Some donation platforms advertise fees as low as 1%. That sounds great—until you realize the actual rate depends on how you collect the donation. Embed a form? 1%. Send donors to a campaign page? 3%. Host an event or sell tickets? Now it’s 5%. All that in addition to the processing fees of 2.9%. So now you could be paying nearly 8% in certain scenarios.

Suddenly that “low fee” isn’t so low. And you’re left wondering what the final cost will actually be. Spoiler: it’s usually higher than you think.

Tiered Pricing Creates Hidden Friction

Tiered models might seem flexible, but they introduce complexity that hurts small teams. Every new feature you want to use—whether it’s a giving campaign, event registration, or recurring donation flow—requires checking the fine print to figure out what it’s going to cost.

It gets worse when you’re trying to plan or explain your fundraising strategy. If a donor gives $100 through your main donation page, you might lose 1%. But if they give through a special campaign, that same donation could cost 3–5%.

Now imagine explaining that to your board or your finance team. Or worse—your donors.

One Rate, No Surprises

That’s why Solafund uses a single, flat rate for every donation, no matter where it comes from or how it’s collected. Whether your donor uses a recurring form, a one-time gift page, or a mobile device, the cost is the same: 4.4% total.

• 2.9% + 30¢ goes to Stripe to process the payment
• 1.5% goes to Solafund to power your donation platform

No need to guess. No need to compare page types. No need to worry whether a donation tool is going to quietly siphon more off the top.

We also don’t charge more for events, recurring gifts, or form upgrades. Every feature is available out of the box—no gates, no tiers, no upsells.

Consistency Isn’t Boring—It’s Empowering

A predictable, flat-rate structure gives you freedom. You can run campaigns, launch initiatives, or add donation buttons to any page on your site without double-checking the impact on your margins.

It also means your finance team can budget with confidence. Your board can approve plans without chasing exceptions. And your donors know where their money is going—because you do too.

Transparency You Can Actually Track

If you’re tired of unclear pricing, feature-based upcharges, or donation fees that fluctuate based on usage, it’s time for something simpler.

Check out the pricing comparison table to see how Solafund stacks up. You’ll see the difference quickly: one number, one structure, full clarity.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to donation fees, consistency beats complexity. Your mission shouldn’t be subject to a fee structure that changes every time you run a new initiative. If your platform makes you think twice before trying something new, it’s probably costing more than you realize.

Simple wins. Predictability matters. And your donors deserve a system that puts clarity first.