Sometimes we wish getting cash would be as easy as Googling “give me money” and receiving what we need.
But is giving away free money real?
Yes, it is!
What you may not realize is that it’s actually possible to get money from strangers on the internet. You just have to know where to look!
Sure, there are a lot of charities and wealthy people that give away money. You can also get free money from the government but many of these programs have eligibility criteria that not everyone in need of cash qualifies for.
Join InboxDollars for free. InboxDollars pays you to watch videos, search, shop, take surveys, and more. They have paid out $57 Million so far!
But thanks to the internet, now we have things like crowdfunding (some call it “cyber-panhandling“) sites where you can raise money for practically any purpose.
How to Get Free Money Online
If you read MoneyPantry regularly (and I hope you do), you know we cover a lot of ways to make free money on the internet. From using survey and rewards sites to using these free money apps. But in this post, we will be covering the various types of sites you can use to get money, such as crowd-funding, streaming, and more.
Crowdfunding Sites to Raise Money
You might be wondering, what is crowdfunding?
It is a type of fundraising done online in which one tries to generate small donations from strangers. In 2015 over $34 billion was raised worldwide by crowdfunding, according to the University of Cambridge.
The following sites are used by people and organizations to do crowdfunding.
1. Fundable
This site is used for people trying to generate money to start a business. If you have a business idea and are serious about getting it started, then take your idea here and ask for help.
They have gotten $571 million in funding for their users.
2. Ulule
This one is meant more for people who have an idea they think other people will enjoy. This could be something like a product, a book, a music album, art, or any number of things.
If you get enough people into your idea and they fund it, then you can use the money to create the product for them any other buyers in the future.
3. Patreon
This is a unique type of crowd-funding site because it works off on monthly payments.
Basically, you set up a page for your business, hobby, or so on. Then you offer reward tiers at different prices and then every month you give them a reward!
Here are some examples of other Patreon pages to give you a good idea of what to expect.
4. Crowdrise
Are you trying to raise money for charity? Then this site might work for you. It’s designed specifically for non-profits.
You can organize charity events like:
- Dinners
- Concerts
- Outings
- Marathons
The site is designed to help organizations get their fundraiser on social media right away and reach people in the most optimal way possible using popular social media techniques.
5. GoFundMe
This is actually the site that owns the formerly mentioned Crowdrise. GoFundMe is a crowdfunding site meant for anyone to use.
Join Opinion Outpost. It is a fun panel with a lot of interesting surveys. And it rewards you well!
You can raise money for anything you need. Best of all, there’s a 0% platform fee so you don’t have to worry about them taking a cut of your money.
6. Fundly
Fundly is a fast and easy site to use for raising money. It has no raise requirements or start-up fees.
You can raise money for individual needs or non-profit charities. Many popular fundraisers have gotten over 2 thousand dollars!
7. Kickstarter
Most people have heard of Kickstarter before. It’s a site that lets people fund your business or product development.
People have used to to get things funded like:
- Board games
- Video games
- Music albums
- Books
- Kid’s toys
- And much more
It’s almost important to note that you only get the money if you manage to get your project fully funded. Otherwise, you will receive nothing.
8. Indiegogo
This is a very similar site to Kickstarter, with one key difference. Kickstarter releases funds only after the campaign reaches its funding goal while Indiegogo will let you choose to receive funding as it comes in.
So, if you need the money to get started right away on whatever project you want to be funded, this might be the site for you.
9. Fund My Travel
Maybe you need to get somewhere for an emergency situation or maybe you just want to travel for fun. It doesn’t matter on this travel-funding site. You make the campaign, convince people why they should help you, and then start raising money!
10. Plumfund
You can fund almost any type of project on this site.
They will let you raise money for:
- Baby showers
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Graduation
- Travel
- Funerals
- Sport events
- Medical emergencies
- Animals and pets
- Community fundraisers
- Retirement
- Weddings
- And anything else you can think of!
The company also states that it believes no one should pay a fee to give and receive online, so they offer their service 100% free of charge for people to use.
11. Fundrazr
This site as over 150 thousand campaigns to raise money. In its history, people have raised over one-hundred forty million dollars for people. Best of all, fundraisers pay a 0% platform fee.
The site is usable for non-profits, businesses, and individuals. It should be noted, however, that you can get a premium account which is usually used by people who need to do multiple fundraisers.
Get Donations by Streaming
Crowd-funding isn’t the only way to get money from strangers on the internet. One of the most popular ways right now is through streaming.
Here are some sites you can check out to get started.
12. Twitch
This is a site owned by Amazon that lets you stream video games and vlogs to people on the internet. While you provide entertainment, people can subscribe to you with money or donate cash to you. This is a great site to use if you are a video gamer with the ability to be charismatic and entertaining.
Check out this article to see how much streamers can make. Some people have made literally millions of dollars a year!
We also have a guide on how to make money streaming video game son Twitch.
13. Mixer
Mixer is another streaming site. This one is owned by Microsoft. It’s relatively new but several streamers have been moving to this platform because of the technical services it has to offer. One of the top streamers in the world, Shroud, recently moved onto the site.
It’s pretty much exclusively used for video games but people also stream their own music or web shows on there too.
14. Facebook Gaming
You already use Facebook for catching up with friends and socializing, so why not earn some money there too?
Facebook gaming is a relatively new platform that’s been becoming pretty popular. Thousands of people are known to jump into streams and subscribe to people.
15. Youtube Live
One of the most popular video platforms now has a live stream section. You can live stream vlogs and games to people who use the platform and make money.
If your account is big enough, people can become special supporters to the site with a membership. During your live streams, people can pay to “super chat” you.
As Strangers for Cash on Reddit
There are a few subreddits out there that are dedicated to helping people out. Read the rules carefully before posting and remember to return the kindness when you can.
16. Random Kindness
This subreddit is for people who want to commit random, nice acts to help fellow people out there. Post here for the chance of someone giving you money or a special gift that you request.
17. Assistance
This is a very helpful subreddit that lets users from around the world give you assistance when you need it most.
According to their description, you can:
- give money or gifts
- request money or gifts
- share with others
- give or receive advice
- get or send cards
Similar Subreddits
These aren’t technically free money, but you are basically getting someone to buy you something you wanted, which is pretty close! I wanted to mention these because they can still definitely help people in need if are looking for something specific.
18. Random Acts of Amazon
This is a similar idea to Random Kindness. People here post their public Amazon wishlists and then other users can buy them something if they want.
19. Random Acts of Gaming
This isn’t technically money but it’s still worth mentioning. If you are a video gamer, save your money and try checking out this subreddit to see if you can get a game for free.
20. Random Acts of Pizza
Free food? Sounds like a great deal. Simply post on this subreddit for a user to order you a pizza.
Other Sites to Get Free Money for Anything
These are some miscellaneous sites that don’t fit into the category above but can still get you money. On these sites, you’ll find good-hearted people who aren’t even rich as well as wealthy people willing to help those in need.
Whether you want free money for college, to pay off debt, cover an unexpected hospital bill or any other personal reason, give these sites a try.
21. Cyberbeg
There has been over 128 thousand dollars donated to members as of October 29, 2019 on this site. All you have to do is post your situation on the forum and hope someone helps.
22. Begging Money
This site has been around since 2009. It’s basically an online forum where you post your situation, link to your Paypal, and then let people donate if they decide. Just make sure you create your PayPal.me link at www.paypal.me as it will protect your email address from scammers.
23. Ko-fi
Let’s say you are interested in building an online audience for doing something like writing, making art, youtube videos, or something else. A Ko-fi is a cheap way for people to help you out and put some spending cash in your pocket. They can make as many $3 donations as they want to you.
24. JustGiving
This is another site where you can raise money for charity or personal use. You can even set up fundraising for a special event like a birthday, wedding or final exam by asking friends for donations rather than gifts.
25. GoGetFunding
Asking for money on this site is as easy as creating a page, sharing the page with everyone online then accepting donations instantly with credit/debit cards and PayPal.
26. FreeBeg
This is basically a forum where people post about their issues and why they need money hoping others will help. You don’t have to give the money back.
27. 2hands
According to the site, “2 Hands started with simple questions from children; ‘Where do people who need help go?’ ” It’s a site where people who are in a bad financial situation and are desperate to make money can ask 2Hands Helpers for help. Over 40,000 people have been helped financially on this site so far.
Online Panhandling / Crowd Funding Done Correctly
Ok, let’s talk in general about some general guidelines for doing this sort of thing.
There are a lot of reasons that people are afraid to ask for others’ help in paying their bills and costs of living.
Part of it is a culture that emphasizes self-sufficiency, and part of it is the notion that seeking charity is shameful and reflects poorly on oneself.
For some, it is the simple idea that they would fail if they sought charity. Others still might think that gaining others’ charity is simple as long as you have the right approach.
The truth is that the charity of strangers is not so predictable.
Lots and lots of factors come into play when people are considering a charitable act, but more than anything else, it’s just about context.
Was it presented in a way that compelled them? Did you make them want to trust you?
These questions are more important than how good or bad your cause is, or how much you legitimately need the money.
Sadly, your level of need is irrelevant to the potential donors.
It only matters how your cause made them feel.
- Give your campaign a face
If you want people to have the maximum impact from your cause, you’re going to want a good “face” for your campaign. It needs to be stated simply– you need a kid, or an attractive friend, or someone who is emotionally impactful to look at. The reality is a little unfortunate, but you need to advertise your cause just like anything else. Which means a trustworthy face is a must. It can be you, of course, but if you have anyone in your life who makes a perfect face for a cause, seize that opportunity. It’s going to affect your bottom line.
- Extend your reach by using a simple to understand language
When you are writing for your cause/campaign, use easy, friendly language. Don’t scare away your potential donors by “talking over them.” Preferably, your language will be simple enough that people in other countries will still be able to get the gist of what you’re saying. You want the absolute widest audience you can get here, so details like the language you use are going to be incredibly important. No slang, no cliches, and absolutely (absolutely!) no foul language. A brief glance at any fundraising site shows that campaigns that use expletives almost universally fail.
Beware of Scams
Unfortunately, there are scammers who always try to take advantage of the situation. Scammers are pretending to be on both sides – needing the money and giving money.
So please be careful. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If somebody is offering to help but asks you to wire them money through Western Union or some other way, it likely is a scam. Be sure to read our post on money scams. It lists all the major scams and how to spot them.
Also, please don’t ask people on Craigslist for money. Your chances of encountering a scammer are much higher. Instead, go through crowdfunding sites that have the correct security measures in place to protect both the people asking and the people giving away money.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve shown you the sites, you just need to start joining them and raising money!
Do you have any tips or tricks for getting money from strangers online? Let us and our readers know in the comments below.
I have many invention to be patent that I would love to use to build a Manufacturing Company here in the North West of Arizona to use to put people to work.
But the Cost of getting the patent with the Legal fees make my dreams just what they are Dreams.
I am just now getting on my feet from a injury and trying to come up with $600 Dollars to buy a used small truck to use in a weekend Flea market booth has been a slippery slope going no where.
But wouldn’t it be fun to have a business to hire skilled experience people and then hire people with no experience and produce a line of products from people from all around this country with high quality and American know how?
Not automatic machine run and operated by Computers but men and Women, I would love that and I would love seeing that .
I have everything but the financial ability to achieve this and I just though I would throw it out there to see what would come of it.
I have several invention of unbelievable use and very durable, I can sale then but I want them to be made in the USA with American hands not Computer.
some of these are so Green Friendly and would be sold back ordered for 20 years but I would rather let them go to my grave with me than to have them stolen from this country to be made over seas.
I want some one to see one of them being used and say I built that, my mother help build that, my brother my day my son, my sister built that, is that bad to want that?
Not much to ask for to give so many a career,.
I just got tired of electronic answering service machines and those who were paid to assist wanting me to do all the work which was their job they were being paid to do.
If I could do what they were paid to do I would have never called them to start with.
does this make any sense to you?
Travis, have you tried setting up a GoFundMe campaign or maybe one of those startup funding sites?
Do not know how to set this up? Would that get the need flowing to me? Vicky
Vicky, most of these sites have guide on how to set the campaigns up.
wish there some way I could gather donations without they are going to my bank account, and instead for instance go through western union. sincerely linny.
These are great, thank you. Some of the links are broken though.
Thanks to you, I managed to set up a GoFundMe.
I am glad this post has been helpful to you, Scout.
Just ran across this article; thanks for such helpful information and giving pointers on how, and where to start. Thanks again!