Is Zeffy's donation platform really free, and are there fees to collect donations?

Yes, Zeffy's donation platform is free, with no platform fee, no transaction fee and no card fee. A $50 gift arrives as $50 in your bank account, because Zeffy covers the card processing cost. Zeffy is funded by an optional contribution donors can add at checkout, and they can lower it or set it to zero. Every donation also lands in your free donor CRM, next to your events, memberships and campaigns, with no separate bill.

"With Zeffy, we receive 100% of every donation, which makes an enormous difference in our ability to fund programs and support those in crisis." Kim B., The Brandon Caserta Foundation (G2)

Can I create a free donation page, donation link or donate button?

Yes, Zeffy lets you create a donation page and a donate button for free.

Every donation form comes with its own donation page, a shareable donation link and a QR code, so you can start collecting today.

On your own website, add a donate button that opens your form, or embed the form right in the page: WordPress and Wix have free Zeffy add-ons, and other site builders use a custom-code block.

No website at all? Your free Zeffy Landing Page gathers your donation forms, events, memberships and shop under one link, with your logo and colors. Every supporter lands in your free donor CRM, whichever route they came through.

Can I collect recurring donations, and how often can donors give?

Yes, Zeffy donation forms take recurring donations. Donors can give weekly, every two weeks, monthly, quarterly or yearly, next to a one-time option, and you choose which ones appear on your form. Zeffy can also invite a one-time donor to make their gift monthly, right in the form. Donors pick the day they're charged and manage their gift from the link in their receipt email, with no password needed. Monthly donors get one cumulative tax receipt for the year.

Can I customize the donation form to match my branding?

Yes, you can customize your Zeffy donation form to match your brand. Add your logo, a banner image or a YouTube video, then pick a color theme in light or dark mode, a background (plain, shapes or animated) and your title font. Next to each suggested amount, add a line saying what it pays for. You can also add your own questions, write the thank-you email donors receive, and let people give in honor or in memory of someone.

Can donors give from their donor-advised fund?

Yes, Zeffy accepts donor-advised fund (DAF) gifts for US charities, with no fees. Donors pick their fund provider and send the request in a few clicks, and you track each gift in your Zeffy dashboard until it arrives.

How do Zeffy payouts work and when will I receive my donations?

Zeffy payouts send your donations straight to the bank account you connected, with nothing to withdraw and no payout fee. They land every Monday, or once a month if that suits your bookkeeping better, and next-day/on-demand payouts are available too. Whatever the schedule, you always receive 100% of what your donors gave.

Do my donors get a tax receipt automatically?

Yes, Zeffy sends tax receipts automatically once you switch them on: one goes out the moment a gift arrives, attached to the confirmation email. Each January, Zeffy also re-sends every donor their receipts with a Giving Recap of their year. Monthly donors get one cumulative receipt for the year. See donation receipts for the details.

What's the best way for nonprofits to accept donations online?

The best way for nonprofits to accept donations online is a donation form built for nonprofits rather than a general payment link. A real form issues the tax receipt, remembers the donor and lets them start a recurring gift, while a payment app leaves you reconciling a bank statement by hand. With Zeffy you build that form for free, connect your bank account and share the link, and every gift arrives whole. Our guide to accepting donations online goes step by step.

Do I need 501(c)(3) status, or can I start while my application is pending?

No, you don't need 501(c)(3) status to use Zeffy: any registered nonprofit type is welcome, 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(5) included. If your IRS determination is still pending, choose "Other nonprofit organization" when you register and update it once your letter arrives, which also switches on automatic tax receipts. You'll need an EIN and a bank account in your organization's name.