Platform review summary
99Pledges review: free a-thon fundraising, explained
99Pledges is built for "a-thon" fundraisers: walk-a-thons, hit-a-thons, read-a-thons and similar events where supporters pledge or donate toward a participant's effort. It's popular with schools and PTAs, and with sports teams running events like hit-a-thons.
- Free for organizations: no startup costs, no platform fee, no minimums or contracts.
- It's funded by optional donor tips shown at checkout, plus standard card processing of 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction (per 99Pledges).
- One review site says payouts land within about one business day after the fundraiser ends, and each group gets a fundraising coach.
- We found few detailed independent reviews, so there's less public feedback to go on than for Snap! Raise or Vertical Raise.
How 99Pledges works
The organizer sets up an event, and each participant gets a personal page to share. Supporters donate or pledge toward the participant, and a live dashboard shows progress and leaderboards. Cash and checks can be entered online with no fee. Because the platform takes no cut, it relies on donors choosing to add a tip.
Review themes
What reviewers like
- Free to use, which stands out in a category full of 20% fees
- Built for a-thon events, with participant pages and leaderboards
- Quick setup and a dedicated coach to help plan the event
- Fast payouts after the campaign ends
Common complaints
- Built mainly for one-off a-thon events, not season-long or general crowdfunding campaigns
- Card processing (3.49% + $0.49) is higher than Stripe's standard 2.9% + 30¢
- Like any tip-supported platform, donors should check the tip amount at checkout
- Limited independent review coverage
Who it's a good fit for
99Pledges suits schools and teams running a single event day where participants collect pledges, such as a hit-a-thon, a free-throw-a-thon or a jog-a-thon. Teams that want pledges tied to real game results across a season (per game, per win) should look at performance-based platforms instead.
How PledgeStop is different: PledgeStop takes no percentage of pledges. Each supporter pays a one-time $1 verification fee when they pledge, and PledgeStop currently covers card processing fees, so the team receives the full pledge amount. Pledges are tied to your team's real season results, entered by the coach, rather than a single event.
Frequently asked questions
Is 99Pledges really free?
For organizations, yes. 99Pledges says there are no startup costs or platform fees. It's supported by optional donor tips, and card processing fees still apply.
What are 99Pledges' processing fees?
99Pledges lists the standard processing cost as 3.49% + $0.49 per credit card donation.
Sources
- 99Pledges Help Center: Pricing
- 99Pledges Help Center: Pricing, fees & secure payments
- Gappsy: 99Pledges review, pricing & features
- 99Pledges vs Vertical Raise (99Pledges' own comparison)
Ratings, review counts and fees were checked on the dates shown and can change. Review themes are summarized in our own words; read the original reviews at the links above.
Disclosure: PledgeStop runs a youth sports fundraising platform, so we compete with some of the services described here. We've tried to present each fairly, including where they do things we don't. Spot an error? Email support@pledgestop.com.