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MonthFund vs. 99Pledges

MonthFund vs. 99Pledges:
Calendar model vs. a-thon model.

99Pledges is a solid platform for walk-a-thons, read-a-thons, and other pledge-based fundraisers. MonthFund is built for the 31-day pick-a-date calendar fundraiser. Different mechanics, different results. Here is how they compare.

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Two different models

MFCalendar Fundraiser Specialist

MonthFund charges a clear, disclosed infrastructure fee on each donation. Donors see exactly what they are paying and can cover it in one click. Your donors give to you, not to our software.

9A-Thon Platform with Donor Tips

MonthFund is free to launch. We use a transparent infrastructure fee that donors see and cover at checkout, so your cause keeps 100% of their intended gift. 99Pledges funds their platform through optional donor tips at checkout, plus a 3.49 percent processing fee. The a-thon model relies on participants collecting pledges per unit of activity. The calendar model gives each participant a specific day to own and fill with donors.

Why organizations choose MonthFund

Built for the calendar fundraiser. Nothing else.

Two different fundraising models

A-thons are activity-based: participants collect pledges per lap, per book, per mile. Calendar fundraisers are day-based: participants own a specific day and fill it with donors. Both work. The calendar model is more predictable because the math is fixed before the campaign starts.

Your cause keeps 100%. Donors cover the infrastructure.

MonthFund adds a transparent 3% infrastructure fee at checkout. Donors see it, understand where it goes, and cover it in one click. Because it is clear and honest, the vast majority choose to, meaning your organization receives the full intended gift. 99Pledges asks donors for a platform tip at checkout instead.

Predictable floor before you start

With the calendar model, you know the minimum outcome before you recruit a single participant. 25 participants, 31 days, $1 per day per donor: the math is visible. A-thon outcomes depend on activity levels that are harder to predict.

Participant ownership drives results

In the calendar model, each participant owns a specific day. That ownership creates accountability. Participants are not just collecting pledges. They are responsible for filling their day. This structure tends to produce higher per-participant results.

Feature Comparison

MonthFund vs. 99Pledges,
side by side.

Have a question about a specific feature? Contact us.

FeaturePurpose-builtMonthFundCompetitor99Pledges
Fundraiser Format
Pick-a-date / 31-day calendar fundraiser Yes No
A-thon / pledge-based fundraiser No Yes
Individual participant pages Yes Yes
Live progress tracking Yes Yes
Predictable pre-campaign math YesLimited
Pricing and Fees
Infrastructure fee3% (free), 1%, or 0%0%
Donor tip to platform at checkout99Pledges asks donors for optional tips✗ Never Yes
Processing fee2.9% + $0.303.49%
Subscription to lower fees✓ ($49 or $199/mo) No
Donors cover infrastructure fee (transparent, one click) Yes✗ (tip model only)
Participant Management
Email invitations Yes Yes
Participant dashboards Yes Yes
Automated participant reminders✓ (Professional+) Yes
Participant roster management Yes Yes
Bulk email to participants✓ (Professional+) Yes
Analytics and Reporting
Live progress dashboard Yes Yes
Full campaign report with filters✓ (Professional+)Basic
Accounting CSV export✓ (Professional+) Yes
Cross-campaign reporting✓ (Network) No
Per-participant analytics Yes Yes
Organization and Support
Admin accounts1 to unlimitedLimited
Multiple simultaneous campaigns✓ (Professional+) Yes
Custom onboarding session✓ (Network) No
Invoiced billing✓ (Network) No
Nonprofit-specific features YesSchools focus

Based on publicly available information as of 2025. Visit 99Pledges to verify their current features.

The Math

Know exactly what your org keeps.

On a fully funded $10,000 campaign on MonthFund's free Community tier, here is the breakdown when donors cover fees. About 60% do.

Full pricing breakdown

Example: $10,000 campaign

Total raised$10,000
Stripe processing (~2.9% + $0.30)-$320
MonthFund infrastructure fee (3%)-$300
Donors covering fees (avg 60%)+$180
Your organization keeps~$9,860

Questions

Common questions about switching.

Still deciding? Ask us directly.

An a-thon is activity-based. Participants collect pledges per unit of activity, like laps walked or books read. A calendar fundraiser is day-based. Each participant owns a specific day on a 31-day calendar and fills it with donors who give an amount equal to that day number. The calendar model is more predictable because the math is fixed before the campaign starts.

Yes. Some schools run a walk-a-thon in the fall and a calendar fundraiser in the spring. MonthFund handles the calendar model. 99Pledges handles a-thons. They serve different fundraising formats.

99Pledges charges 0% platform fees but asks donors for an optional tip at checkout, plus a 3.49 percent processing fee. MonthFund charges a transparent 3% infrastructure fee plus standard Stripe processing (2.9% + $0.30). Donors can cover the MonthFund fee in one click.

It depends on your community and how you run the campaign. The calendar model tends to produce more predictable results because the math is calculable upfront. A-thons can produce strong results when participants are highly motivated by the activity. Many organizations find the calendar model easier to repeat month after month.

No. MonthFund works for any group with a community: schools, PTAs, sports teams, faith communities, civic organizations, and nonprofits. 99Pledges is primarily designed for schools and youth organizations.

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