Donately Licensing

An open letter to nonprofit leaders...

Lately, we’ve been feeling like transparency and affordability often seem like distant dreams. This has sparked a reminder of why we began Donately.

When we founded Donately over 10 years ago, our vision was clear: to empower nonprofits with powerful, easy-to-use tools that drive impact without draining budgets or small teams. Today, as the fundraising landscape evolves, we remain committed to this vision. We are thrilled to introduce Donately Licensing—a way for us to redefine fundraising solutions, allowing you to own your fundraising software, save money, and allocate more resources to your mission-driven work.

The hidden costs of "free" platforms

Many fundraising platforms lure nonprofits with the promise of being "free," only to burden your donors with hidden fees and tips, sometimes as high as 10%. These fees detract from your mission and mislead your supporters. With our new licensing model – along with our pay as you go option – any fees you decide to charge will go directly to your organization, ensuring full transparency and fairness.

Real savings for real impact

Let’s take a look at how the fees add up from our competitors. When you average out upfront fees, add-on services, and donor tips, most organizations we talk to average over $200/mo and upwards to 5% transaction costs. That may sound crazy, but crack the hood and you’ll see even the free platforms are charging more than they should. If you raise $500,000 a year on Donately’s new licensing model, you could save over 70% in the first year alone. Thats a savings of over $20,000 and that's just the beginning—the savings only grow in the years that follow. Nonprofits deserve a better alternative to high fees and opaque pricing structures.

Breaking the cycle of monthly fees

Fundraising should not be about perpetually renting tools without ownership. Many platforms charge exorbitant monthly fees or add hidden fees, creating a cycle that drains your budget. At Donately, we offer a cost-effective solution that allows you to pay once and own your tools indefinitely.

Stability and transparency in pricing

Other platforms often entice organizations with low initial fees or guarantees, only to hike prices or add loopholes later. Donately's licensing model offers stability and transparency. You pay a one-time fee based on your revenue tier and a minimal 0.5% maintenance fee on processed donations. If your organization grows and surpasses your current tier, you only pay the difference to upgrade, protecting you from unexpected costs and ensuring consistent support as you expand.

A commitment to our roots

We have always aimed to provide affordable, robust solutions for organizations of all sizes. Our move to establish a licensing option is our way of returning to our roots, ensuring that you have access to the best tools without financial strain.

How it works

• One-Time Fee: Purchase a platform license based on your annual revenue threshold.
• Minimal Maintenance Fee: Just 0.5% on processed donations.
• Seamless Upgrades: Only pay the difference when moving to a higher revenue tier.

Why Donately?

By choosing Donately, you invest in a future where you own your fundraising tools, free from hidden costs and ongoing fees. We are dedicated to disrupting the fundraising landscape, currently dominated by high-cost tech tools, to better serve your needs and direct more resources towards your mission.

I invite you to connect with us and learn how licensing Donately can improve your fundraising approach. Schedule a call with our team today and explore how we can help you create a more transparent, effective, and impactful fundraising environment.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in Donately.

All the best,

Javan Van Gronigen
Co-Founder, Donately

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