When a donor clicks “Give Now,” the last thing they expect is a math test. But on many donation platforms, that’s exactly what they get—tip jars, optional platform fees, confusing toggles, and vague language about where their money actually goes.

And while these tricks may help platforms recover costs, they can quietly erode the most valuable asset your organization has: donor trust.

The Psychological Cost of Confusion

Most people give emotionally, not logically. They’re acting on a spark of generosity—often inspired by your mission, a specific story, or a relationship with your organization. But every additional layer of friction or ambiguity can chip away at that impulse.

When a donor sees:

• A tip prompt with no explanation
• A request to “cover fees” that sounds vague or optional-but-important
• Multiple fee line items with no clear breakdown

They start wondering: How much of my gift actually reaches the organization? Is this platform taking a cut? Should I be paying extra for software I didn’t ask for?

That doubt doesn’t always stop the donation. But it does reduce the likelihood of giving again. And over time, it weakens the relational equity between you and your supporters.

Opacity Hurts Retention

Inconsistent or unclear fees don’t just frustrate donors—they lower lifetime value. Research shows that donors who don’t trust a platform or feel surprised by fees are significantly less likely to give again.

And once trust is lost, it’s incredibly hard to rebuild. Even small points of confusion—like why one donation form asks for a tip and another doesn’t—can leave people second-guessing whether their money is truly being stewarded well.

Clarity Builds Confidence

This is why Solafund was built around a core principle: every donor should know exactly where their money is going.

• We don’t include hidden tips or vague add-ons.
• We use one flat rate—4.4% total—and we explain exactly how it breaks down.

That clarity gives your organization confidence—and it gives your donors peace of mind.

When a supporter knows that their $50 gift goes straight to the mission, minus a clearly explained processing fee, they’re far more likely to give again. They have the option to cover the processing fees, but we’re super clear about it. More importantly, they’re more likely to tell others about your work without feeling like they’re passing someone through a system that takes a bite out of their gift.

Your Reputation Deserves Better

You’ve worked hard to build trust with your community. The last thing you want is for your donation platform to undo it with fuzzy math and user experience dark patterns.

Solafund protects your brand integrity by keeping things clean, clear, and consistent—so your donors stay focused on the mission, not the margin.

Want to See the Difference?

Read our full breakdown of how most platforms structure their pricing—and why it adds up to less for you and your supporters. You can find it right here.

Donors give when they believe. Don’t let confusion cloud that belief.