." taxonomy_category: - "Guides" - "How-to" taxonomy_post_tag: - "givebutter" - "fundraising" --- # How To Launch A Givebutter Fundraiser For Your Newsroom Setting up donation forms, campaign pages and events on a free-tier fundraising platform. ![a typewriter with the the word "donations" on its page emphasizing the role of nonprofit newsroom fundraising.](https://mediacopilot.ai/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/markus-winkler-wLBVAF-kMR0-unsplash-400x225.jpg) Newsrooms can use tools like GiveButter to launch fundraising campaigns. (Credit: [Markus Winkler](https://unsplash.com/@markuswinkler?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-a-typewriter-with-a-donation-sign-on-it-wLBVAF-kMR0?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) ) Mar 3, 2026 **By [The Copilot](https://mediacopilot.ai/author/thecopilot/) , generated from [Getting started with Givebutter for fundraising](https://www.newsmediahelpdesk.org/givebutter-fundraising-setup-guide/) by [Stefan Etienne](https://mediacopilot.ai/author/stefanetienne/) on January 5, 2026** [Givebutter](https://givebutter.com/) is a nonprofit fundraising platform that offers donation collection, campaign pages and event ticketing at no monthly cost on its basic tier. For news organizations exploring reader revenue, it provides a low-barrier entry point—though its fee structure and data portability limitations warrant attention. ### Key Takeaways - Givebutter’s free tier lets nonprofit newsrooms collect donations with no monthly fee. - Optional donor tips fund the platform; declining tips triggers a 3% transaction fee. - Forms, campaigns, and event ticketing make it a low-barrier reader-revenue starter. [Are you an AI Agent? Read more here >](https://mediacopilot.ai/nonprofit-fundraiser-newsroom.md) This guide covers the essentials of getting a Givebutter campaign running. ### The gist Givebutter lets newsrooms collect donations and sell event tickets without paying monthly software fees. - Free tier relies on optional donor tips; declining to donors the option to tip triggers a 3% platform fee - Three campaign types: donation forms, fundraising pages, and ticketed events ### How to set it up Givebutter’s setup process is designed for users without technical support. - Create an account at givebutter.com with your nonprofit name, EIN, work email and fundraising goal. - Choose a campaign type: - Donation form for basic, embeddable payment collection - Fundraising page for storytelling, video, progress tracking and matching gifts - Event for ticketed in-person, virtual or hybrid gatherings - Configure campaign details: title, goal, description, branding, SEO metadata, thank-you messages and fee structure. - Connect payment processing: Add bank account information before requesting payouts. - Set up donor communications: Free-tier email tools handle updates, progress notifications and acknowledgments. Paid tiers add SMS and direct mail. - Subscribe to our newsletter How AI is changing media, journalism, and content creation. [Learn More](https://mediacopilot.ai/newsletter/) ![Image](https://mediacopilot.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ads-1024x682.jpg) ### Key numbers Givebutter’s cost structure depends on donor behavior and plan selection. - Basic tier: $0/month; platform requests optional tips from donors. If donors decline to top, Givebutter will cover the transaction fees. - Without tips: 3 percent platform fee + standard processing (2.9 percent + 30¢ for cards; 1.9% + 30¢ for ACH) - Enterprise: Custom pricing for larger organizations ### What to watch for Givebutter’s free model comes with trade-offs newsrooms should understand upfront. - Tip dependency: The “free” label assumes donors agree to tip. Budget for a 3% processing fee if don’t wish to ask for optional tips. (Givebutter will cover the processing fee if you ask for a tip but the donor declines to do so.) - Limited analytics: Advanced reporting requires paid tiers. - No journalism-specific features: Templates and integrations are designed for general nonprofits, not newsrooms. Newsrooms seeking more robust donor management, faster data export or news-specific tools may also want to evaluate FundraiseUp, RevEngine (via News Revenue Hub) or GiveWP. Accounts can be created at [givebutter.com](https://givebutter.com/) . ***Correction**: In a previous version of this post, Givebutter’s capitalization was incorrect. It’s “Givebutter.” Also, fee structure and interoperability with other fundraising platforms was listed incorrectly. The Media Copilot regrets the errors.* Contributors - [Stefan Etienne](https://mediacopilot.ai/author/stefanetienne/) : AuthorStefan Etienne is a technology brand marketer, journalist, and content creator whose work has appeared in CNN, TechCrunch, Input Mag, and IBM. He started his first tech blog, LaptopMemo, at age 12. When not writing about tech, he's gaming, streaming, or hunting down good food. - [The Copilot](https://mediacopilot.ai/author/thecopilot/) : CoauthorI'm a generative AI writer for The Media Copilot. I help author posts, and with the help of human editors, play a growing role in the site's content strategy. - [Christopher Allbritton](https://mediacopilot.ai/author/christopherallbritton/) : EditorChristopher Allbritton covers AI adoption in journalism and newsroom transformation. He brings 20+ years of journalism experience, including roles as Reuters' Pakistan Bureau Chief and TIME's Middle East Correspondent. Category: [Guides](https://mediacopilot.ai/category/guides/) , [How-to](https://mediacopilot.ai/category/how-to/) Tags:[givebutter](https://mediacopilot.ai/tag/givebutter/) | [fundraising](https://mediacopilot.ai/tag/fundraising/) Share this post: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://mediacopilot.ai/nonprofit-fundraiser-newsroom/&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_button) [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://mediacopilot.ai/nonprofit-fundraiser-newsroom/&text=How%20To%20Launch%20A%20Givebutter%20Fundraiser%20For%20Your%20Newsroom) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://mediacopilot.ai/nonprofit-fundraiser-newsroom/) [Email](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b24686e79717e786f2642746e693e292b7d69727e757f3e292b737a683e292b68737a697e7f3e292b7a753e292b7a696f7278777e3e292b6c726f733e292b62746e353d382b28232079747f622653746c3e292b4f743e292b577a6e7578733e292b5a3e292b5c726d7e796e6f6f7e693e292b5d6e757f697a72687e693e292b5d74693e292b42746e693e292b557e6c68697474763e2b5f3e2b5a736f6f6b683e285a3e295d3e295d767e7f727a78746b7277746f357a723e295d7574756b69747d726f367d6e757f697a72687e6936757e6c68697474763e295d3e2b5f3e2b5a)