Zeffy processes donations, ticket sales, and memberships for nonprofits without charging any platform or transaction fees, funding itself instead through optional tips from donors at checkout. For African social enterprises and NGOs, it removes a real cost that typically eats into every donation received.
Key features
- Donation forms, event ticketing, and membership management in one platform
- No platform fees, transaction fees, or credit card processing fees charged to the nonprofit
- Optional donor tip at checkout funds the platform instead of fees on the organization
- Automated, compliant tax receipts issued to donors
Pricing
Zeffy charges nonprofits nothing. All payment processing is funded by an optional tip prompt shown to donors at checkout, which they can decline without affecting the nonprofit’s payout. On average, roughly two out of three donors leave a voluntary tip. Confirm eligibility requirements for nonprofit status on Zeffy’s site, since the free model applies specifically to registered nonprofits.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Genuinely no fees taken from the nonprofit’s donations, unlike most fundraising platforms | Free tier is built specifically for nonprofits, so it may not extend to community groups without formal nonprofit status |
| Donors are never required to tip, so the nonprofit still receives the full donation either way | Revenue depends on donor generosity, which is outside the nonprofit’s direct control |
Who it’s for
Registered African nonprofits, NGOs, and social enterprises running donation campaigns, ticketed events, or membership programs that want to keep 100 percent of what they raise.
Who should skip it
For-profit social enterprises or businesses without formal nonprofit status should confirm eligibility first, since Zeffy’s free model is built around registered nonprofits.
How to get started
Confirm your organization’s nonprofit eligibility, set up your first donation form or event page, and test the checkout flow including the optional donor tip.
FAQ
Is Zeffy really free, with no hidden fees?
Yes, Zeffy does not charge nonprofits platform, transaction, or processing fees. It funds itself through optional donor tips instead.
What happens if a donor declines to tip?
The nonprofit still receives the full donation amount. Tipping is entirely optional and does not affect the payout.
Disclosure: Africapreneurs may earn a commission if you sign up for Zeffy through the links in this article. This does not change what you pay, and it does not influence which tools we choose to cover.
