Tobi had always been a top student, the first to arrive at lectures and the last to leave the library. But when his final-year tuition bill arrived, reality hit, he was ₦500,000 short. With no scholarships left to apply for and his parents struggling financially, his dream of graduating seemed out of reach. Dropping out so close to graduation felt like a nightmare, but he had no idea where else to turn. Then, he found education crowdfunding platforms—online fundraising tools that connect students with people willing to support their education.
Education should never be cut short because of money and that’s where education crowdfunding platforms come in. These platforms connect students, teachers, and schools with people willing to support their dreams. Instead of struggling with student loans or waiting for grants, crowdfunding for education allows anyone to raise money for tuition, school supplies, research, and even entire school projects.
However, not all crowdfunding websites for education are the same. Some offer zero platform fees, while others take a significant cut. Whether you’re a student like Tobi, a teacher looking to equip your classroom, or a school in need of funding, choosing the right platform is key. Here are the 15 best crowdfunding platforms for education to help you raise the money you need.
See also: List of the Best Crowdfunding Platforms in the World
Understanding Education Crowdfunding
What Is Education Crowdfunding?
Education crowdfunding is the process of raising money online to support educational needs. It allows students, teachers, and schools to reach out to a large audience for financial support, whether for tuition, classroom supplies, research projects, or even school renovations. Unlike student loans that come with interest or scholarships with strict eligibility criteria, education crowdfunding platforms make it possible for anyone to raise funds with no financial burden afterward.
Why Crowdfunding for Education Is Growing
Education is expensive, and traditional funding methods don’t always work for everyone. Students may not qualify for scholarships, families may struggle with tuition fees, and schools often lack government funding for crucial projects. Crowdfunding for education provides a faster and more accessible solution by allowing individuals and institutions to receive support from their personal networks and even strangers who believe in their cause.
Key reasons why education crowdfunding is gaining popularity:
- No Repayment Required – Unlike student loans that accumulate interest, funds raised through crowdfunding websites for education do not have to be paid back. This makes it a stress-free way to secure financial support.
- Quick and Easy Access to Funds – Unlike scholarships or grants that have long application processes and strict eligibility criteria, education crowdfunding allows anyone to start a campaign instantly. Funds can be raised within days or weeks, depending on how well the campaign is promoted.
- Global Reach – Thanks to social media and digital marketing, crowdfunding campaigns can reach beyond friends and family to a global audience. A student in Nigeria can receive donations from supporters in the U.S., the U.K., or anywhere in the world.
- Builds a Supportive Community – Many donors contribute not just because they can afford to but because they genuinely care about education. Whether it’s alumni supporting their old school or teachers funding their students, crowdfunding creates a culture of giving.
- Supports a Wide Range of Educational Needs – From tuition fees and classroom supplies to research projects and school renovations, crowdfunding can be used for virtually any educational expense. It’s a flexible funding solution that adapts to different needs.
Education crowdfunding is not just for individual students. Schools, universities, and nonprofit organisations also use crowdfunding websites for education to build new classrooms, purchase learning materials, and support underprivileged students. But how exactly does it work? Let’s break it down.
How Education Crowdfunding Platforms Work
Raising money through education crowdfunding platforms is simple, but success depends on strategy. Here’s how the process works:
- Set Up a Campaign – Choose a crowdfunding platform for education, create an account, and start a campaign. Clearly state your funding goal, explain why you need the money, and outline how it will be used.
- Tell a Compelling Story – Donors are more likely to contribute if they connect with your story. Whether you’re a student raising tuition or a teacher funding classroom supplies, use personal experiences and emotions to make your campaign relatable.
- Share and Promote – Your network is your biggest asset. Share your campaign on social media, email, and WhatsApp groups. Reach out to friends, family, alumni, and community members. The more people see your campaign, the higher your chances of success.
- Receive Donations – Once donations start coming in, express gratitude. Thank donors publicly, send them updates, and show how their contributions are making a difference.
- Withdraw and Use Funds – Some crowdfunding websites for education release funds immediately, while others require you to reach your goal first. Once you receive the money, use it as promised to maintain trust with donors.
Types of Education Crowdfunding
Not all education crowdfunding platforms work the same way. There are different types of crowdfunding models, each with its own benefits:
- Donation-Based Crowdfunding – The most common model for education. People donate money without expecting anything in return.
- Reward-Based Crowdfunding – Donors receive a small reward, such as a thank-you note, social media shout-out, or exclusive content.
- Peer-to-Peer Lending Crowdfunding – Students borrow money from individual lenders and pay back over time, usually with low or no interest.
- Equity-Based Crowdfunding – More common for EdTech startups or educational businesses. Investors receive a stake in exchange for their contributions.
Understanding how these platforms work can help you choose the best one for your needs.
15 Best Education Crowdfunding Platforms to Raise Money
Not all education crowdfunding platforms are created equal. Some are designed specifically for students, while others cater to schools and nonprofit educational projects. Some charge high platform fees, while others offer free fundraising. To help you make the best choice, here are 15 of the best crowdfunding platforms for education, how they work, and their downsides.
1. GoFundMe Education
GoFundMe is one of the most widely used education crowdfunding platforms, allowing students, teachers, and schools to raise money for tuition, classroom materials, educational trips, and research. It operates on a donation-based model, meaning donors give without expecting anything in return. Setting up a campaign is simple, users create a fundraising page, set a goal, and share their story through social media and email. Unlike some platforms, GoFundMe allows users to withdraw funds at any time, whether or not they meet their target. This flexibility makes it a great option for urgent educational needs.
However, success depends heavily on how well a campaign is promoted. Since GoFundMe does not actively promote campaigns, users must rely on their networks to attract donors. Additionally, while the platform does not charge a setup fee, it deducts a standard transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per donation.
See also: Best Crowdfunding Sites for Nonprofits
2. DonorsChoose
Designed specifically for teachers and schools, DonorsChoose helps educators raise funds for classroom projects, technology, books, and extracurricular activities. Instead of providing cash to fundraisers, DonorsChoose directly purchases the requested materials and ships them to the classroom. This ensures that donor contributions are used exactly as intended, increasing trust and transparency.
Teachers create a project page detailing their needs, and donors browse through campaigns to find projects they want to support. The platform also collaborates with corporate sponsors, which can sometimes match donations, doubling the impact of contributions.
However, DonorsChoose is only available to public school teachers in the U.S., limiting its accessibility to educators in other regions. Additionally, teachers cannot access funds directly—they receive the materials they requested instead of cash, which may not always be ideal for every need.
3. Indiegogo Education
Indiegogo offers a flexible crowdfunding platform for education, supporting students, teachers, and EdTech startups. It allows both donation-based and reward-based fundraising, meaning fundraisers can offer perks—such as thank-you notes, early access to educational content, or digital rewards to incentivise contributions. Users can choose between two funding models: “Fixed Funding,” where funds are only collected if the target goal is met, or “Flexible Funding,” where users keep whatever they raise, regardless of whether they reach their goal.
While Indiegogo provides a global reach, it charges a 5% platform fee, plus processing fees. Additionally, all-or-nothing campaigns can be risky, as failing to meet a goal means losing all funds raised under the Fixed Funding model.
4. GiveCampus
GiveCampus is a crowdfunding website for education specifically designed for schools, colleges, and universities. It helps institutions raise money for scholarships, student support programs, infrastructure, and classroom technology. The platform provides real-time analytics, donor engagement tools, and peer-to-peer fundraising features, making it easier for institutions to track donations and run successful campaigns.
Since GiveCampus is designed for educational institutions rather than individuals, students cannot start campaigns on their own. Additionally, the platform requires a subscription fee, which may be expensive for smaller schools or colleges with limited budgets.
5. Fundly
Fundly is a simple yet powerful education crowdfunding platform that helps students, teachers, and schools raise money for tuition, classroom supplies, and school projects. Unlike some platforms that require users to meet a fundraising goal before withdrawing funds, Fundly offers a keep-what-you-raise model, allowing fundraisers to access donations as they come in. This makes it an excellent option for students who need urgent financial assistance or teachers looking to quickly secure funds for classroom resources.
The platform is designed for easy customization. Fundraisers can create visually appealing campaign pages with high-quality images, videos, and compelling storytelling. The more engaging the campaign, the higher the chances of attracting donors. Fundly also integrates seamlessly with social media, enabling users to share their campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, and email to reach a wider audience.
However, Fundly does come with costs. It charges a 4.9% platform fee, plus standard credit card processing fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. This means that a portion of the donations received will go toward platform charges. Additionally, because Fundly does not actively promote campaigns, success depends entirely on how well a fundraiser engages with their network and markets their campaign. Fundraisers who do not have a strong social media presence may struggle to reach their funding goals.
6. Edco
Edco is a crowdfunding platform for education designed specifically for student groups, school clubs, and extracurricular activities. Unlike general-purpose crowdfunding sites, Edco is built to help students raise money for sports teams, academic competitions, field trips, and school events. This makes it a great choice for fundraising efforts that involve multiple students or require school approval.
One of Edco’s standout features is its direct-to-school funding model. Instead of sending funds to individuals, donations are deposited directly into the school or club’s account. This ensures transparency and prevents misuse of funds. Campaign organizers can track donations in real-time and access built-in donor management tools to engage with supporters.
However, Edco has some limitations. It is only available in the U.S., making it inaccessible for students and educators in other countries. Additionally, because funds go directly to schools, students cannot use Edco to raise money for personal educational expenses, such as tuition or study materials. Schools must also approve and oversee campaigns, which can slow down the fundraising process.
See also: Best Crowdfunding Sites and Platforms in 2025
7. ScholarMatch
ScholarMatch is a unique education crowdfunding platform that connects low-income students with donors willing to fund their college education. Unlike traditional crowdfunding platforms where users raise money through public campaigns, ScholarMatch works as a student sponsorship platform. Students create detailed profiles outlining their academic achievements, career goals, and financial needs, and donors browse these profiles to select students they want to support.
ScholarMatch offers more than just financial assistance. It also provides mentorship, college application support, and career guidance to help students succeed beyond fundraising. This makes it an excellent choice for students who need long-term support rather than just a one-time donation.
One downside, however, is that funds are sent directly to the student’s college or university, not to the student themselves. This means students cannot use the money for personal expenses like housing, books, or transportation. Additionally, ScholarMatch is only available to students in the U.S., limiting its reach to international students.
8. Patreon for Education
Patreon is not a traditional crowdfunding website for education, but it has become a popular fundraising tool for educators, tutors, and researchers. Unlike one-time donation platforms, Patreon works on a subscription-based model, where supporters pledge a monthly amount to access exclusive educational content. This makes it an excellent option for teachers, professors, or content creators who regularly produce online courses, study materials, or research updates.
Educators on Patreon can offer different membership tiers, giving donors access to perks like personalized tutoring, digital resources, video lectures, or exclusive discussion forums. This not only helps raise money but also allows educators to build a loyal community of learners and supporters.
However, Patreon requires consistent content creation to retain subscribers. Unlike donation-based crowdfunding, where people give money once and move on, Patreon donors expect ongoing value. This can be time-consuming for educators who do not have the capacity to produce regular content. Additionally, Patreon charges a service fee ranging from 5% to 12%, plus payment processing fees, which can eat into earnings.
9. Classy
Classy is a professional crowdfunding platform for education that primarily serves nonprofits and educational institutions. It provides a suite of fundraising tools, including peer-to-peer campaigns, donation pages, and event fundraising, making it an ideal platform for schools, universities, and scholarship funds looking to raise money on a larger scale.
One of Classy’s key strengths is its robust donor management system, which allows organizations to track donor engagement, send automated thank-you messages, and analyze fundraising performance. Institutions can also set up recurring donation options, encouraging long-term support from alumni and sponsors.
However, Classy is not designed for individuals—only registered nonprofit organizations can create campaigns. This means that students or teachers raising money for personal educational expenses will need to look elsewhere. Additionally, Classy requires a monthly subscription fee, which can be expensive for small organizations with limited budgets.
10. Experiment
Experiment is a niche crowdfunding platform for education, specifically designed for scientific and academic research projects. Unlike traditional fundraising platforms, Experiment focuses solely on funding research-based initiatives, helping scientists and students raise money for studies that lack traditional funding.
To launch a campaign, researchers must provide a detailed project proposal, including their research objectives, methodology, and expected impact. This ensures that all projects meet high academic standards and appeal to potential backers. Experiment also offers a transparent funding model, where donors can track the progress of the research they support.
However, there are some drawbacks. Funds are only released if the campaign meets its full fundraising goal, meaning partial funding is not an option. Additionally, because Experiment is a highly specialized platform, campaigns must be research-focused—students raising money for tuition, classroom needs, or general education costs will not qualify.
11. Kiva Education Loans
Kiva operates differently from most crowdfunding platforms for education. Instead of offering donation-based fundraising, it provides interest-free microloans to students. Individuals lend small amounts to students in need, and the borrower repays the loan over time. This model allows students to access financial support without turning to high-interest bank loans.
However, since Kiva operates as a lending platform rather than a donation-based crowdfunding site, borrowers must repay the funds. While this is an advantage for students who prefer loans over handouts, it may not be the best option for those looking for debt-free funding. Additionally, approval is not guaranteed, as Kiva works with local partners to assess applications before granting loans.
12. 360Giving
360Giving is a platform that focuses on grant transparency and funding opportunities rather than direct crowdfunding. It provides a comprehensive database of educational grants and funding programs available to students, researchers, and nonprofit organizations.
Instead of hosting fundraising campaigns, 360Giving acts as an informational hub that connects individuals and institutions with potential grant providers. The platform’s open data approach helps users identify funding trends, locate available grants, and improve access to financial support.
While it is a valuable resource for finding education funding, 360Giving does not allow users to raise money directly. Students and educators must apply separately for grants through the funding organizations listed in the database.
13. Pozible Education
Pozible is a crowdfunding platform that helps students, teachers, and education-focused entrepreneurs raise money for academic projects, learning resources, and innovative educational initiatives. The platform is particularly popular among EdTech startups, academic researchers, and social enterprises working in the education sector.
Pozible allows users to create campaigns that showcase their educational projects, set funding goals, and offer rewards to backers in return for contributions. The platform has successfully funded projects ranging from classroom resources to university research initiatives.
However, Pozible charges a 5% platform fee on successful campaigns, and its primary user base is in Australia, making it less accessible for international students and educators.
14. AdoptAClassroom
AdoptAClassroom is a crowdfunding platform that connects teachers with donors to help fund classroom supplies and educational materials. Like DonorsChoose, the platform allows teachers to create wish lists of materials they need, and donors can contribute directly to fund those items.
One unique feature of AdoptAClassroom is that funds go directly to purchasing supplies from the platform’s partner vendors, ensuring that donations are used for educational purposes. This removes the administrative burden from teachers and increases donor trust.
However, the platform is only available in the U.S., and funds cannot be used for personal expenses like teacher salaries, school trips, or extracurricular activities.
15. EdSeed
EdSeed is a crowdfunding platform dedicated to supporting refugee and conflict-affected students in their pursuit of higher education. It provides a space for students to share their stories, set funding goals, and raise money for tuition and related expenses.
Unlike general crowdfunding platforms, EdSeed focuses on students facing extreme financial hardship due to war, displacement, or economic instability. It partners with organizations that vet students’ academic credentials and financial needs before allowing them to start campaigns.
However, because EdSeed primarily serves displaced and marginalized students, those outside these categories may not be eligible to create campaigns. The platform also has a highly competitive funding environment, as many students seek support from a limited donor pool.
Key Takeaways from Education Crowdfunding Platforms to raise money
- Education crowdfunding platforms provide alternative funding options for students, teachers, and schools, allowing them to raise money for tuition, classroom supplies, and research projects.
- Different platforms cater to specific needs. Some focus on microloans, others on grants, creative projects, classroom support, or underserved students.
- Understanding platform fees, eligibility, and funding models is essential before starting a campaign, as some require repayments or limit fund usage.
- Success in crowdfunding depends on effective storytelling, social sharing, and campaign management. Platforms like EdSeed prioritize compelling personal stories to attract donors.
- Geographic limitations exist. Some platforms operate globally, while others serve specific regions (e.g., Pozible is mainly for Australia, and AdoptAClassroom is for U.S. educators).
Conclusion
Education crowdfunding platforms have transformed the way students, educators, and institutions access financial support. Whether you need tuition assistance, funding for research, or classroom resources, these platforms offer a variety of options tailored to different needs.
However, choosing the right platform requires careful consideration of eligibility criteria, repayment obligations (if applicable), platform fees, and the likelihood of reaching funding goals. The most successful crowdfunding campaigns leverage strong storytelling, social media promotion, and transparent communication with donors to maximize support.
If you’re looking to raise money for education, explore these platforms, craft a compelling campaign, and actively engage with potential donors. The right approach can make all the difference in securing the financial help you need to achieve your academic or educational goals.
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FAQs on Education Crowdfunding Platforms to raise money
What is an education crowdfunding platform?
An education crowdfunding platform is an online service that allows students, teachers, and schools to raise funds for tuition, classroom supplies, research, and other educational needs through donations, grants, or microloans.
Which crowdfunding platform is best for students needing tuition assistance?
Platforms like Kiva (interest-free loans) and EdSeed (for refugee and underserved students) are great options for tuition funding. For donation-based fundraising, general crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe can also be useful.
Do I need to repay money raised through crowdfunding?
It depends on the platform. Kiva loans must be repaid, while donation-based platforms like AdoptAClassroom and EdSeed do not require repayment.
Are there fees for using education crowdfunding platforms?
Some platforms charge fees. Pozible, for example, takes a 5% platform fee on successful campaigns. Other platforms, like Kiva, do not charge borrowers but require repayments.
Can international students use these platforms?
Some platforms, like Kiva and EdSeed, accept international students, while others, like AdoptAClassroom, are restricted to specific countries. Always check the eligibility criteria before starting a campaign.
What happens if I don’t reach my funding goal?
Each platform has different rules. Some, like Pozible, operate on an all-or-nothing basis, meaning you only get funds if you meet your goal. Others, like GoFundMe, allow you to keep whatever amount you raise.
How do I withdraw the funds raised?
Funds are typically transferred via bank deposit, PayPal, or platform-specific payment systems once the campaign ends. Some platforms, like AdoptAClassroom, send funds directly to vendors instead of individuals.
