TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--YouCaring.com may be among the Internet’s few crowdfunding sites charging no fees for its services, but the web’s largest crowdfunding review site rated it the top overall platform based on metrics including Ease, Customer Support and Best Funding. According to CrowdsUnite.com founder Alex Feldman, his independent reviewers ranked YouCaring best among some 300 sites—including KickStarter, Indiegogo, RocketHub and Crowdrise.
Co-founded in October, 2011 by CEO Brock Ketcher, Tampa-based YouCaring has—without paid advertising or PR—become the web’s second-most popular site dedicated exclusively to philanthropic fundraisers. And while other sites often use the term “free” in describing the cost to launch fundraisers, YouCaring is the largest platform that does not charge users any fees on donations other than direct processing charges from PayPal or WePay. The site is funded entirely by donors who opt to support YouCaring’s mission while making fundraiser donations.
“We are grateful to CrowdsUnite’s reviewers for our ranking. When you consider how many options are available for crowdfunding, philanthropic or otherwise, it’s humbling to be honored as the top site,” said Brock. “It’s always been our mission to provide the best platform for people in need, and we hope this recognition ultimately benefits our fundraisers and their worthy causes.”
The most significant benefit YouCaring offers fundraisers is the absence of service fees. Other fundraising sites typically charge fundraisers commission fees ranging from 5 to 10 percent of the money raised, in addition to processing charges. Brock believes CrowdsUnite’s reviewers also rated YouCaring highest for Best Funding and Ease because of the superior direction his site offers for creating effective fundraisers.
Brock also noted that total donations through YouCaring passed the $100 million milestone earlier this year (March, 2014). “In just over 2 ½ years, we’ve helped more than 65,000 fundraisers raise over $102,922,000—80 percent of which was generated in the past 12 months. In the process, we’ve saved users at least $5,145,000 in website fees.”
YouCaring strictly limits its fundraisers to philanthropic causes, supporting families and individuals facing challenging life situations. Fundraising categories include Medical Expenses, Memorials / Funerals, Mission Trips, Adoption, Tuition, Help A Neighbor, Pet Expenses and Nonprofits.
