When we say Solafund charges 4.4% per donation, here’s what we don’t mean: we don’t mean 4.4% plus surprise platform fees, tip jars, monthly add-ons, or hidden “pro” tiers.

We mean exactly what we say. 4.4%. Period.

That number is flat, predictable, and includes everything. No upsells. No bait. No gotchas. If you’ve spent time trying to decode Givebutter’s tiered rates or iDonate’s multi-year contracts, you know how rare that kind of clarity is.

Let’s Break It Down

Here’s where your 4.4% goes on every donation processed through Solafund:

• 2.9% + 30¢ goes to Stripe. That’s the industry-standard rate to securely process credit/debit cards and ACH. Solafund doesn’t touch this. It’s the cost of running secure online transactions.
• 1.5% goes to Solafund. This funds the platform itself—your donation pages, form logic, automated receipts, admin dashboard, reporting, and support. It’s a fixed percentage no matter what tool you use.

That’s it. 2.9% + 30¢ to Stripe. 1.5% to us. Together, 4.4%—all in.

Why That Matters

Most platforms hide behind percentages that shift depending on how you collect donations. One company, for instance, promotes 1% fees—but that only applies to embedded forms. If you use a landing page (which most orgs do), it jumps to 3%. Host an event? It’s 5%.

And that’s before donor tips, feature unlocks, or CRM add-ons.

With Solafund, you don’t have to calculate which features cost more. You don’t have to choose between “the better experience” or “the cheaper fee.” Everything costs the same. You always know what you’re paying.

No Hidden Costs, No Upgrade Traps

We don’t believe basic features should be upsold like airline baggage. That means no added fees for:

• Recurring giving
• Embedded forms
• Landing pages
• Donor receipts
• Accessing your own donor data

We also don’t force donor tips or skim off them behind the scenes. If you want to include a “cover the fees” toggle, you can—but it’s your call, and your donors see exactly where their money goes.

And the Setup Fee?

Yes, Solafund has a one-time setup fee: $499. But we’re upfront about it, and we built it to be a no-brainer. We then credit it back to you on your processing. That means you effectively earn your setup fee back.

What About the Annual Fee?

Yes, Solafund has an annual platform fee—but here’s the difference: you can earn it back.

If your organization processes enough volume through the year, we credit the full amount back to you by waiving Solafund’s portion of the transaction fee until the value is fully returned. It’s not a “use it or lose it” subscription—it’s a performance-based structure that rewards growth and keeps your long-term costs fair.

Compare that to platforms like iDonate, which charge $1,500 per year—no matter what you raise, no matter how many donors you have. With Solafund, you’re not paying just to exist. You’re investing in a system that pays you back when you use it.

Use the Calculator—See the Difference

Want to see how this stacks up against the platforms charging 5%, 7%, or more? Use the fee calculator and plug in your real donation numbers. In many cases, Solafund beats the competition—even after the setup fee—by thousands per year.

Or if you’re new to all this, start with Why Solafund to see the bigger picture behind the platform. We’re not just trying to “save you money.” We’re giving you control, clarity, and a system you can actually explain to your board.

One Line You Can Say to Your Donors

Here’s how easy it is to explain Solafund to your supporters:

“Every donation is processed securely, with 4.4% total in fees—no surprises, no add-ons, and the rest goes directly to our mission.”

That kind of transparency builds trust. And trust builds long-term support.

Want Fewer Fees, Fewer Surprises, and Fewer Headaches?

Start here. That post breaks down how much most platforms really cost—and how we compare, head to head. The numbers speak for themselves.