Choosing the best credit card processing for nonprofits can make a significant impact on fundraising efforts and donor satisfaction. This involves balancing cost-effectiveness, user-friendly features, and specialized tools tailored to the unique needs of nonprofits.
In this guide, we looked at the best nonprofit payment processing solutions and evaluated them based on pricing, features, support and reliability, user experience, and user reviews.
Based on our evaluation, here are the best nonprofit credit card processors for 2024:
Software Spotlight: PaymentCloud
Flexible payment processing for any business- 98% of applications are approved for a merchant account
- Wide range of payment options – including no-cost (surcharging)
- Month-to-month contract
- No setup, application, or annual fees
Visit PaymentCloud
Best nonprofit payment processing providers compared
Providers
Our Score (out of 5)
Monthly Fee Starts At
Nonprofit Processing Rate
Deposit Speed
Helcim
4.32
$0
- Interchange + 8% for online transactions
- Interchange + 18% for in-person transactions
- Visa and Mastercard Charity Interchange Rates apply for MCC 83981
1-2 business days
Givebutter
4.30
$0
- 2.9% + $0.30 for cards and digital wallets (donors have the option to cover this fee if Add tips is enabled)
- 1.9% + $0.30 for ACH payments
- Additional platform fee if tips are disabled: 1%-5%
3-5 business days
Stripe
4.29
$0
- 2.2% + $0.30 for businesses with 501(c)(3) status
Same-day to 2 business days
PayPal
4.29
$0
- 1.99% + $0.49 for businesses with 501(c)(3) status
Same-day to 2 business days
Square
4.22
$0
- 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person transactions
- 2.9% + $0.30 for online transactions
- 3.5% + $0.15 for keyed-in transactions
Same-day to 2 business days
iATS
4.12
Not disclosed
- 2.49% to 3.2%
1-2 business days
Donorbox
3.99
$0
- 2.2% + $0.30 (Stripe)
- 1.99% + $0.49 (PayPal)
- Platform fee: 1.75%-2.95%
1-3 business days
1MCC 8398 is Merchant Category Code 8398, which card networks assign to charitable or social services organizations.
Helcim: Best for transparent low-cost processing
Overall Score
4.32/5
Pricing
4.75/5
Features
4.22/5
Support and reliability
3.75/5
User experience
4.69/5
User scores
4.2/5
Pros
- Discounted interchange rates for qualified charities
- Automatic volume discount
- Option for donors to cover processing fee
Cons
- No nonprofit platform discount
- Limited integrations
- No dedicated fundraising tools
Why Helcim is good for nonprofits
With zero monthly fees and interchange-plus pricing, Helcim stands out as one of the best payment processors for nonprofits. This pricing model ensures that nonprofit organizations benefit from lower Visa and Mastercard interchange fees if they qualify for the Merchant Category Code (MCC) 8398, designated for Charitable and Social Services Organizations. This can result in significant savings on transaction costs. However, regular interchange rates will apply to organizations not classified under MCC 8398.
Helcim offers automatic volume discounts, further reducing costs for high-volume transactions. Its adaptable tools, like the CRM system for managing donor information, surcharging to pass processing fees onto donors, and subscription management for recurring donations, are valuable for nonprofits. Despite lacking specific nonprofit discounts and dedicated fundraising tools, Helcim’s cost-effective and versatile features make it a top choice for nonprofits.
Payment methods
- Credit and debit cards
- ACH payments
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay and Google Pay)
Ways to accept donations
- Online donations: Easily add a “Donate” button to your website or create a single payment page for accepting donations and payments.
- In-person: Accept donations using Helcim’s virtual terminal or card readers for face-to-face transactions.
- Over the phone or email: Securely process donations via phone or email through Helcim’s virtual terminal.
- Recurring donations: Manage and facilitate recurring donations seamlessly with Helcim’s subscription management feature.
Key features
- No monthly fees: Helcim does not have setup, monthly, and cancellation fees, making it a budget-friendly option for nonprofits.
- Interchange plus pricing: Transparent pricing structure allows nonprofits to avail of the lower network interchange fees for qualified nonprofits.
- Automatic volume discounts: Nonprofits can enjoy additional savings as donation volumes increase.
- Surcharging option: Option to pass processing fees onto donors.
- CRM system: Efficiently manage donor information and relationships with Helcim’s integrated CRM system, enhancing engagement and retention.
- Subscription management: Facilitate and manage recurring donations seamlessly, ensuring steady support for nonprofit activities.
- Security and compliance: PCI-DSS compliance and advanced security features protect donor data, ensuring trust and reliability in donation processing.
- Discounted Visa and Mastercard interchange fees for businesses with merchant category code 8398 (Charitable or Social Services Organizations):
- Visa Canada 0.98% to 2.00%
- MC Canada 0.92% to 1.80%
- Visa US 0.65% + $0.15 to 1.35% + $0.05
- MC US 1.45% + $0.15 to 2.00% + $0.10
| Monthly Transaction Volume | Online and Keyed-In Transaction Rates | In-Person Transaction Rates |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$50,000 | + 0.50% + $0.25 | + 0.40% + $0.08 |
| $50,001–$100,000 | + 0.45% + $0.25 | + 0.35% + $0.08 |
| $100,001–$500,000 | + 0.35% + $0.25 | + 0.25% + $0.08 |
| $500,001–$1,000,000 | + 0.25% + $0.25 | + 0.20% + $0.08 |
| $1,000,001 up | + 0.15% + $0.25 | + 0.15% + $0.08 |
- Hardware: $99–$329
Givebutter: Best for free nonprofit platform
Overall Score
4.3/5
Pricing
4/5
Features
4.22/5
Support and reliability
4.06/5
User experience
4.38/5
User scores
4.83/5
Pros
- Multiple fundraising tools
- Free donor management system for tracking and engagement
- Zero platform fees if tips are enabled
Cons
- Dependence on donor tips
- Limited in-person fundraising tools
- Additional platform fee if tips are disabled
Why Givebutter is good for nonprofits
Nonprofits looking for a cost-effective platform dedicated to them will find Givebutter suitable and easy to use. Aside from using Helcim’s surcharging tool, this is the only provider on the list that offers the potential of zero platform fees with full nonprofit functionalities. Its extensive fundraising tools include donation forms, auctions, events, and other campaign types.
Additionally, the built-in CRM system helps manage donor relationships efficiently and integrations with over 1,000 third-party apps enhance functionality. It also has real-time engagement tools like personalized emails and video messaging that boost donor interaction and support. Overall, Givebutter’s user-friendly and feature-rich platform makes it an excellent choice for nonprofits.
Payment methods
- Credit and debit cards
- ACH payments
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal)
- Donor-advised fund (DAF)
Ways to accept donations
- Fundraising pages: Create your own fundraising pages with stories, photos, and videos to connect with donors and keep track of progress in real time.
- Donation forms: Embed customizable donation forms on your website to make donating easy and gather important donor details.
- Mobile app: Take donations on-the-go using the Givebutter mobile app, which supports Tap to Pay, so you can accept in-person payments even without a card reader.
- Auctions: Host online auctions effortlessly with Givebutter’s tools, allowing supporters to bid on items from any device.
- Events: Plan and organize fundraising events, sell tickets, and collect donations with Givebutter’s event management tools.
- DAF donate button: Add a DAF donate button to your site, allowing donors to give directly from their donor-advised funds.
Key features
- Built-in CRM: Manage donor relationships effectively with donor segmentation, contact management, donation tracking, and detailed reporting to optimize fundraising strategies.
- Marketing and engagement tools: Engage donors with branded emails, text messages, and letters tailored to specific donor segments. Utilize built-in design tools from Canva, facilitate social sharing, and automate reminders and receipts to enhance donor communication and retention.
- Integrations: Seamlessly connect with over 1,000 third-party applications through native integrations and Zapier automations. Utilize the API for custom integrations, ensuring flexibility and scalability in fundraising operations.
- Fundraising widgets: Enhance fundraising campaigns with dynamic widgets like fundraising thermometers, progress bars, team pages, and ticket sales functionalities, empowering supporters to track and contribute to campaign goals effectively.
- Donation matching: Maximize fundraising impact with donation matching capabilities, encouraging corporate and individual donors to double their contributions effectively.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising: Empower supporters to fundraise on your behalf with peer-to-peer fundraising tools, enabling them to create personalized campaigns and mobilize their networks to support your cause.
- Option to require fees: Have the option to require your donors to cover the processing fees.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Processing fee
- 2.9% + $0.30 for cards and digital wallets (may be covered by donor via tips)
- 1.9% + $0.30 for ACH payments
- Additional platform fee
- When tips are disabled
- Form: 1%
- Page: 3%
- Event: 5%
- Auction: 5%
- When tips are enabled: $0
- When tips are disabled
Stripe: Best for technical flexibility and customization
Overall Score
4.29/5
Pricing
4.5/5
Features
3.75/5
Support and reliability
4.38/5
User experience
4.38/5
User scores
4.47/5
Pros
- Discounted processing rate for nonprofits
- Robust developer tools and API
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- No dedicated fundraising tools
- Requires 80% of donations to be processed on Stripe
- Nonprofit rate only applies to 501(c)(3) businesses
Why Stripe is good for nonprofits
Stripe is an excellent choice for nonprofits due to its discounted processing rate for 501(c)(3) organizations, which helps minimize costs, especially with its zero monthly fee. Its robust developer tools and API allow nonprofits to customize their payment solutions and integrate them seamlessly with their existing systems.
The platform also offers 24/7 customer support, ensuring that any issues can be resolved promptly. Although it lacks dedicated fundraising tools, Stripe’s flexibility and powerful features make it a strong option for tech-savvy nonprofits seeking a tailored payment processing solution.
Payment methods
- Credit and debit cards
- ACH payments
- Digital wallets (Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, Cash App Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal)
Ways to accept donations
- Embedded payment pages: Create your payment form or checkout page that you can embed on your website or on a website hosted by Stripe and accessible by your donors through a payment link.
- Invoices: You may use Stripe’s invoicing tool to send an invoice to collect donations.
- Recurring donations: Set up recurring donations with the use of Stripe’s recurring billing tool.
- In-person payments: Using Stripe Terminal API, you may accept in-person donations using a card reader or a mobile phone compatible with Stripe’s Tap to Pay feature.
Key features
- No monthly fees: Stripe has no setup or monthly fees, so you only pay for what you use.
- Flat-rate pricing: Enjoy transparent flat-rate pricing, with special discounts for 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
- Easy integrations: Connect Stripe seamlessly with various platforms, making donations a breeze.
- Developer-friendly tools and powerful APIs: Customize your payment solutions with Stripe’s top-notch developer tools and APIs.
- Fraud protection tools: Transactions and your donors’ information are kept safe with Stripe’s advanced fraud detection and prevention features.
- 24/7 customer support: Get help whenever you need it with Stripe’s round-the-clock support.
- International reach: Nonprofits outside of the U.S. may also use Stripe for their payment processing needs.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Processing rate: 2.2% + $0.30
- Hardware: $0 to $249
PayPal: Best for global reach and donor familiarity
Overall Score
4.29/5
Pricing
4.5/5
Features
4.22/5
Support and reliability
3.44/5
User experience
4.69/5
User scores
4.6/5
Pros
- Global reach
- Donor familiarity
- Discounted charity rates
Cons
- Account holds
- Limited fundraising tools
- High currency conversion fee
Why PayPal is good for nonprofits
PayPal is a standout choice for nonprofits due to its global reach and donor familiarity. With zero monthly fees, nonprofits only pay per transaction, which helps manage costs effectively. It offers a discounted charity rate of 1.99% + $0.49 per transaction for 501(c)(3) organizations, helping to reduce processing costs.
The familiarity of many donors with PayPal increases the likelihood of contributions. It supports multiple payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal balance, and Venmo, providing flexibility for donors. The quick setup process allows nonprofits to start accepting donations swiftly, making it a convenient and efficient option for organizations of all sizes.
Payment methods
- Credit and debit cards
- Venmo
Ways to accept donations
- Donate buttons: Add a simple, customizable donate button to your website or emails, making it easy for donors to contribute with just a click.
- Donation pages: Create donation pages with options of letting your donors give fixed donation amounts or a custom amount of their choosing.
- Campaign page: Create dedicated campaign pages to showcase your fundraising efforts, share your mission, and collect donations all in one place.
- QR code: Generate a QR code for your campaign that donors can scan with their smartphones to quickly and easily make donations.
- Invoice: Easily send invoices to donors for larger contributions or specific fundraising campaigns, providing a professional and organized payment process.
- Payment links: Create and share payment links through social media, emails, or text messages to reach donors wherever they are.
- Recurring donations: Allow supporters to set up automatic, recurring donations to provide ongoing support for your cause.
- International payments: Expand your reach by accepting donations from supporters around the globe in multiple currencies.
Key features
- No monthly fees: PayPal doesn’t charge any setup or monthly fees, so you only pay for the transactions you process.
- Discounted charity rate: Special rate of 1.99% + $0.49 per transaction for 501(c)(3) organizations helps reduce costs.
- Easy integrations: Seamlessly integrates with various platforms and fundraising tools, making it simple to add PayPal as a payment option.
- Multiple payment methods: Accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal balance, and alternative payments like Venmo, offering donors flexibility.
- Fraud protection tools: Advanced security features to protect your transactions and donor information.
- 24/7 customer support: Round-the-clock support ensures help is available whenever you need it.
- International reach: Accept donations from over 200 countries, making global fundraising a breeze for nonprofits.
- Monthly fee: $0–$30
- Virtual terminal monthly fee: $30
- Processing rate for charities: 1.99% + $0.49
- Zettle in-person rate: 2.29% + $0.09
- Venmo payments: 3.49% + $0.49
- Hardware: $0 to $199
Square: Best for in-person donations and sales
Overall Score
4.22/5
Pricing
4/5
Features
4.06/5
Support and reliability
4.06/5
User experience
4.38/5
User scores
4.6/5
Pros
- Flexible hardware options
- Omnichannel capabilities
- Easy set-up
Cons
- No nonprofit discounts
- Limited dedicated fundraising tools
- Limited customer support
Why Square is good for nonprofits
Square is an excellent choice for nonprofits, especially those with a focus on in-person donations and sales. Its flexible hardware options, including contactless chip readers and POS systems, make it easy to accept payments at events or in physical locations.
Its no monthly fees and easy setup help nonprofits get started without upfront costs. Robust reporting tools provide valuable insights into donations and sales, while omnichannel capabilities support both in-person and online transactions, offering nonprofits the flexibility they need to manage their funds effectively.
Payment methods
- Credit and debit cards
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)
- ACH payments
Ways to accept donations
- Card readers: Use Square’s contactless chip readers and POS systems to accept credit and debit card donations at events or in-person fundraisers easily and securely.
- Online: Set up an online store or donation page, enabling supporters to contribute through your website with just a few clicks.
- Recurring donations: Allow donors to set up automatic, recurring contributions, providing a steady stream of support for your nonprofit.
- Invoice: Send customized invoices to donors for larger contributions or specific fundraising initiatives, streamlining the donation process.
- Virtual terminal: Accept donations over the phone or by mail with Square’s virtual terminal, offering flexibility for donors who prefer these methods.
Key features
- No monthly fees: No setup or monthly fees mean you keep your costs low and manageable.
- Flexible hardware options: Pick from a variety of cool hardware like contactless chip readers and POS systems to accept in-person donations effortlessly.
- Omnichannel capabilities: Handle both in-person and online transactions smoothly, giving you flexibility in how you collect donations.
- Robust reporting tools: Get detailed insights with Square’s analytics and reporting to track donations and sales easily.
- Quick setup: Start accepting donations in no time with a super easy setup process.
- Mobile payments: Accept donations on the go with Square’s mobile payment options, allowing you to securely process transactions anywhere using your smartphone or tablet.
- Monthly fee: $0–$29
- Virtual terminal monthly fee: $0
- In-person processing rate: 2.6% + $0.10
- Online processing rate: 2.9% + $0.30
- Virtual terminal rate: 3.5% + $0.15
- Invoices: 3.3% + $0.30
- Hardware: $0 to $299
iATS: Best for integrated nonprofit solutions
Overall Score
4.12/5
Pricing
4.5/5
Features
4.69/5
Support and reliability
3.44/5
User experience
3.75/5
User scores
4.23/5
Pros
- Specialized nonprofit focus
- Integrated solutions
- Dedicated support
Cons
- For nonprofits only
- Limited customization
- Fees are not disclosed
Why iATS is good for nonprofits
iATS is an excellent choice for nonprofits seeking integrated payment solutions tailored to their specific needs. With a specialized focus on nonprofits, iATS offers dedicated donation management and fundraising solutions. The platform seamlessly integrates with leading nonprofit management software, ensuring smooth data synchronization and simplifying administrative tasks. Additionally, iATS prioritizes donor data protection with robust security measures and PCI-DSS compliance, instilling trust among supporters.
Support for recurring donations is a key advantage, enabling nonprofits to manage predictable revenue streams for long-term sustainability. iATS also provides dedicated customer support that understands the unique challenges of nonprofit operations, offering knowledgeable assistance tailored to the sector’s needs.
Payment methods
- Credit and debit cards
- ACH payments
Ways to accept donations
- Online donations: Easily set up a secure donation page on your website, allowing supporters to contribute directly online.
- Recurring donations: Manage and process recurring donations to provide consistent support for your nonprofit.
- Event payments: Collect payments for fundraising events, ticket sales, and auctions effortlessly.
- Direct debit/ACH: Offer direct debit or ACH options for donors who prefer bank transfers.
- Mobile payments: Accept donations on the go with mobile payment solutions, making it convenient for donors at events or in the field.
Key features
- Nonprofit-focused: Specifically designed for nonprofits, offering various tools for fundraising.
- Integrated CRM solutions: Easily sync with popular CRMs like Salesforce and Blackbaud, making donor management a breeze.
- Secure payment processing: Enjoy top-notch security for safe and compliant transactions, keeping donor info protected.
- Recurring donations management: Effortlessly set up and manage recurring donations for ongoing support.
- Comprehensive support: Get help from a support team that understands nonprofit challenges.
- Monthly fee: Not disclosed
- Processing fee: Estimated to be around 2.4% to 3.2%
Donorbox: Best for donor management
Overall Score
3.99/5
Pricing
4.5/5
Features
3.75/5
Support and reliability
2.81/5
User experience
4.06/5
User scores
4.8/5
Pros
- Uses both Stripe and PayPal for payment processing
- Donor control over donation frequency
- Accepts stock or crypto donations
Cons
- Has an additional platform fee
- Pricing can be confusing
- Can be expensive
Why Donorbox is good for nonprofits
Donorbox is ideal for small nonprofits looking for flexibility in payment processing. It uses both Stripe and PayPal/Venmo, giving better control over operating costs. Its donor management tool gives more control to its donors. Donors can easily log in and manage their settings and payment methods, providing a smooth and user-friendly experience.
Its free plan is feature-rich and allows you to start accepting donations right away without any upfront costs. Its higher plan also accepts crypto or stock donations — something that other providers on this list don’t have.
Payment methods
- Credit and debit cards
- ACH payments
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Cryptocurrency
- Stock donations
Ways to accept donations
- Donation forms: Create and customize donation forms that can be embedded on your website.
- Text-to-give (text-to-pay): Enable donors to give via text message, making donations quick and convenient directly from their mobile devices.
- Payment links/donation buttons: Generate unique payment links and buttons to include in emails, social media, or your website.
- Crowdfunding: Set up crowdfunding pages to engage your community in specific fundraising campaigns, complete with progress tracking.
- Event ticketing: Sell tickets for fundraising events directly through Donorbox, managing event registration and payments in one place.
- Recurring donation/memberships: Allow supporters to set up recurring donations or memberships.
- Peer-to-peer (Venmo): Accept peer-to-peer donations through Venmo.
Key features
- No monthly fees: Start with Donorbox’s free plan, making it accessible for nonprofits of any size without initial costs.
- Flexible payment processing: Works seamlessly with both Stripe and PayPal, giving you options to manage processing costs effectively.
- User-friendly interface: Simplifies the donation process for both donors and administrators with its intuitive user interface.
- Recurring donations: Allows you to set up and manage recurring donations easily.
- Donor management tools: Robust tools allow donors to log in, manage their settings, and update payment methods effortlessly.
- Customizable donation forms: Create forms that match your branding and embed them on your website.
- Text-to-Give: Offer donors the convenience of contributing via text message, enhancing mobile donation capabilities.
- Event ticketing: Sell and manage event tickets, streamlining the process for fundraising events.
- Crowdfunding pages: Launch crowdfunding campaigns with ease, engaging your community and tracking progress.
- Monthly fee:
- Standard Plan: $0 per month
- Pro Plan: $139 per month
- Premium: Custom
- Processing fee:
- Stripe: 2.2% + $0.30
- PayPal: 1.99% + $0.49
- ACH: 0.8% (capped at $5 pre transaction)
- Platform fee:
- Standard Plan: 1.75%-2.95%
- Pro Plan: 1.5%
- Premium: 1.5%
What are nonprofit businesses?
Nonprofits exist to serve public or mutual benefits rather than to generate profits for owners. It is important to be categorized correctly as a nonprofit business because of several advantages it offers:
- Tax exemptions: Nonprofits, especially those with 501(c)(3) status, often qualify for federal and state tax exemptions.
- Eligibility for grants and donations: Only recognized nonprofits can receive certain grants and donations.
- Public trust: Official status enhances credibility and attracts more supporters.
- Discounted rates: Many service providers, including payment processors, offer discounted rates to nonprofits.
Nonprofit status, particularly 501(c)(3), and the Merchant Category Code (MCC) 8398 affect payment processing:
- Discounted processing rates: Nonprofits often receive lower rates, reducing transaction costs. Stripe, PayPal, and Donorbox all offer lower processing rates for 501(c)(3) businesses, while Helcim passes on lower interchange rates for businesses with MCC 8398.
- Waived fees: Set-up and monthly fees may be waived.
- Favorable terms: More flexible contract terms are often available when negotiating custom plans and rates, like with iATS.
Which is the best nonprofit payment processing provider?
Selecting the best credit card processing provider for your nonprofit hinges on specific needs and operational goals.
Helcim stands out for its transparent interchange-plus pricing and donor management tools, ideal for organizations prioritizing clear financial oversight. Givebutter provides a comprehensive nonprofit platform, potentially free for nonprofits if donors cover fees, offering customizable donation pages and event ticketing for effective supporter engagement.
Stripe provides global accessibility and robust API integration, making it scalable for online payments. PayPal has a user-friendly interface and extensive user base, while Square offers excellent tools for in-person donations. IATS and Donorbox round out the options with specialized features for nonprofits, such as recurring donations and international payment capabilities.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
