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 for handling the credit card transaction. The industry standard is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, and registered nonprofits often qualify for a discounted rate.
On Givelayer, when a donor adds the optional tip that tip covers the processing fee as well as our platform fee, so the charity receives the whole donation. Without a tip, processing is passed through at cost.
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) | $0 | $50,000 |
| 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 receipts, branded donation pages, and global support. When a donor chooses to tip, that tip covers our platform fee and the card processing both, and your charity keeps 100% of the donation.
Givelayer Team
Writing about fundraising, donation technology, and the future of giving at Givelayer.
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