When a donor gives $100 to your charity, how much actually reaches your mission? The answer varies wildly depending on which platform you use.
The Three Types of Fees
1. Platform Fees
This is what the donation platform charges for using their service. It ranges from 0% to 5% depending on the provider.
- Givelayer: 0% with donor tip, 2% without
- CanadaHelps: 4% on one-time donations
- Givebutter: 0% with tip, 3% without
2. Payment Processing Fees
These go to the payment processor (usually Stripe) for handling the credit card transaction. The industry standard is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
3. Monthly/Setup Fees
Some platforms charge monthly subscriptions, especially for premium features:
- Givelayer: $0/month, always
- Donorbox: $0 to $399/month depending on plan
- Raisely: $0 to $119/month
Real-World Impact
On $50,000 in annual donations, here's what each platform costs:
| Platform | Total fees | Your charity keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Givelayer (with tips) | ~$1,480 | $48,520 |
| CanadaHelps | ~$2,000 | $48,000 |
| Donorbox (Pro) | ~$3,175 | $46,825 |
How to Minimize Fees
- Choose a platform with optional tipping, so donors can cover the cost
- Encourage recurring giving, which lowers per-transaction overhead
- Use direct bank transfers for large donations when possible
The Givelayer Approach
We believe charities and nonprofits shouldn't have to choose between features and fair pricing. That's why Givelayer offers automated tax receipts, branded donation pages, and global support, all at 0% platform fee when donors choose to tip.
Givelayer Team
Writing about fundraising, donation technology, and the future of giving at Givelayer.
More posts