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Donation apps

  • 1.  Donation apps

    Posted 01-27-2025 05:33 AM

    I tried to search this topic but there was no search box when I went to that page. So - we currently use Square for our donation app and incur a lot of fees. What do other organizations use? I've read about Zeffy. Anyone use that? It seems legit…


    #FundraisingandDevelopment

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    Stacey Mach
    Grant Coordinator
    Sanilac County Humane Society
    MI
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  • 2.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 01-28-2025 02:33 AM

    Hi Stacey,

    We've used square and paypal for many years but just recently started using zeffy. We set up registration for our golf outing fundraiser and so far so good. They take a little longer than square to send the money but there aren't any fees. We plan to keep our paypal and square buttons for now.



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    Lisa Burn
    Co-founder/VP
    Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
    Myakka City, FL
    https://farmhousesanctuary.org
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  • 3.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 01-30-2025 11:45 AM

    I've poked around with a few different platforms, including Zeffy. The problem I have with Zeffy is that their cost is high. They pass the fee onto the donor but it's steep. I set it up and donated $25 to my organization and it cost me $29 dollars. That's a significant fee!

    Stripe credit card processing has a competitive rate for nonprofits, but their platform is lacking unless you have a developer to set up your website. It's really klunky to do recurring donations. I used to be a software engineer but I don't have time to build a robust website nor do I have a volunteer to do it.

    I then switched to IATS Payments because their platform accepts recurring payments more elegantly.  So I created a donate page where I had  links for credit card processing through IATS, pay pal, Venmo... you get the picture. 

    In the end, I had people inquiring about stock donations so I went in a completely different direction and started using every.org. One link takes the donor to your customized donation page on the every.org platform and they can donate using credit card, paypal, google pay, crypto, stocks, DAF, Venmo, or Gift Cards.

    They take a hefty fee, but it frees up my potential donors to have an easy platform and I just don't have the bandwidth to deal with all the options! 

    I hope this was helpful lol



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    Meg McAdam
    President
    Human and Pet Initiative
    CA
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  • 4.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 01-31-2025 04:16 AM

    Hey Meg!

    The donor is not required to pay a fee on the Zeffy platform (it's optional). All you do is click the drop-down and select other then type in $0. I don't like that it's confusing especially since the default amount is 17% but I also understand why they do it. I have worried that donors won't see that it's optional and won't participate in a fundraiser because they think the fee is required (and high) but we've been using the platform for the past year and love it and haven't heard any complaints from donors so I assume most have seen that the fee is optional. I'm attaching screenshots to show what I'm talking about. 



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    Michelle Reardon
    JEFFERSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
    OH
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  • 5.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 01-31-2025 04:34 AM

    I'm learning so much on this forum! 
    Thank you! 😊 



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    Kathy Johnson
    Volunteer
    Bruno Project Rescue, Inc.
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  • 6.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 01-31-2025 07:45 AM

    Thank you, Michelle! What happens if your donor opts out of paying a fee? 



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    Meg McAdam
    President
    Human and Pet Initiative
    CA
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  • 7.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 01-31-2025 08:06 AM
    You're welcome! They just proceed with the transaction. The non-profit is not charged a fee regardless of whether the donor chooses to opt out or not.

    Get Outlook for Android<https: aka.ms aab9ysg>





  • 8.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 06-18-2025 03:56 PM

    Hi @Michelle Reardon, I am looking into using Zeffy, and I see it uses Stripe.  Does Stripe not charge a fee, or maybe Zeffy covers it?  Thanks!



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    Anne Fessler
    Underhound Railroad
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  • 9.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 06-18-2025 04:41 PM

    Hello! I'm not sure what happens on the back end, just that the non profit gets 100% of the donation amount. It really is a great platform that we've been able to use for many different kinds of fundraisers. I've seen some groups even use it for adoption fee processing, spay/neuter appointments, etc.



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    Michelle Reardon
    JEFFERSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
    OH
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  • 10.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 06-19-2025 07:39 AM

    @Anne Fessler, Yes Zeffy uses stripe but zeffy must cover the fees if the donor doesn't. We have never been charged a fee. 



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    Lisa Burn
    Co-founder/VP
    Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
    Myakka City, FL
    https://farmhousesanctuary.org
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  • 11.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 06-19-2025 12:59 PM

    @Anne Fessler I use Zeffy.  Zeffy covers the Stripe fee.  They do ask if the donor would like to pitch in.  Either way, you really do receive 100% of the donation.  



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    Diana Kelley
    Executive Director
    https://HealingHorseTouch.com
    Kenneth, MN United States
    Discover Healing, Connection, and Renewal through Horses.
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  • 12.  RE: Donation apps

    Posted 06-19-2025 10:22 AM

    Our shelter has a venmo with QR codes posted throughout the building, and you can donate directly through our website although I'm not sure if there's a separate program that goes through or not. I know people will also donate at our customer service desk, pay extra when adopting, or will sometimes people will pay the adoption fee for the next person if they are surrendering their pet



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    Laurel Wilton
    Cat Welfare Supervisor
    Nebraska Humane Society
    NE
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