Understanding Processing Fees
When you donate online, a small processing fee is charged by the payment processor (Stripe). The fee amount depends on which payment method you choose.
Payment Method Fees
- Bank Transfer (ACH) — 0.8% of the donation, capped at $5.00. This is the most cost-effective option. A $250 donation costs just $2.00 in fees.
- Credit/Debit Card — 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. A $250 donation costs $7.55 in fees.
- Link (Stripe) — Same rate as credit card, but with faster checkout if you have a Link account.
Covering the Fee
When you check "Cover processing fees", the fee is added to your total charge so the full donation amount reaches the trip. For example:
- With fee covered (bank transfer): You pay $252.00, the trip receives $250.00
- Without fee covered: You pay $250.00, the trip receives ~$248.00 after the $2.00 fee
Why Bank Transfer?
Bank transfers (ACH) have significantly lower fees because they bypass the credit card networks. If you want to maximize your impact, choosing bank transfer means more of your money goes to the mission. The tradeoff is that bank transfers take 3-5 business days to process, while card payments are instant.
Is My Payment Secure?
All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a trusted payment platform used by millions of organizations. Your bank or card details are never stored on our servers.