Does JustGiving Take a Cut of Donations? Explained

JustGiving is a dedicated platform committed to supporting charities and facilitating a seamless donation process for individuals looking to make a difference. One of the common concerns among donors is whether JustGiving takes a cut of the donations meant for charity causes. However, rest assured that JustGiving operates with pure intentions and doesn’t charge any fees on individual charity donations. Instead, they provide donors with the option to make a voluntary contribution towards the upkeep and maintenance of their platform, ensuring it’s continuous support to charitable endeavors. With JustGiving, you can choose the plan that best suits your charity's needs, promoting transparency and maximizing the impact of your fundraising efforts.

Is JustGiving in the USA?

JustGiving, the popular online fundraising platform, hasn’t been available for use in the United States until now. However, there’s been a recent change that’s allowed verified 501c3 public charities to join JustGiving. Previously, this platform was only accessible to charities in the United Kingdom and certain other countries. The expansion of JustGiving to the US market has received positive response from many charitable organizations, as it provides them with a new and efficient way to raise funds for their causes.

This versatility can greatly benefit US charities, as it allows them to offer different ways for donors to get involved and make a difference.

When it comes to online crowdfunding platforms, two names that often come up are GoFundMe and JustGiving. While both platforms allow individuals to raise funds for various causes, there are some notable differences between them. One significant distinction is the platform fee. GoFundMe stands out with it’s 0% platform fee, meaning that all the donations go directly to the cause. On the other hand, JustGiving takes 5% of the Gift Aid added to each donation made to a charity. This difference in fees can affect the overall amount that reaches the intended beneficiaries.

What Is the Difference Between GoFundMe and JustGiving?

When it comes to online crowdfunding platforms, GoFundMe and JustGiving are two popular choices that individuals and organizations utilize to raise funds for various causes. Although both platforms serve the same purpose, there are some notable differences between them.

One of the main distinctions lies in the platform fees. GoFundMe stands out for not charging any platform fees, meaning that users can keep the entirety of the funds they raise. On the other hand, JustGiving applies a 5% fee on the Gift Aid added to each donation made to a charity. This fee is deducted from the total amount raised.

Both platforms offer easy-to-use tools for campaign creation, allowing users to customize their pages, share them on social media, and accept donations securely. They also provide options for promoting campaigns, tracking progress, and communicating with donors. However, each platform may have it’s own unique interface and additional features that users can explore.

Ultimately, the choice between GoFundMe and JustGiving may depend on the specific needs of the fundraiser or organization. Considerations such as the desired reach, type of cause, geographic location, and associated fees can all factor into the decision-making process.

Pros and Cons of Using JustGiving for Charity Fundraising

JustGiving is an online platform that allows individuals and organizations to raise funds for charitable causes. The platform has it’s own set of pros and cons that one should consider before using it for charity fundraising.

Pros:
1. Wide reach: JustGiving has a large user base and a strong online presence, which means that your fundraising campaign can reach a wide audience of potential donors.
2. Easy setup: The platform makes it quick and easy to set up a fundraising page, allowing you to start collecting donations in a matter of minutes.
3. Fundraising tools: JustGiving provides various tools and resources to help you promote your campaign, track donations, and engage with donors. These features can enhance your fundraising efforts.
4. Trusted platform: JustGiving is a well-established and reputable platform, which can provide credibility to your campaign and encourage people to donate.
5. Integration with social media: The platform allows seamless integration with social media platforms, making it easy to share your campaign and reach a larger audience.

Cons:
1. Fees: JustGiving charges a fee for using it’s platform, typically a percentage of the funds raised or a fixed fee per donation. This can lower the total amount of money that goes directly to the charitable cause.
2. Lack of control: Using JustGiving means that you’re relying on a third-party platform to handle your fundraising. This lack of control can be a disadvantage if you prefer to have full control over the donation process.
3. Crowded marketplace: JustGiving is a popular platform, which means there are many other fundraising campaigns competing for donors’ attention. It can be challenging to stand out and attract donations in such a crowded marketplace.
4. Limited customization: While the platform provides some customization options, there may be limitations on how much you can personalize your fundraising page to align with your specific cause or brand.
5. Data ownership: When using JustGiving, you’re essentially entrusting your donor data to the platform. This may raise concerns for some individuals or organizations who prefer to retain full control and ownership of their donor information.

Overall, JustGiving can be a powerful tool for charity fundraising, but it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it aligns with your specific fundraising goals and needs.

Source: GoFundMe vs JustGiving

JustGiving, a popular Crowdfunding platform, offers a user-friendly experience that’s free to sign up for and create a Crowdfunding Page. However, it’s important to note that there are card-processing costs associated with donations made in GBP via debit or credit card. The fee per transaction is 2.9% plus 25p.

Does JustGiving Charge a Fee?

JustGiving, the renowned crowdfunding platform, allows users to sign up and create crowdfunding pages for free. This means that you can easily set up a campaign without any initial fees or charges. However, it’s worth noting that at the conclusion of your campaign, JustGiving deducts card-processing costs from the total amount you’ve raised before transferring the remaining funds directly to you.

When it comes to donations made in British pounds (GBP) through debit or credit cards, JustGiving charges a fee per transaction. This fee amounts to 2.9% of the donation total, in addition to an extra 25 pence. These charges cover the processing costs associated with securely handling online payments and transactions.

While these fees may be taken into account, they provide a reliable and efficient way for donors to contribute to your cause conveniently through various payment methods. In return, you can trust that JustGiving will handle the payment processing professionally while ensuring the security of sensitive financial information.

Despite these fees, JustGiving remains a popular choice for individuals and organizations seeking to raise funds for a wide range of causes, including personal campaigns, charitable initiatives, and community projects. With it’s user-friendly interface and widespread recognition, JustGiving continues to empower individuals and amplifies their impact by providing a platform that makes fundraising accessible to anyone with an Internet connection.

The platforms fees cover card-processing costs and are necessary to ensure the smooth and secure processing of online transactions.

How JustGiving Handles Donations Made in Currencies Other Than GBP

When it comes to donations made in currencies other than GBP, JustGiving has a mechanism in place to handle them smoothly. JustGiving has integrated solutions that allow them to convert and process these donations efficiently. By partnering with reliable financial institutions, they ensure that the currency exchange process is transparent and fair. This ensures that the intended recipients receive the full value of donations, regardless of the currency they were made in. JustGiving makes sure that the process is seamless for both the donors and the fundraising causes, allowing them to make a difference across various currencies.

Following it’s acquisition in October 2017, JustGiving came under the ownership of Blackbaud, Inc., a U.S.-based company. The deal involved a significant sum of £95 million, marking Blackbaud’s entrance into the online fundraising market.

Who Is JustGiving Owned By?

JustGiving, the popular online fundraising platform, found itself under new ownership in October 20The company was acquired by Blackbaud, Inc., a U.S.-based organization that specializes in providing software and services to nonprofits and foundations. This acquisition came with a hefty price tag of £95 million, solidifying Blackbauds commitment to the philanthropic sector.

With it’s deep pockets and extensive experience in the nonprofit industry, Blackbaud is well positioned to support and enhance JustGivings operations. This acquisition opens up new possibilities for JustGiving, as it will now have access to Blackbauds extensive network and resources. Additionally, Blackbauds expertise in fundraising technology could potentially enhance JustGivings existing platform, leading to a more seamless and efficient experience for it’s users.

Charitable giving not only provides support to those in need and serves worthy causes, but it can also significantly reduce your income tax expenses. It’s important to remember that donations of cash and items can qualify for tax deductions, but it’s crucial to ensure that the recipient is a 503(c)(3) charitable organization and to keep proper donation records.

Are Donations Worth Claiming on Taxes?

Donations to charities and nonprofit organizations can provide significant benefits beyond the mere act of giving. Not only can charitable giving help those in need or support a worthy cause, but it can also lower your income tax expense. This is because eligible donations of cash, as well as items, are tax deductible.

To ensure that you can claim your donations on your taxes, it’s important to make sure that the recipient is a qualified 503(c)(3) charitable organization. These organizations are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and meet specific criteria to qualify for tax-exempt status. It’s crucial to do your due diligence and ensure that your chosen charity is legitimate and eligible for tax deductions.

In order to substantiate your donations and claim them on your taxes, it’s important to keep your donation receipts. These receipts serve as proof of your contribution and can be very helpful in case of an audit by the IRS. They should include the name and address of the charitable organization, the date and amount of your donation, and a statement indicating whether you received any goods or services in exchange for your donation.

In addition, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed in 2017 increased the standard deduction, which means that many taxpayers may no longer benefit from itemizing their deductions. Before deciding whether to claim your donations, it’s crucial to consult with a tax professional or use tax software to determine the most advantageous approach for your individual circumstances.

Different Rules and Limitations for Claiming Charitable Deductions Based on the Type of Organization (e.g., Religious, Educational, Scientific)

  • Religious organizations must meet certain criteria to claim deductible contributions.
    • Contributions must be used for religious purposes.
    • IRS Publication 526 provides detailed guidelines for deductible religious contributions.
  • Educational organizations, such as schools and colleges, have specific rules for deductible contributions.
    • Contributions must be made for the school’s educational mission.
    • Tuition payments or donations related to specific individuals are usually non-deductible.
    • Taxpayers should refer to IRS Publication 526 for more information.
  • Scientific organizations, including research institutions, have their own set of guidelines.
    • Contributions must support scientific research or other scientific activities.
    • Funding should be directed towards qualifying projects or initiatives.
    • IRS Publication 526 provides further details on deductible contributions to scientific organizations.
  • It’s important to consult tax professionals or refer to IRS guidelines to ensure compliance with charitable deduction rules based on the type of organization you’re donating to.

However, there may be circumstances where a donor wishes to retract a donation. Although charity donations are generally non-refundable, specific cases may arise where a refund is considered. It’s essential to understand the implications for both the charity and the donor, as well as the terms and conditions set forth by the fundraising platform. Let’s explore the aspects involved in retracting a donation and the considerations that need to be taken into account.

Can You Retract a Donation?

When it comes to charity donations, the general rule is that they’re non-refundable. Once you make a donation, it’s typically considered irrevocable and final. This means that you can’t retract or undo your donation after it’s been made. The reason behind this is to ensure that charities can rely on the funds they receive and plan their projects accordingly. If donors were allowed to retract their donations at will, it would create significant uncertainty and financial instability for charitable organizations.

Furthermore, most donations are undesignated, meaning that they aren’t specifically earmarked for a particular purpose or project. This allows charities to use the funds where they’re most needed, based on their own priorities and strategic plans.

Conclusion

This demonstrates their dedication to ensuring that the maximum amount of funds reach the intended causes. With a variety of plans to choose from, charities have the flexibility to select the option that best suits their needs. This commitment to transparency, flexibility, and amplifying the impact of charitable giving positions JustGiving as a valuable resource for both donors and charities alike.

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