Zeffy
Zeffy is a Montreal-based technology company that we use for zero-fee fundraising. It's a platform designed specifically for nonprofits.
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How Zeffy Works
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No fees for nonprofits: Unlike Stripe, PayPal, or other processors that charge 2–3% per transaction, Zeffy absorbs those costs.
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Funded by voluntary tips: When donors or ticket buyers complete a transaction, Zeffy suggests a tip to help cover operational costs. This is entirely optional
Zeffy lets you adjust the "tip" or processing fee. That flexibility is part of what makes their model so donor-friendly.
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💸 What Does Zeffy Actually Pay?
Zeffy uses Stripe to process payments, and Stripe typically charges:
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Bank transfer (ACH): around 0.8%, capped at $5
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Credit/debit cards: usually 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
But here's the kicker: Zeffy covers these fees themselves, so your $55 ticket purchase costs them only about $0.44 if paid via ACH.
🧮 Quick Breakdown for a $55 Ticket
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ACH (bank transfer) ~0.8% = $0.44
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Credit card ~2.9% + $0.30 = $1.89
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So if you're paying by bank account, tipping $0.50 to $1.00 would more than cover their actual processing cost. Anything above that helps fund their platform development, support, and the fact that they’re giving nonprofits 100% of every donation or ticket sale.
🧠Why They Might Suggest 17%
That suggested tip isn’t based on the transaction cost—it’s Zeffy’s way of inviting donors to support their mission. Since they don’t charge nonprofits anything, they rely entirely on voluntary contributions to stay afloat.
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If you want to be generous but efficient, tipping $1 to $2 on a $55 ticket is a solid way to cover their costs and still support their work. Want help drafting a message to explain this to your guests or donors? I can help with that too.