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Nonprofits · head to head

Facebook Fundraisers vs InitLive

Facebook Fundraisers logo

Facebook Fundraisers

Nonprofits

Integrated fundraising on Facebook

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
InitLive logo

InitLive

Nonprofits

Event management and mobile app platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Facebook Fundraisers has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Facebook Fundraisers no donor email collection unless donor explicitly opts in, limiting donor stewardship and relationship-building; InitLive email notification system is weak, lacking ability to track sent emails and resend to unopened recipients
  • They diverge on capability: Facebook Fundraisers covers Campaign creation, InitLive covers Event creation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Facebook Fundraisers and InitLive actually diverge.

Attributes where Facebook Fundraisers and InitLive differ
AttributeFacebook FundraisersInitLive
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20042013

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Nonprofits).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Facebook Fundraisers

  • Campaign creation
  • Donation collection
  • Social sharing
  • Donation tracking
  • Team fundraising
  • Facebook Pages
  • Instagram
  • Messenger

Only in InitLive

  • Event creation
  • Mobile app
  • Registration
  • Check-in
  • Feedback collection
  • Networking tools
  • Stripe
  • PayPal

Both cover

  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Facebook Fundraisers

  • Business operations
  • Productivity
  • Automation

InitLive

  • Business operations
  • Productivity
  • Automation

Both are used for business operations, productivity, automation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Facebook Fundraisers

  • No donor email collection unless donor explicitly opts in, limiting donor stewardship and relationship-building
  • Slow payouts of 15-45 days for enrolled nonprofits, up to 90 days for unenrolled organizations
  • No recurring giving option after discontinuation in 2023, limiting lifetime donor value
  • Limited customization and branding control compared to dedicated fundraising platforms
  • Not available in European Economic Area countries as of July 1, 2024

InitLive

  • Email notification system is weak, lacking ability to track sent emails and resend to unopened recipients
  • Discrepancy between mobile app and web version features and functionality
  • Mobile app tablet optimization is suboptimal compared to phone version
  • Initial setup requires substantial preparation time and configuration

Pricing, plan by plan

Facebook Fundraisers

Free
  • Standard$undefined/mo
    • Donation collection
    • Birthday fundraisers
    • Matching donations on Instagram

InitLive

On request
  • Starter$100/month
    • Event creation
    • Basic mobile app
  • Professional$250/month
    • Advanced features
    • Customization
    • Integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose Facebook Fundraisers if

  • You need campaign creation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want donation collection.
Facebook Fundraisers review

Choose InitLive if

  • You need event creation.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want mobile app.
InitLive review

Questions people ask

Is Facebook Fundraisers or InitLive better?
Neither clearly leads. Facebook Fundraisers starts at Free and InitLive at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Facebook Fundraisers or InitLive?
Facebook Fundraisers has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Facebook Fundraisers and On request for InitLive.
Does Facebook Fundraisers or InitLive run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Facebook Fundraisers for free?
Yes. Facebook Fundraisers has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. InitLive starts at On request.
What is Facebook Fundraisers best used for?
Facebook Fundraisers is most often used for business operations, productivity, automation.
What can Facebook Fundraisers do that InitLive cannot?
Facebook Fundraisers covers Campaign creation, Donation collection, Social sharing, Donation tracking. InitLive covers Event creation, Mobile app, Registration, Check-in. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Facebook Fundraisers: Are there any fees for Facebook Fundraisers for nonprofits?

Meta covers payment processing fees for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. However, PayPal Giving Fund, which processes all donations, applies 1.99% + $0.49 per donation in the US. For eligible nonprofits, Meta covers these fees, so the nonprofit keeps 100% of donations.

Source
InitLive: What communication features does InitLive have?

InitLive includes a broadcasting system that allows sending messages to staff lists with ease, real-time communication during events, and staff can delegate volunteer management to other volunteers.

Source
Facebook Fundraisers: When will I receive my donations?

Enrolled nonprofits receive donations within 15-45 days. Unenrolled organizations wait up to 90 days. Payouts go through PayPal Giving Fund.

Source
InitLive: How is InitLive licensed to nonprofits today?

InitLive was acquired by Bloomerang in March 2023 and rebranded as Bloomerang Volunteer in July 2023. The product continues to operate as part of the Bloomerang nonprofit relationship management platform.

Source
Facebook Fundraisers: Can I collect donor email addresses?

No. Facebook only provides the donor's name and donation amount unless the donor explicitly opts in to share their email during the donation process.

Source
Facebook Fundraisers: Does Facebook Fundraisers support recurring monthly donations?

No. Native recurring giving was discontinued in October 2023. Donors can only make one-time contributions.

Source
Facebook Fundraisers: What platforms can I use to fundraise on?

Facebook Fundraisers are available on Facebook Pages, Instagram, and WhatsApp for verified 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Donors can contribute via donation buttons on posts, stories, live streams, and matching donation features on Instagram.

Source
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