Zeffy Really Is Free: No Fees. No Catch.

How can it be free?

We offer our technology services to nonprofits 100% free of charge so that donations are used solely to support your mission. In return, we give donors the option to make a voluntary contribution to Zeffy at checkout.

This is our only source of revenue. It allows us to cover all processing fees for every nonprofit on our platform—meaning you receive 100% of every payment, regardless of whether donors add a contribution.

How voluntary contributions work

Unlike other fundraising platforms, Zeffy covers all processing fees and charges no platform fee. Voluntary contributions from donors support:

• Credit card fees for each payment

• Platform maintenance (performance, speed, security)

• Feature development and ongoing improvements

• Operations for the nonprofits whose donors don't contribute

We mention the voluntary contribution twice on our forms—once when donors begin filling out the form, and again at the payment confirmation step. Donors also see explanations in their confirmation emails and donor dashboard.

Can I customize the contribution prompt?

The wording and suggested amounts in the contribution dropdown cannot be customized. The messaging has been carefully designed and tested to maximize donor understanding and platform sustainability.

The suggested percentage fluctuates based on the transaction amount—the larger the donation, the lower the percentage. This algorithm accounts for credit card processing fees and helps sustain Zeffy's free model.

If you'd like to provide additional context for your donors, you can add your own wording elsewhere on your form. For guidance, see How to talk to your donors about Zeffy.

What if donors don't contribute?

Your nonprofit will always receive 100% of donations, even if a donor chooses not to leave a contribution. Around 60% of donors choose to contribute, which is what allows us to keep Zeffy completely free for over 50,000 nonprofits.

In extremely rare cases, a nonprofit might raise very large amounts via credit card with little or no donor contributions. If this happens, Zeffy would personally reach out to explain the situation and work with you to find a solution—such as a temporary credit card payment limit while still allowing larger gifts by ACH or bank transfer. Our goal is to support you, not penalize you.