Websites using Onlinegiving

Okay, let s break down the world of online giving platforms, covering overviews, revenue models, alternatives, pricing structures, and customer care considerations.

I. Online Giving Platform Overview:

• What They Are: Online giving platforms are software solutions designed to facilitate donations to non-profit organizations, charities, churches, political campaigns, and other entities. They provide a user-friendly interface for donors to contribute money electronically, often incorporating features like recurring donations, crowdfunding, event registration, and donor management.

• Key Features:

  • Donation Pages: Customizable pages for accepting donations online.
  • Recurring Giving: Options for donors to set up automatic, recurring donations (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually).
  • Payment Processing: Securely handles credit card, debit card, ACH (bank transfer), and sometimes digital wallet (PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay) transactions.
  • Donor Management: Basic CRM (Customer Relationship Management) functionalities to track donor information, donation history, and communication.
  • Reporting & Analytics: Provide insights into donation trends, donor demographics, and campaign performance.
  • Mobile Optimization: Ensure the donation process works seamlessly on smartphones and tablets.
  • Branding/Customization: Allows organizations to brand the donation experience with their logo, colors, and messaging.
  • Fundraising Campaigns: Tools to create and manage fundraising campaigns, often with progress tracking and social sharing features.
  • Event Registration: Facilitates online registration and payment for events (galas, walks, runs, etc.).
  • Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Enables supporters to create their own fundraising pages on behalf of the organization.
  • Integration: Connects with other software systems, such as CRM platforms (Salesforce, Blackbaud), email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact), and accounting software (QuickBooks).

• Benefits for Organizations:

  • Increased Donations: Reaches a wider audience and makes it easier for people to donate.
  • Reduced Administrative Burden: Automates donation processing and record-keeping.
  • Improved Donor Engagement: Provides tools to communicate with and cultivate relationships with donors.
  • Better Data Insights: Provides data to understand donor behavior and optimize fundraising strategies.
  • Greater Transparency: Creates a transparent donation process that builds trust with donors.

II. Revenue Models of Online Giving Platforms:

• Transaction Fees: A percentage of each donation is charged as a fee. This is the most common revenue model. Fees typically range from 1% to 5% per transaction, plus a small fixed fee (e.g., $0.30).
• Subscription Fees (Monthly/Annual): Organizations pay a recurring fee to access the platform s features, regardless of the donation volume. This model is often used for platforms that offer more comprehensive features and donor management capabilities. Subscription fees can range from a few dollars a month to hundreds or even thousands depending on the features needed.
• Hybrid Models: A combination of transaction fees and subscription fees. For example, a lower subscription fee might be paired with a slightly higher transaction fee.
• Free Platforms (Limited Functionality): Some platforms offer a free version with limited features. They may rely on optional tips from donors or charge for premium add-ons. Be cautious of these, as they may have significant limitations.
• Custom Pricing: Some enterprise-level platforms offer custom pricing based on an organization s specific needs and volume.

III. Alternatives to Traditional Online Giving Platforms:

• Payment Processors (with donation features): Using a general-purpose payment processor like Stripe or PayPal and building your own donation form. This requires more technical expertise but can offer greater control and potentially lower fees (depending on volume and usage). You ll need to handle donor management and reporting separately.
• Crowdfunding Platforms: Platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, or Indiegogo can be used for specific fundraising projects, but they are not ideal for ongoing donations.
• Social Media Giving: Utilizing built-in donation features on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These can be good for quick campaigns, but generally lack the features and customization of dedicated giving platforms.
• DIY Solutions: Developing a completely custom donation system using in-house development resources. This is only feasible for very large organizations with significant technical expertise.
• Giving Days: Participating in regional or national Giving Days organized by community foundations or other organizations.
• Text-to-Give: Donating via SMS, often powered by a third-party platform. This can be a convenient option for donors, but fees may be higher.
• Cryptocurrency Donations: Accepting donations in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. This is a niche area but can appeal to certain demographics. Requires integration with a cryptocurrency payment processor.

IV. Pricing Considerations:

• Transaction Fees: Compare the percentage and fixed fee charged per transaction.
• Subscription Fees: Evaluate the monthly or annual cost based on the features offered and your organization s needs.
• Setup Fees: Some platforms charge a one-time setup fee.
• Hidden Fees: Be aware of potential hidden fees, such as chargeback fees, refund fees, or fees for exceeding usage limits.
• Payment Processing Fees: Consider the payment processor fees charged by the platform (e.g., fees from Stripe or PayPal). These are often passed on to the organization.
• Discounts: Ask about potential discounts for non-profits or for committing to a longer-term contract.
• Volume Discounts: Inquire about volume discounts if your organization processes a large number of donations.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Don t just focus on the lowest price. Consider the value of the features offered, the ease of use, and the level of customer support. A slightly more expensive platform with better features and support might be more cost-effective in the long run.

V. Customer Care Details:

• Support Channels: Look for platforms that offer multiple support channels, such as:
  • Email: A standard method for submitting support requests.
  • Phone: Direct access to support representatives.
  • Live Chat: Real-time support via online chat.
  • Knowledge Base/Help Center: A library of articles, FAQs, and tutorials.
  • Community Forum: A place to connect with other users and share tips.
• Support Hours: Determine if the support hours align with your organization s needs. 24/7 support is ideal, but may not be available for all platforms.
• Response Time: Inquire about the average response time for support requests.
• Level of Support: Assess the quality of the support provided. Are the support representatives knowledgeable and helpful?
• Onboarding and Training: Does the platform offer onboarding assistance and training resources to help you get started?
• Dedicated Account Manager: For larger organizations, a dedicated account manager can provide personalized support and guidance.
• Read Reviews: Check online reviews to see what other users have to say about the platform s customer support.
• Trial Period: Take advantage of any free trial periods to test out the platform and assess the quality of the support.

VI. Example Platforms (Illustrative):

• Givebutter: Popular for its ease of use, affordability, and integrated CRM. Often used for peer-to-peer fundraising and events.
• Donorbox: Another popular choice with a wide range of features and integrations. Known for its customizable donation forms and recurring giving options.
• Network for Good: A comprehensive platform with fundraising tools, donor management, and educational resources. Often used by smaller to mid-sized non-profits.
• Classy: A more enterprise-level platform with advanced fundraising features and customization options. Suitable for larger organizations with complex fundraising needs.
• Bloomerang: A donor management software with integrated online giving capabilities. Focuses on donor retention and engagement.
• Kindful (now part of Bloomerang): Similar to Bloomerang, focused on donor management.
• PayPal Giving Fund: A simple way to accept donations through PayPal, but it offers limited features and control.
• Stripe: A payment processor that can be used to build a custom donation system. Requires technical expertise.

VII. Important Considerations When Choosing a Platform:

• Your Organization s Size and Needs: Choose a platform that is appropriate for your organization s size, budget, and fundraising goals.
• Target Audience: Consider the demographics and preferences of your target audience.
• Ease of Use: Select a platform that is easy for both your staff and your donors to use.
• Security: Ensure the platform uses secure payment processing and protects donor data. Look for PCI DSS compliance.
• Integration: Choose a platform that integrates with your existing software systems.
• Scalability: Select a platform that can scale as your organization grows.
• Reporting and Analytics: Make sure the platform provides the data you need to track your fundraising performance.
• Mobile Friendliness: Ensure the donation process is optimized for mobile devices.
• Customization Options: Look for a platform that allows you to customize the donation experience to match your organization s branding.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose an online giving platform that meets your organization s needs and helps you achieve your fundraising goals. Good luck!