The Hidden Costs of “Free” Fundraising Platforms

When You Fundraise, Every Dollar Should Go Where It Matters

You’ve taken the step to raise money for a friend, a project, or your community. You’re telling the story, spreading the word, and watching the donations roll in.

And then comes the question:
How much of it actually reaches the cause?

Too often, platforms that claim to be “free” quietly take more than you realize, through tipping prompts, confusing fee structures, or extra charges for tools you thought were included.

CausePilot was built to do things differently. With transparent fundraising platform fees, no tipping, and no hidden costs, what you raise is what your cause actually receives.

What You Actually Pay (And What You Actually Keep)

Let’s break it down with real numbers because transparency means knowing exactly what happens to your donors’ money. Assuming we get 100 donations of $30:

CausePilot (donors cover fees)

• Cause receives: $3,000
• Platform + processing fees (5% + 2.9% + $0.30 × 100):
  
  • Platform fee: $150
  • Processing fee: $87
  • Total additional paid by donors: $237
• Total donor spend: $3,237
• Extra paid beyond donation: $237
  

Now compare that to a tipping-based fundraising platform, where donors are prompted to tip 15-20% (or more) on top of their donation, and they often do, and the platform still takes a cut behind the scenes.

Tipping-Based Platforms (15% average tip)

• Cause receives: $3,000
• Processing fee (2.9% + $0.30 × 100): $87
• Tip (15% of $3,000): $450
  
• Total donor spend: $3,537
  
• Extra paid beyond donation: $537
  

The same $3000 goes to a cause, but donors pay $300 more on tipping-based platforms. That’s $300 that could have gone to your mission.

Where CausePilot’s Fees Go—And Why It’s Worth It

We believe that when you pay for something, you should know exactly what you’re getting. CausePilot’s fundraising platform fees are:

• ✅ Low 5% fee + standard processing fees (2.9% + 30¢), so you’re never surprised.
• ✅ Transparent. See it before you launch
• ✅ Flexible. You decide if donors or you cover it
• ❌ No tipping
• ❌ No extra charges for messaging, auctions, or event tools

One Platform. Everything You Need. Nothing You Don’t.

You get a full suite of online fundraising tools:

Landing page you can customize in minutes, Built-in ticketing, auctions, fund-a-need, paddle raise, and donations, Email and SMS tools to engage supporters, Easy-to-use management tools, Video tutorials and simple instructions, Real-time tracking to watch your fund grow

• Landing pages you can customize in minutes,
• Built-in ticketing, auctions, fund-a-need, paddle raise, and donations
• Email and SMS tools to engage supporters
• Easy-to-use management tools
• Video tutorials and simple instructions
• Real-time tracking to watch your fund grow

Whether you’re running fundraisers for individuals or managing campaigns for a lean nonprofit, you’re not paying for bloated features you’ll never touch. You’re getting exactly what you need to launch and grow your impact.

Designed for Real-Life Fundraisers

Not every campaign is run by a big nonprofit with a full-time staff. CausePilot is built for:

• Individuals fundraising for someone they love
  
• First-time organizers who need guidance, not friction
  
• Small teams that want everything in one login
  
• Resource-stretched nonprofits that value predictability
  

It’s why so many choose CausePilot when other platforms feel overwhelming, unclear, or bloated with add-ons.

What You’re Really Buying: Simplicity, Confidence, and More Impact

When your platform is transparent, you raise with confidence.

• You know what you’ll pay
• You know how your donors experience the process
• You know your time isn’t being wasted on tech chaos
• You know your supporters won’t be hit with awkward tipping prompts

Instead of worrying about what’s being deducted behind the scenes, you can focus on your story, your community, and the joy of giving.

Don’t Let “Free” Cost You More

It’s tempting to choose a platform that says it’s free. But when tips, upsells, and hidden deductions start stacking up, you could be leaving hundreds or even thousands on the table.

CausePilot gives you honest numbers.

And with the clarity that brings, you can raise more, keep more, and create a better experience for everyone involved.

Launch your fundraiser with CausePilot today.

Without tipping and surprises.