What it is
Fundraising platform fees are the charges an online fundraising platform may take in exchange for hosting your campaign page, processing gifts and moving money to you. Some platforms charge a percentage of each donation, some charge a subscription, and some combine the two.
Separate from the platform's own fee, card processing costs may also apply in some setups. Because every service structures this differently, it helps to read the terms closely and ask where each charge appears.
On 2A Support, the stated terms are simple: a 6% platform fee per donation, with payouts on the 15th for the prior calendar month. Plans are Free, Grow at $99 per month, and Done-for-you outreach at $1,500 per month.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Traditionally, groups raised money through mailed appeals, banquets, membership dues, club events and local drives. Costs were often spread across printing, postage, venue rental and volunteer time, so the true expense was not always easy to see.
As giving moved online, fees became more visible and more standardized. Many organizers now compare a platform's percentage fee, any monthly plan, payout timing and the tools included, such as sharing pages, updates and donor messages.
Rules around fundraising also vary. Charitable-solicitation registration, raffle and gaming rules, and legal-defense-fund rules differ from state to state, so organizers have long relied on checking local requirements and consulting a qualified professional.
How the right organizer may help
The right organizer may help you turn a confusing fee schedule into a simple picture of what a campaign could realistically keep. A first conversation is generally about your goal, your audience, and how you plan to share the campaign, such as a range safety course fund, a youth shooting sports team, or a civic education group.
Helpful questions to ask include: What is the platform fee per donation? When are payouts made? Which plan fits my size and time? Are there any other charges I should expect? What do I need to check in my state before I start?
An organizer may also help with campaign pages, supporter updates and outreach planning. They cannot promise results, and they are not a substitute for a lawyer, tax professional or accountant when you need that kind of guidance.
The bigger picture
Money questions can create stress, especially when a campaign supports something you care about. Knowing the fee and payout timing in advance may bring some peace of mind and make it easier to set a goal that feels honest to you and your supporters.
Take it one step at a time and give yourself room to ask questions. If the financial side of a hard season feels heavy, Providers.plus may be one place to look for support resources. No approach to fundraising is wrong; the best fit is the one that matches your capacity and comfort.
Keep in mind
- Fees are only one part of the picture; consider payout timing, support and the time you can give to the campaign.
- Donations are not automatically tax-deductible. Only gifts to IRS-registered charities may be, so check the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search and ask a tax professional.
- Charitable-solicitation registration, raffle and gaming rules, and legal-defense-fund rules vary by state, so check your state's rules and speak with a qualified professional.
- Fundraising on this platform is for civic education, safety, sport and community needs, and never for buying or selling firearms or ammunition.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Frequently asked questions
How do fundraising platform fees work?
Fundraising platform fees are charges taken for hosting a campaign and processing donations, often as a percentage of each gift, a subscription, or both. Terms differ by service, so read them closely. On 2A Support, the platform fee is 6% per donation.
What is the fee on this online fundraising platform?
The platform fee is 6% per donation. Plans are Free, Grow at $99 per month, and Done-for-you outreach at $1,500 per month. Ask which plan fits your campaign before you start.
When are fundraising payouts made?
Payouts are made on the 15th for the prior calendar month. This means you can plan around a regular schedule rather than waiting on individual donations.
Are donations to my campaign tax-deductible?
Not automatically. Only gifts to IRS-registered charities may be tax-deductible, and a campaign page does not make a gift deductible by itself. Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search and ask a tax professional.
Do I need to register before I fundraise?
It depends on your state and the type of fundraising. Charitable-solicitation registration, raffle and gaming rules, and legal-defense-fund rules vary by state. Check your state's rules and speak with a qualified professional.
Can an organizer lower my fundraising costs?
An organizer may help you understand fees, choose a fitting plan and plan outreach so your time is used well. They cannot guarantee savings or results. Ask them to walk through the costs in plain terms.
Educational resource. 2A Support shares general information and connects people with independent organizers. It is not professional advice. Talk with a qualified professional about your own situation.