Fundraising platforms may charge a percentage of gifts, a fixed subscription, payment processing, donor-supported tips, add-ons or a negotiated combination. Marketing labels such as free or performance-based are incomplete until an organisation models its own gift mix and workflow.

Separate every cost layer

Record platform fee, processor fee, wallet or payment variation, subscription, implementation, migration, integrations, messaging, support, refunds, chargebacks and internal administration. Note which cost is paid by the organisation and which is presented to the donor.

Test four gift profiles

Calculate a small one-time gift, an average gift, a large gift and twelve monthly instalments. Repeat the model at current volume and two growth levels. Percentage pricing can scale rapidly; subscriptions can be inefficient at low volume; custom quotes can hide assumptions.

Treat donor tips as a design decision

Givebutter and Raisely can use donor-supported tipping models. Test the prominence, default and explanation of the tip with donors. Measure completion, confusion, complaints and net revenue. A fee shifted to the donor remains part of the experience.

Compare value and exit, not fee alone

Include conversion, failed-payment recovery, staff hours, data quality and systems replaced. Obtain all fees in writing and cap or define renewal changes where possible. Require a complete export and transition terms so a low introductory price does not create expensive lock-in.