{"question": "best payment processing for nonprofits", "category": "payment-processing", "category_name": "payment processing", "audience": "nonprofits", "audience_name": "nonprofits", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-10-21T00:39:34Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payment-processing-nonprofits-2026-10-21", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/payment-processing/nonprofits", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Stripe", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "EIN", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Zeffy", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Givebutter", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "PayPal", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Dharma Merchant Services", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Square", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Donorbox", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://checkoutpage.com/blog/stripe-for-nonprofits", "domain": "checkoutpage.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://givebutter.com/blog/stripe-for-nonprofits", "domain": "givebutter.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.zeffy.com/blog/fundraising-app", "domain": "zeffy.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://charitycharge.com/?p=7834", "domain": "charitycharge.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://rallyup.com/learn/paypal-vs-stripe-which-payment-processor-is-best-for-nonprofits/", "domain": "rallyup.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.societ.com/?p=101868", "domain": "societ.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.merchantmaverick.com/?p=389", "domain": "merchantmaverick.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/dharma-merchant-services-review", "domain": "nerdwallet.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://bloomerang.com/blog/nonprofit-credit-card-processing", "domain": "bloomerang.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.zeffy.com/compare/zeffy-vs-donorbox", "domain": "zeffy.com", "source_type": "vendor"}], "answer_text": "Here's how I'd rank them, depending on where you sit:\n\n**1. Stripe (with the nonprofit discount) - the default for most orgs**\n2.2% + 30¢ once approved, vs. their standard 2.9% + 30¢. It's the processor nearly every donation platform sits on top of, so you keep flexibility. Caveats: the discount isn't automatic - you apply with your EIN/IRS determination letter, and you need 80%+ of your Stripe volume to be tax-deductible donations. Amex, memberships, ticketing and international cards are excluded or cost more. ([checkoutpage.com](https://checkoutpage.com/blog/stripe-for-nonprofits), [givebutter.com](https://givebutter.com/blog/stripe-for-nonprofits))\n\n**2. Zeffy - if you're small and fee-sensitive**\nGenuinely $0: no platform fee, no processing fee, no subscription. They survive on optional donor tips at checkout (~80% of donors tip). The tradeoff is real - you're asking your donors to pay Zeffy, and the tip prompt is part of your checkout flow. For a small org where 3% is the difference between a program running or not, it's the obvious pick. ([zeffy.com](https://www.zeffy.com/blog/fundraising-app))\n\n**3. Givebutter - best all-in-one that isn't tip-dependent**\nFree if donor tips c", "answer_truncated": true, "measurement": "One answer from one engine on one date. Not a ranking and not a claim about the world; brands the engine did not name are not recorded.", "limitation": "Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.", "alerts": {"name": "Answer Watch Pro", "price_usd": 79, "period": "month", "gets": "daily change alerts for up to 5 brands in what one AI answer engine says, history, CSV export. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included", "url": "https://bikoosh.com/answers"}}