Zeffy

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Zeffy

Zeffy Competitive Intelligence & Landscape

zeffy.com ·

Overview

Zeffy Overview

Zeffy (zeffy.com) is an all-in-one, 100% free fundraising platform specifically designed for nonprofit organizations in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. The company’s core value proposition is to provide comprehensive fundraising tools with zero transaction fees and no platform fees, enabling nonprofits to maximize their impact. Zeffy offers a wide array of services including customizable donation forms, event ticketing, raffles, auctions, membership management, peer-to-peer campaigns, online stores for merchandise sales, and a Tap to Pay app for in-person payments. Additionally, it provides robust donor communication tools like CRM and donor management, newsletters, and direct mail services.

Zeffy started its journey seven years ago and rebranded from Simplyk to Zeffy as it expanded into the United States. Its mission is to empower nonprofits by building technology that helps them maximize their impact globally. The company supports a diverse range of causes, including schools, sports teams, animal rescues, churches, food banks, volunteer fire departments, and arts & culture organizations. To be eligible, organizations must be a nonprofit or registered charity and possess a bank account in their name.

Instead of charging fees to nonprofits, Zeffy relies entirely on optional contributions from donors, who are given the opportunity to contribute to Zeffy at the payment confirmation step. This unique model has enabled Zeffy to process over $1 billion in donations since its founding in 2017, serving over 100,000 nonprofits. The company emphasizes its commitment to helping nonprofits do more with less, reflecting its name, which is inspired by “zephyr,” signifying a gentle and benevolent force. As of recent reports, Zeffy has facilitated over $2 billion in funds raised for its nonprofit partners.

Competitors

Zeffy Competitors

Among the key competitors for Zeffy, a 100% free fundraising software, is Givebutter. Both platforms offer free fundraising tools, including donation forms, campaigns, events, and donor communication features, making them direct rivals in attracting nonprofits seeking zero-cost solutions. While Zeffy emphasizes its completely free model with no transaction or platform fees, Givebutter also operates on a freemium model with 0% fees for many services, and built-in rewards, positioning them as very similar in their core offerings.

RallyUp stands out as another strong alternative, particularly for nonprofits seeking an end-to-end fundraising platform capable of managing multiple campaign types seamlessly. Unlike Zeffy which offers a broad range of free tools, RallyUp focuses on comprehensive campaign management, appealing to organizations with more complex or varied fundraising needs. Its differentiation lies in providing more robust tools for integrated campaign oversight, which might be a key factor for larger or more ambitious fundraising efforts.

Donorbox is another significant competitor, known for its simple web-based donation solutions. While Zeffy offers a wide array of free features from ticketing to auctions, Donorbox focuses on making online giving easy with customizable forms.

Donorbox also provides strong donor-CRM features, though some of its more advanced capabilities may come with a cost, contrasting with Zeffy's entirely free model.

OneCause is positioned as an event-focused platform, specializing in supporting auctions, golf tournaments, and in-person fundraising experiences. This differentiates it from Zeffy's broader, all-in-one approach to fundraising, as OneCause caters more specifically to organizations that prioritize event-based fundraising. Organizations looking for dedicated event management tools might find OneCause more tailored to their needs, despite Zeffy also offering event ticketing and auction functionalities as part of its free suite.

Alternatives

Zeffy Alternatives

Product & Pricing

Zeffy Product and Pricing Intelligence

Zeffy offers a truly unique 100% free fundraising software model, distinguishing itself in a market often characterized by transaction fees and tiered pricing. The company explicitly states that its platform has "$0 Pricing Solutions" and covers all credit card and transaction fees for its users, ensuring that "absolutely zero fees, transaction fees included" are applied [https://www.zeffy.com/home/free-online-fundraising-platform]. This means nonprofits using Zeffy retain 100% of the funds raised, with no hidden fees ever, making it an all-in-one fundraising platform with zero fees.

The Zeffy platform encompasses a comprehensive suite of features, all of which are included in its free offering. These include tools for donations, ticketing for events, raffles and lotteries, auctions, memberships, peer-to-peer campaigns, and online stores [https://www.zeffy.com/]. Additionally, it provides essential backend functionalities such as CRM & Donor Management, newsletter and email capabilities, and even a Tap to Pay App for in-person transactions. Every feature, from customizable donation pages to automated workflows like emails and receipts, is accessible without any cost [https://www.zeffy.com/home/free-online-fundraising-platform].

Zeffy's commitment to a zero-fee model extends to every aspect of its service, even absorbing payment processing and card network costs [https://www.zeffy.com/blog/free-fundraising-platforms]. The company's revenue model relies on optional contributions from donors, who are asked at the payment confirmation step if they would like to leave an optional contribution to Zeffy [https://zeffy.com/home/ticketing-system-fundraising-events]. This voluntary tip system allows Zeffy to maintain its free services for nonprofits without impacting the funds raised for their missions. This approach contrasts sharply with other platforms that typically charge a percentage of donations or a fee per transaction.

Hiring & Layoffs

Zeffy Hiring and Layoffs

Zeffy's current hiring patterns reflect a focus on expansion and technological development, aligning with its mission to provide 100% free fundraising software for nonprofits. The company actively seeks "strong profiles, driven by impact" to join its team [https://www.zeffy.com/home/careers]. As of recent reports, Zeffy has grown into a team of 30 passionate individuals, significantly tripling in size each year and extending its services to nonprofits across the US and Canada [https://www.zeffy.com/home/about-us].

The company is actively recruiting for several key positions, particularly in software development. Notable open roles include an Operation Specialist, a Staff Software Engineer (with options for Paris or Montreal), and a Senior Software Developer in Montreal [https://www.zeffy.com/home/careers]. These full-time positions indicate Zeffy's commitment to enhancing its platform and user experience, which includes a suite of tools for donations, ticketing, raffles, auctions, and CRM [https://zeffy.com/].

Zeffy has not announced any layoffs; instead, its hiring activities signal a period of robust growth and investment in its product offerings. The continuous addition of "many fundraising tools" to provide an all-in-one, simple experience for nonprofits has been a driving force behind its team expansion [https://www.zeffy.com/home/about-us]. This consistent growth suggests a strong market position and a successful strategy in a competitive fundraising software landscape.

The emphasis on software engineering roles, particularly for senior developers, underscores Zeffy's strategic focus on refining and expanding its technological capabilities. This aligns with its goal of bringing transparency and a "100% free" model to the fundraising world [https://www.zeffy.com/home/about-us]. The hiring process involves an "immersion with hiring manager" to ensure cultural fit and a shared commitment to impact [https://www.zeffy.com/home/careers].

Leadership

Zeffy Management and Leadership Team

Zeffy is led by a dedicated executive team, including CEO and Co-Founder François de Kerret. He, along with Thibaut, co-founded the platform, which began from a desire to simplify volunteering and later evolved into providing free fundraising tools for nonprofits. The leadership team at Zeffy includes a CEO, CTO, and CRO, who are involved in cultural interviews to ensure alignment with the company's values [https://www.zeffy.com/home/careers].

While specific details on all C-suite members beyond the CEO are not publicly available, the leadership team is integral to the company's operations.

Myriam is noted for leading recruiting efforts, focusing on bringing in strong profiles and ensuring new hires feel welcome [https://www.zeffy.com/home/careers]. The company also mentions a Board of Directors on its website, although individual names or specific roles within the board are not detailed [https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/team/board-of-directors].

François de Kerret has been a vocal proponent of Zeffy's mission to provide 100% free fundraising software, emphasizing its importance in an environment where nonprofits face increasing challenges and need to maximize every dollar [https://zeffy.com/blog/zeffy-surpasses-1-billion-donations]. His commitment to the nonprofit sector stems from a personal experience of wanting to give back to the community after immigrating to Québec [https://www.zeffy.com/home/about-us].

Zeffy's commitment to its mission is evident in its continuous development of free fundraising solutions. The company's structure appears lean, with a clear focus on its core offerings and a strong emphasis on team culture and mission alignment within its leadership recruitment process.

Financials

Zeffy Financial Performance, Fundraising, M&A

Zeffy operates as a 100% free fundraising software for nonprofits, distinguishing itself by charging zero transaction fees, platform fees, or any other hidden fees [https://zeffy.com/]. Since its founding in 2017, Zeffy has processed over $1 billion in donations and helped charities raise over $2 billion [https://www.zeffy.com/blog/zeffy-surpasses-1-billion-donations][https://www.zeffy.com/en-gb/home/about-us]. The company has experienced significant growth, achieving 200% year-over-year growth and tripling each year, supporting over 50,000 organizations [https://www.zeffy.com/blog/zeffy-surpasses-1-billion-donations][https://www.zeffy.com/en-gb/home/about-us].

Zeffy's unique financial model relies entirely on optional contributions from donors. During the payment confirmation process, donors are asked to leave an optional contribution to Zeffy [https://www.zeffy.com/blog/how-does-zeffy-make-money]. This model allows Zeffy to cover its operational costs, including credit card and transaction fees, without charging the nonprofits using its platform [https://www.zeffy.com/home/free-online-fundraising-platform]. On average, two out of three donors provide a tip, which helps cover Zeffy's expenses [https://www.zeffy.com/home/free-online-fundraising-platform].

This innovative approach enables Zeffy to offer a comprehensive suite of free fundraising tools, including event management and ticketing, donation forms, peer-to-peer campaigns, membership, and eCommerce [https://www.zeffy.com/blog/how-does-zeffy-work-get-to-know-our-help-centre]. By eliminating fees, Zeffy has saved nonprofits over $40 million in fees, allowing them to retain every dollar donated [https://www.zeffy.com/blog/zeffy-reviews]. While specific fundraising rounds, valuations, or M&A activities are not detailed, the significant growth in processed donations and the number of supported nonprofits indicate a strong financial trajectory and market penetration for Zeffy.

Partnerships

Zeffy Partnerships, Clients and Vendors

Zeffy (zeffy.com) serves a broad client base, including over 100,000 nonprofits, offering them a 100% free fundraising software solution. The platform supports various causes such as schools, sports teams, animal rescues, churches, food banks, volunteer fire departments, and arts & culture organizations. One notable client is Neighbors 4 Neighbors, a Miami-based nonprofit that saved $900 in fees by using Zeffy for their fundraising efforts.

Zeffy's operational model is sustained by optional contributions from donors, rather than charging fees to the nonprofits that use its services. This approach allows them to offer a wide array of tools for donations, ticketing, raffles, auctions, membership management, peer-to-peer campaigns, online stores, and in-person payments via their Tap to Pay app.

The company fosters a robust ecosystem through various technology integrations and partnerships.

Zeffy is partnered with Stripe, a leading global online transaction processor, enabling seamless payment processing and fund management for its users. For accounting and donor management, Zeffy offers direct integrations with QuickBooks and DonorPerfect, allowing nonprofits to automate financial entries and synchronize donor data.

Beyond direct integrations, Zeffy also supports broader connectivity through its public API, allowing developers or consultants to build custom integrations. Furthermore, Zeffy integrates with Zapier and WordPress, expanding its compatibility with a wide range of third-party applications and website platforms. These integrations facilitate efficient workflows, from creating sales receipts in QuickBooks from Zeffy payouts to connecting with various accounting, CRM, and email tools.

Events

Zeffy Event Participations

Zeffy (zeffy.com) actively participates in and supports various events, ranging from webinars and online workshops to conferences, often providing its 100% free fundraising software for organizers. For example, Zeffy hosted a webinar on "Maximizing your event fundraising with Zeffy" in June 2023, where participants learned about their ticketing features, event promotion, and in-person sales using their Tap-to-Pay app Webinar - Maximizing your event fundraising with Zeffy. | Zeffy.

Zeffy also facilitates ticket sales and donations for a diverse array of third-party events. They have been utilized for events such as "Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels: The Ambition of the Santa Marta Conference," a webinar hosted by The Group Of 78 Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels: The Ambition of the Santa Marta Conference. Other notable events include the "2026 Purpose Trust Ownership Conference" by the Purpose Trust Ownership Network 2026 Purpose Trust Ownership Conference, the "Founders Conference 2026" Founders Conference--2026, and the "Multi-District Conference 2026" by Districts 7910 & 7950 Collaboration Corp Multi-District Conference--2026.

Furthermore, Zeffy supports community-focused online gatherings, as seen with "Accessible Virtual Pride 2026" hosted by Calling Up Justice, which is an online event for disabled queer and trans people Accessible Virtual Pride 2026. They also facilitated registration for the "Seasons of Leadership Online Workshop - June 30, 2026," hosted by the Ayni Institute Seasons of Leadership Online Workshop - June 30,--2026. This demonstrates Zeffy's broad involvement in enabling various organizations to host and manage their events effectively.

In addition to these external events, Zeffy offers its own weekly demo for potential users to register and learn about their platform Register for our Weekly Demo | Zeffy. This highlights their commitment to educating and engaging their target audience, providing insights into how their event features can benefit non-profits, including customizable event campaigns, e-ticket generation, scanning, and attendance tracking An Overview of Zeffy's Event Feature | Zeffy Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zeffy's core value proposition and how does it differentiate itself in the fundraising software market?

Zeffy's core value proposition is its entirely free fundraising platform for nonprofit organizations, guaranteeing zero transaction fees, platform fees, or hidden charges. This model ensures nonprofits retain 100% of donations, contrasting with competitors that often charge percentages or fees. Zeffy instead relies on optional contributions from donors to cover its operational costs.

How does Zeffy's financial model support its 100% free offering for nonprofits?

Zeffy's financial model is sustained by optional contributions from donors, who are given the opportunity to tip Zeffy during the payment confirmation process. This strategy allows Zeffy to cover its operational expenses, including credit card and transaction fees, without charging nonprofits, ensuring they receive every dollar donated.

What strategic implications can be drawn from Zeffy's focus on hiring software engineers?

Zeffy's emphasis on hiring Staff Software Engineers and Senior Software Developers indicates a strategic focus on expanding and refining its technological capabilities and platform features. This aligns with its mission to provide an all-in-one, free fundraising experience for nonprofits, suggesting continued investment in product development to enhance its competitive edge.

What do Zeffy's recent event participations signal about its strategic direction?

Zeffy's active participation in and support of various webinars, workshops, and conferences, both as a host and facilitator, signals a strategic focus on market education, user engagement, and expanding its reach within the nonprofit sector. It demonstrates an effort to showcase its event features and solidify its position as a comprehensive fundraising solution provider.

How does Zeffy's integration strategy with partners like Stripe and QuickBooks benefit its nonprofit users?

Zeffy's integrations with Stripe for payment processing, and QuickBooks and DonorPerfect for accounting and donor management, benefit nonprofits by streamlining financial operations and data synchronization. These partnerships enable efficient workflows, automated financial entries, and comprehensive donor data management, allowing nonprofits to maximize their impact with less administrative burden.

What does Zeffy's growth in processed donations and supported organizations indicate about its market position?

Zeffy's processing of over $2 billion in funds for over 100,000 nonprofits, alongside 200% year-over-year growth, indicates a strong market position and successful penetration within the nonprofit fundraising sector. This growth suggests that its unique 100% free model resonates well with organizations seeking to maximize their fundraising efficiency.

How does Zeffy's product offering compare to its direct competitor, Givebutter?

Both Zeffy and Givebutter offer free fundraising tools, including donation forms, campaigns, and events, making them direct rivals. Zeffy emphasizes its completely free model with no transaction or platform fees, funded by optional donor contributions, whereas Givebutter operates on a freemium model with 0% fees for many services, but also includes built-in rewards and potentially more extensive multi-channel engagement features.

What is the strategic implication of Zeffy rebranding from Simplyk?

Zeffy's rebrand from Simplyk and its expansion into the United States indicate a strategic move to broaden its market reach and establish a more universally recognized brand. This suggests an ambition to scale its impact beyond its initial base and strengthen its position as a global technology provider for nonprofits.

How might Zeffy's leadership team's emphasis on 'impact' influence its strategic decisions and product development?

The leadership team's focus on 'impact,' as evidenced by CEO François de Kerret's commitment to the nonprofit sector and the emphasis on cultural fit in hiring, likely drives Zeffy's strategic decisions towards developing comprehensive, free fundraising solutions. This focus ensures product development aligns with the mission to empower nonprofits and maximize their fundraising effectiveness, rather than prioritizing revenue generation from fees.

What types of nonprofits does Zeffy primarily target, based on its client base and service offerings?

Zeffy primarily targets a broad spectrum of nonprofit organizations, including schools, sports teams, animal rescues, churches, food banks, volunteer fire departments, and arts & culture groups. Its comprehensive suite of free tools for donations, events, memberships, and online stores caters to the diverse fundraising needs of these community-focused organizations, particularly those aiming to minimize operational costs.

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