For charities looking to add a donation page to their WordPress website and use a third-party service to process payments, there are several excellent platforms to consider. Each offers unique features, integration options, and pricing structures. Below is a unified guide detailing six top solutions and their associated costs.
Here’s a breakdown of the fees, continue reading for more information
| Platform | Platform Fees | Transaction Fees | Additional Fees |
| PayPal Donations | None for charities, standard accounts: N/A | 1.99% + £0.45 (charities), 2.89% + £0.45 (standard) |
Currency conversion for international donations |
| GoFundMe Charity | None | 1.9% + £0.20 | None |
| JustGiving | 5% | 1.9% + £0.20 | Currency conversion for international donations |
| Stripe Payment Links | None | 1.4% + £0.20 (EU cards), 2.9% + £0.20 (non-EU) |
Currency conversion for international transactions |
| Fundraise Up | 3.50% | 2.9% + £0.30 (via processor) | None specified |
| Donorbox | 1.50% | Stripe: 1.4% + £0.20 (EU), 2.9% + £0.20 (non-EU); PayPal: 2.9% + £0.30 | None specified |
PayPal Donations
PayPal is a robust and widely recognized platform for managing donations.
Features:
- Offers donation buttons or embedded forms.
- Supports recurring donations.
- Provides detailed donor records and automated receipts.
WordPress Integration:
- Use the PayPal Donations plugin to easily add donation buttons to your website.
Third-Party Handling:
- PayPal processes all payments, ensuring security and compliance.
Fees:
Transaction Fees:
- Registered charities: 1.99% + £0.45 per transaction.
- Standard accounts: 2.89% + £0.45 per transaction.
Additional Fees:
- Currency conversion charges for international donations.
GoFundMe Charity
GoFundMe Charity is a popular platform for fundraising campaigns.
Features
- Personalised donation pages.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising options.
- Comprehensive analytics.
WordPress Integration:
- Add donation links or embed campaigns using widgets.
Third-Party Handling:
- Donations are processed on GoFundMe’s platform.
Fees:
- Platform Fees: None for charity fundraisers.
- Transaction Fees: 1.9% + £0.20 per donation.
JustGiving
A global platform for charitable fundraising.
Features:
- Branded donation pages.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising capabilities.
- Support for various payment methods.
WordPress Integration:
- Use widgets or links to redirect users to your JustGiving page.
Third-Party Handling:
- JustGiving manages payment processing and donor data.
Fees:
- Platform Fees: 5% per donation.
- Transaction Fees: 1.9% + £0.20 per transaction.
- Additional Fees: Currency conversion charges for international donations.
Stripe Payment Links
Stripe offers a flexible solution for creating customised payment links.
Features:
- Supports recurring and one-time donations.
- Accepts multiple currencies and payment methods.
- Provides detailed analytics and donor tracking.
WordPress Integration:
- Use the WP Simple Pay plugin to add Stripe payment forms.
Third-Party Handling:
- Stripe manages all payment processing.
Fees:
Transaction Fees:
- European cards: 1.4% + £0.20 per transaction.
- Non-European cards: 2.9% + £0.20.
Additional Fees:
- Currency conversion and international card fees may apply.
Fundraise Up
A modern fundraising platform optimised for nonprofits.
Features:
- AI-driven recommendations for donation forms.
- Recurring donation options.
- Supports Google Pay, Apple Pay, and other payment methods.
WordPress Integration:
- A dedicated plugin integrates Fundraise Up with WordPress.
Third-Party Handling:
- Fundraise Up processes donations securely.
Fees:
- Platform Fees: 3.5% per transaction.
- Transaction Fees: Typically 2.9% + £0.30, depending on the processor (e.g., Stripe or PayPal).
Donorbox
Donorbox is a simple and powerful platform for online donations.
Features:
- Recurring donations and multiple currencies.
- Customizable forms.
- Text-to-give and peer-to-peer fundraising.
WordPress Integration:
- Use the Donorbox plugin to embed donation forms.
Third-Party Handling:
- Donorbox securely manages payments.
Fees:
- Platform Fees: 1.5% per donation.
- Transaction Fees:
- Stripe: 1.4% + £0.20 for European cards; 2.9% + £0.20 for non-European cards.
- PayPal: 2.9% + £0.30 per transaction.
Key Considerations
Ease of Integration:
Most platforms provide plugins, widgets, or links for simple WordPress integration.
Fees:
Calculate the total fees by combining platform and transaction charges.
Customisation:
Choose a platform that allows branded donation pages to match your charity’s identity.
Donor Experience:
Ensure the solution offers a smooth and secure donation process to build trust with donors.
By carefully evaluating these platforms’ features and costs
You can select the one that best aligns with your charity’s goals and budget. If you need help setting up your donation page or integrating any of these solutions, feel free to ask!
