What fees do fundraising platforms charge?
A platform fee pays for the fundraising service or software. Payment processing covers the handling of a payment and may be separate, included in the platform charge, or covered by a supporter. A headline rate is not enough to calculate what your organization will receive.
| Cost | How it may appear | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Platform or service fee | A percentage, fixed price or subscription | What is the fee applied to, and what support is included? |
| Donation processing fee | A percentage plus an amount per successful payment | Is it already included in the quoted service fee? Does the rate vary by payment method? |
| Optional donor tip | A separate contribution to the platform | Who receives it, and can a supporter change or remove it? |
| Donor-covered fees | An additional amount intended to offset costs | Is it optional, how is it calculated, and does it cover every charge? |
| Setup, subscription or messaging | A fixed charge, monthly plan or usage charge | Which features need payment, and when does the charge stop? |
| Refund, dispute or payout charges | Charges described in the provider’s payment terms | What happens when a payment is refunded or disputed, or money is transferred? |
| Campaign expenses | Prizes, supplies, venue, shipping or fulfillment | Which costs fall outside the software quote? |
Does a zero platform fee mean zero cost?
It depends on the provider’s full terms. Look for payment-processing charges, subscriptions and optional supporter contributions as well as the platform fee. An optional tip to a platform is different from money donated to your cause. Ask to see the actual supporter checkout and the organization’s payout breakdown.
Why donation count matters
A fixed amount per payment accumulates across many small donations. For example, a hypothetical $0.25 charge on each of 100 payments adds $25. That calculation is not a provider quote. Use your expected number of payments alongside the total raised when comparing donation processing fees.
Questions about Vertical Raise fees and Snap! Raise fees
People searching for fundraising fees often want to understand a specific quote. Provider terms can depend on the program and service level, so compare the campaign you are actually considering.
How much does Vertical Raise take?
Vertical Raise’s fee page says its fee varies with fundraiser type, service level and participant prizes; it does not give one flat fee for all fundraisers. Ask for the retained percentage and every additional cost in writing. A blanket statement that all Vertical Raise campaigns cost 20% would not reflect that published explanation. Read Vertical Raise’s fee explanation.
How much does Snap! Raise take?
Snap! Raise’s help-center page describes a percentage-based fee after a campaign closes and says participating organizations retain 80% of total dollars raised. Confirm the terms for your proposed campaign and whether processing, incentives or other charges are included before using a rate in a comparison. Read Snap! Raise’s cost explanation.
Provider descriptions checked November 13, 2026. The linked provider terms and your current written quote should guide the comparison. The calculator’s starting values are fictional examples, not these providers’ prices.
Ask for a quote you can reconcile
- Define the campaign. Identify direct donations, product sales, auction payments or tickets. Do not compare unlike programs as though their costs and support were identical.
- List every deduction. Separate platform charges, processing, fixed charges and other expenses. Check whether a percentage applies to gross payments or another base.
- Show the supporter experience. Review the total charged, fee-cover prompts and optional tips. Identify what reaches the cause and what goes to the provider.
- Confirm timing and adjustments. Ask when payouts arrive and how refunds, disputes or unfulfilled purchases affect the amount.
- Compare the work as well as the rate. A supported campaign may include services a self-service tool leaves to your committee. Estimate adult time, fulfillment and likely participation.
From fundraiser totals to the checkbook
Keep the campaign report, processor statement, invoices and bank deposits together. Match gross collections to deductions, then match the expected payout to the deposit. Record unpaid expenses separately so a bank balance is not mistaken for money available to spend. The calculator is a planning estimate, not a substitute for reconciling actual records.
A lower fee does not guarantee a better fundraiser
Two campaigns can raise different gross amounts and require different amounts of volunteer work. Review expected proceeds, service support, supporter experience and organizing effort together. The comparison tool holds the gross total constant to explain fee differences; it does not predict fundraising results.
Gatherlot’s transparent pricing direction
Gatherlot is being built with transparent transaction pricing. The actual transaction rates, payment-processing treatment and who pays each charge have not been finalized. Free accounts and planning tools are available now; donation processing, live auctions and shared volunteer reservations are still in development. We will publish prices before enabling payments.
Planning a team event? Compare fundraising ideas for sports teams, estimate concession proceeds or create a volunteer signup sheet without an account.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a platform fee and a processing fee?
A platform fee pays for fundraising software or services. A processing fee covers handling a payment. A quote may separate them or include processing in the service fee; check before adding both.
How do I calculate what our organization keeps?
Start with gross collections, subtract each applicable platform and processing charge, then subtract other campaign expenses. Use the actual fee bases and payment count. Optional tips to a provider are not proceeds for your cause.
Can I compare two providers with this fee calculator?
Yes, for a simple hypothetical comparison using your own quotes. Both percentage fees are applied to the gross amount you enter, and the fixed processing charge is applied to each entered payment. Different fee bases, payment methods or refund terms need separate review.
Do lower fees always mean higher fundraising proceeds?
No. Gross collections, organizer effort, included support and event costs also matter. This calculator compares charges at the same entered gross amount; it cannot predict how much a campaign will raise.
What does Gatherlot charge for fundraising?
The fundraising transaction rates are not finalized. Accounts and the planning tools on this site are free today; payment processing and live fundraising workflows are not available yet. Rates will be published before payments launch.
Read the video transcript
More for your cause. Every fee in plain sight. We’re building Gatherlot with transparent transaction pricing, so organizers know the costs before they commit. Fundraising and volunteering, made simple. Free accounts and planning tools are ready today. Sign up for free at Gatherlot dot com.
Reviewed November 13, 2026 · Gatherlot organizer guides