Medical Fundraising with No Platform Fees
When you're facing medical bills, every dollar matters. FreeFunder lets you create a free medical fundraiser in minutes, and unlike other crowdfunding sites, we take 0% platform fees, so more of every donation goes toward care, not costs.
Why Families Choose FreeFunder for Medical Expenses
An unexpected diagnosis, a surgery, a long recovery - medical crises rarely wait until you're financially ready. Even with insurance, families face deductibles, out-of-network specialists, travel to treatment centers, lost income, and everyday bills that don't pause for a hospital stay.
Medical fundraising helps close that gap. By sharing your story with friends, family, and your wider community, you give the people who care about you a simple, direct way to help. And on FreeFunder, helping goes further:
- 0% platform fees. Other crowdfunding sites keep a percentage of what you raise. We don't. The only unavoidable cost is the standard payment processing fee (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction), which goes to Stripe.
- Donations arrive fast. Funds go directly to your (or your beneficiary's) Stripe account as donations come in - no waiting to hit a goal, no monthly payout schedule.
- Keep everything you raise. There's no all-or-nothing rule. Whether you reach 40% or 140% of your goal, every dollar stays with your family.
- We actually donate to your fundraiser. FreeFunder is the only platform that contributes up to $70 to your campaign based on Facebook shares.
What Can a Medical Fundraiser Cover?
People use FreeFunder to raise money for every kind of medical need, including:
- Cancer treatment and clinical trial costs
- Surgery and hospital bills
- Deductibles, copays, and out-of-network care
- Travel and lodging near treatment centers
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- In-home care and caregiver support
- Lost income during treatment and recovery
- Mental health treatment
- Fertility treatments and NICU costs
If it helps you or a loved one get care and get through it, it belongs in a medical fundraiser.
How Medical Fundraising Works on FreeFunder
1. Tell Your Story
Create your fundraiser in minutes: add a photo, set a goal, and explain what you're facing and how funds will help. Honest, specific stories raise the most.
2. Share It Everywhere
Use built-in tools to share on Facebook, text, and email - or use our exclusive Text-to-Donate feature so supporters can give from anywhere.
3. Receive Funds Directly
Donations go straight to the connected Stripe account and on to your bank - typically available within days of your first donation.
Tips for a Successful Medical Fundraiser
- Lead with the person, not the diagnosis. Share who they are, what they love, and what this fight has changed. Donors give to people.
- Be specific about costs. "We need $8,000 for travel and lodging during 6 weeks of treatment in Houston" builds more trust than a round number with no context.
- Post updates. Campaigns that post regular updates raise significantly more. FreeFunder lets you email every update to your followers simply and quickly.
- Add team members. Fighting an illness is exhausting. Invite a friend or family member to help manage the campaign, thank donors, and post updates.
- Share more than once. Most donations come after the third or fourth share. Don't be shy - your community wants to know how to help.
Medical Fundraising FAQs
Correct - FreeFunder charges 0% platform fees. The only cost is Stripe's standard payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, which applies on every crowdfunding platform. Unlike other sites, we never take an additional cut. FreeFunder runs on small optional donations that contributors can choose to add (or set to zero).
Donations go directly to the connected Stripe account as they arrive. The first transfer to your bank is typically available 5 days after your first donation, and on a rolling two-day basis after that - so you can put funds toward bills while treatment is still underway.
Yes. You can create a campaign on behalf of a family member or friend and connect the fundraiser directly to their Stripe account, so donations go straight to them.
Generally, donations to personal fundraisers are considered personal gifts and are not tax-deductible for the donor, and gifts are typically not taxable income for the recipient - but tax situations vary, so both donors and campaign owners should consult a tax advisor.
You keep everything you raise. Funds are transferred as donations come in, so there's no penalty and nothing is withheld if you fall short of your goal.
Add up known costs (bills, deductibles, travel, equipment) plus a buffer for lost income and unexpected expenses. You can always raise your goal later - many families do as treatment plans evolve.
Your community wants to help. Give them the way.