Is JustGiving safe to use?

Asked by: Oswald Dietrich Jr.  |  Last update: July 28, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (73 votes)

JustGiving is generally considered a safe and secure platform for donating to charities and personal causes. It utilizes updated fraud protection, encrypts payment data, and verifies the identity of page creators. However, it is essential to exercise due diligence, especially with personal crowdfunding, as JustGiving does not offer a,{"Link": "guarantee on the use of funds for non-charity projects"}.

Is JustGiving a legit website?

We'll send everything you raise straight to your chosen bank account, minus these processing costs. JustGiving is the world's most trusted platform for online giving. Founded in 2000, we have been helping people raise money for what matters for over 20 years.

What is the JustGiving controversy?

It raises income from transactions on credit cards but also ask donors for a contribution to fees that are hard to remove. JustGiving faces investigation over claims donors are misled.

Does JustGiving work in the USA?

Through JustGiving you can donate from anywhere in the world in one of five currencies: British pounds, US dollars, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars and euros.

What is better, GoFundMe or JustGiving?

JustGiving focuses primarily on charity fundraising with strong regulatory protection, while GoFundMe is a broader platform for personal, medical, or charity causes, known for its user-friendliness and "GoFundMe Guarantee" for donor reassurance, with fees often covered by optional donor tips. Key differences lie in their primary focus (charity vs. personal), fee structures (JustGiving's direct fees vs. GoFundMe's donor-covered model), and regulatory backing (JustGiving as an API).

Why use JustGiving?

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Do JustGiving charges a fee?

Welcome to JustGiving! We help people from all over the world raise money for the causes they care about. We're passionate about supporting charities, so we don't charge any fees on individual charity donations. Instead, we give donors the option to make a voluntary contribution to support our platform's upkeep.

Is JustGiving secure?

Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity.

What is the safest way to donate money?

Donate by credit card or check.

It's the safest way to donate. If the charity doesn't accept checks or credit cards, it's likely a scam.

Who is JustGiving owned by?

JustGiving is a British multinational online social platform for charity giving. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Bankside, London, England. JustGiving has been owned by Blackbaud since its acquisition in October 2017.

How do I know if a fundraiser is genuine?

To know if a fundraiser is legitimate, research the charity using sites like Charity Navigator, Give.org, or the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) to confirm registration and tax status, check for clear information about the cause and fund usage on the organization's website, look for red flags like high-pressure tactics or vague details, and use secure payment methods like credit cards. Always verify the organization's details yourself rather than relying solely on social media requests, and be wary of urgent appeals or requests for non-traceable payments like gift cards.

Why does JustGiving add a tip?

Tips (like yours) help towards our running costs, give you a seamless donation experience, and make JustGiving the easiest place to raise money for good causes all over the world!

What is the 3 to 1 rule for fundraising?

The "3 to 1 fundraising rule" has two main meanings: either identifying three times the amount you need in potential funding to account for donors who don't commit, or for PTAs (Parent-Teacher Associations), balancing three non-fundraising programs for every one fundraiser to focus on mission over money. A third meaning involves cultivating donors with three touches between asks to build relationships.

What happens if a crowdfunding fails?

If the project fails to reach its funding target within the time allowed, it will either receive an extension at Simple Crowdfunding's discretion or it will be cancelled. The minimum target must be reached for a project to go ahead. In the event the project is cancelled, all investor funds will be returned.

Is GoFundMe or crowdfunding better?

Depending on how much money you're looking to raise – and how confident you are in marketing your campaign – GoFundMe is a perfectly adequate option for fundraising your campaign. Indiegogo is a good option if your project doesn't fall into the specific categories that other crowdfunding sites cater to.

Is GoFundMe or JustGiving better?

When comparing JustGiving vs GoFundMe, GoFundMe offers more flexibility for personal and emergency fundraising, while JustGiving is more focused on charity fundraising with additional support for registered nonprofits. Both are trusted platforms but differ in fee structures and campaign types.

Do JustGiving charge a fee?

JustGiving has 0% platform fees and operates a voluntary contribution model. There is a payment processing fee of 1.9% + £0.20 per donation, plus a small fee for processing Gift Aid (if applicable).

How long does JustGiving take to pay out?

We're not able to make any guarantees as to exactly when funds will be received, however it typically takes 4-6 working days for funds to reach your account once you've requested a withdrawal, or once your page has closed.

What are the risks of using fundraising sites?

Donors to crowdfunding campaigns for the development of medical treatments risk losing the money they donate. Chances are that the medical treatment won't work. People also can be misinformed about the safety of these unproven treatments and may face serious harm from trying them out.