Tip-Based Fundraising Platforms sound free. The checkout story is more complicated.
What supporters often see at checkout
Common suggested tip levels on fundraising checkouts
Resulting in massive lost sales
No vague fee games
Raffle-first explanation
Compliance-aware structure
Real human support
How Tip‑Based Fundraising Platforms Work
Supporter visits the checkout
A donor or ticket buyer reaches the checkout page on the fundraising platform.
Tip prompt is displayed
The platform shows a suggested tip — often pre‑selected at a specific percentage — inviting the supporter to contribute to the platform itself.
Supporter chooses their tip (or opts out)
The supporter can accept the suggested tip, adjust it, or remove it entirely before completing the transaction.
Nonprofit receives full amount; platform receives tip
The organization receives 100% of the ticket price or donation. The platform collects its revenue from the tip pool.
Tip‑Based Model
Zeffy
Zeffy promotes a “free” platform funded entirely through voluntary supporter tips during checkout. The organization pays no platform fee. Tips are the platform’s primary revenue source.
Tip‑Based Model
RallyUp
RallyUp uses a tip‑supported pricing structure where supporters may contribute an additional amount at checkout. Tip levels vary by campaign type and configuration.
For Context
What Makes This Different
Traditional SaaS fundraising platforms charge the nonprofit a monthly fee or percentage. Tip‑based platforms shift that cost to the supporters themselves whether they realize it or not.
Advantages & Considerations
Tip‑based platforms work well in certain situations. We think it’s worth being upfront about that and also sharing where they can create challenges, particularly for ticket‑based fundraisers like raffles.
- No upfront platform cost for the organization
- Quick and simple onboarding — useful for small or one-off campaigns
- Donors who feel a connection to the platform may voluntarily support it
- Works reasonably well for straightforward donation campaigns where price consistency matters less
- Reduces the financial barrier for organizations just getting started with online fundraising
- Tip prompts introduce unexpected friction during ticket checkout
- Pre-selected tips often increase the total price supporters see — sometimes significantly (17–29% is “normal”)
- Ticket buyers behave differently than donors; unexpected costs can lead to abandoned purchases (30–40% loss is typical)
- Variable checkout totals may raise compliance questions for regulated raffle fundraisers
- Organizations have less control over the total price their supporters experience
A Note on Raffle Compliance
Many states and jurisdictions regulate raffle fundraising and require that all entrants participate under the same pricing conditions. When supporters pay different totals at checkout because some accept a tip prompt and others don’t that variability can create compliance questions depending on the specific laws in your jurisdiction. This is one reason raffle-specific platforms often use pricing models that keep ticket pricing consistent for all participants. Raffle laws vary by location always consult legal counsel or local authorities before launching any raffle.
Typical Suggested Tip Percentages
Based on screenshots from several fundraising platforms, here are the pre‑selected suggested tip levels commonly shown during checkout. These suggestions are often selected by default meaning supporters who don’t notice them pay more than the ticket price alone.
What Supporters Pay at Checkout
One of the clearest ways to understand pricing model differences is to look at what supporters actually see when they buy a $20 raffle ticket. Even small checkout differences can influence behavior especially when supporters are buying multiple tickets.
22% TIP SUGGESTED
$20.00
+ $4.40
varies
$24.40+
✓ TRANSPARENT
$20.00
+ $2.40
included
$22.40
* This comparison uses illustrative figures. Actual tip percentages and service fees vary by platform and plan. Chance2Win also offers a Premium plan where the organization pays the platform fee directly and supporters see no additional checkout cost. View full pricing →
Predictable Pricing.
Happier Supporters. More Money Raised.
When ticket buyers know exactly what they’re paying before they start, they’re more likely to complete the purchase. That’s why we built Chance2Win’s pricing model around transparency not tips.
How Checkout Friction Affects Your Results
The following example illustrates how checkout friction in any form can impact the total raised in a ticket-based fundraiser. These figures are based on modeling checkout abandonment patterns observed in ticket purchase flows. Your actual results will vary based on your audience, ticket pricing, and campaign setup.
Chance2Win Premium
Organizer pays fee
$50,000
Chance2Win Zero Fee
Supporter pays 12%
$49,500
Tip-prompt platforms
High friction checkout
~$32,500
Tip‑Based vs. Predictable Pricing Platforms
| FEATURE | TIP-BASED PLATFORMS | CHANCE2WIN (PREDICTABLE PRICING) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform cost for your organization | Usually $0 — platform earns revenue from supporter tips | Zero Fee option — $0 to the org, transparent 12% service fee to supporters. Or choose our Premium plan where your org pays a flat rate. |
| Supporter checkout experience | Tip prompt shown during checkout — often pre-selected | Transparent, consistent checkout — supporters see the full price before they begin |
| Price consistency across supporters | Variable — some supporters pay tip, others don’t; totals differ | Consistent — every supporter sees the same pricing structure |
| Impact on ticket purchase completion | Unexpected tip prompts can introduce checkout friction and abandoned purchases | Simple, predictable pricing helps maximize completed ticket purchases |
| Raffle compliance considerations | May raise questions — variable checkout totals could be scrutinized in regulated jurisdictions | Designed for raffles — consistent pricing structure built with regulated raffle requirements in mind |
| Hybrid ticket sales (online + in-person) | Typically online-only; in-person entry handling varies by platform | Full hybrid support — online sales plus in-person cash/check entries in one unified system |
| Raffle-specific expertise | Most tip-based platforms serve broad nonprofit fundraising — not raffle-specific | Built specifically for raffles — Queen of Hearts, 50/50, basket raffles, ball drops, and more |
| Support | Varies by platform — typically email or chat | Real phone support from fundraising experts with nearly 20 years of raffle experience |
Chance2Win was built specifically for raffle fundraising, not generic donation checkouts pretending to fit every use case.
20 years of raffle experience
Chance2Win brings long running raffle knowledge into the product, the pricing model, and the way the team supports nonprofits.
Hybrid ticket sales
Online and in-person workflows matter in real raffles. The platform is designed for that operational reality, not just simple online forms.
Real phone support
Organizations can talk to an actual person in the U.S. when they need help, which still matters a lot in fundraising.
Raffle Mastery: The Complete Book to Running Profitable Nonprofit Raffles
Ticket pricing strategies that increase average order value- Bundle psychology — why the right packages outperform discounts
- Hybrid event playbooks for in-person + online sales
- Common compliance mistakes and how to avoid them
Ticket pricing strategies that increase average order value
