International Payment Solution for Non-Profits: Top Picks

The nonprofit sector is booming, valued at $289.25 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $394.42 billion by 2030. With this growth, cross-border donations are becoming increasingly vital for organizations aiming to expand their impact globally.

However, nonprofits often face challenges like high currency conversion fees, complex compliance requirements, and limited multi-currency support. These hurdles can hinder their ability to receive donations efficiently and maintain donor trust.

To address these issues, tools like Karbon FX offer a cost-effective way to handle transactions across borders. With features like PCI compliance and seamless multi-currency support, it ensures a smooth experience for both organizations and donors.

Other notable options include Stripe, which supports over 135 currencies, and Givebutter, an all-in-one platform for fundraising. Choosing the right tools can make a significant difference in achieving fundraising goals.

Key Takeaways

• The nonprofit sector is growing rapidly, with cross-border donations playing a key role.
• Currency conversion fees and compliance issues are common challenges.
• Karbon FX stands out for its low-cost and efficient transaction handling.
• PCI compliance and multi-currency support are critical factors to consider.
• Stripe and Givebutter are also strong contenders for nonprofits.

Why Non-Profits Need Reliable International Payment Solutions

Donors increasingly expect fast and secure ways to support their favorite causes. However, many nonprofits struggle with manual bank transfers and high fees, which can deter contributions. A payment processor that simplifies these processes is crucial for retaining donors and maximizing revenue.

For example, one nonprofit lost 15% of its revenue to foreign exchange fees before switching to a more efficient provider. High fees and complex processes not only reduce funds but also frustrate donors, leading to abandoned transactions. In fact, 34% of donors abandon donations due to complicated checkout processes.

Security is another critical factor. PCI Level 1 compliance reduces fraud risks by 60%, ensuring donor information remains safe. Platforms like Stripe excel in this area, blocking 89% of suspicious transactions with integrated fraud detection.

When comparing providers, PayPal’s 4.39% cross-border fees stand in stark contrast to Karbon FX’s 0.5-1% FX margins. Lower fees mean more funds go directly to the cause, making a significant difference for nonprofits.

By choosing the right tools, nonprofits can streamline transactions, enhance donor trust, and focus on their mission. A reliable payment processor is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Key Features to Look for in an International Payment Solution

Efficient handling of donations is critical for nonprofits to maximize their impact. One of the most important factors is processing fees. Credit card transactions often charge 2.9% or more, while ACH transfers can cost as little as 0.5%. This difference is significant, especially for large donations.

Nonprofits should also prioritize features like recurring donations, text-to-give options, and automated tax receipts. These tools not only simplify donor contributions but also enhance engagement and trust.

Karbon FX stands out with its real-time FX rates, updated every 15 minutes. This ensures accurate currency conversions and minimizes losses due to fluctuating rates. Additionally, its compliance with regulations across 40+ countries makes it a reliable choice for global operations.

Another critical feature is settlement time. Solutions offering

Below is a comparison of processing fees for different methods:

By choosing a platform with low fees, multi-currency support, and fast settlements, nonprofits can focus on their mission rather than financial hurdles. Karbon FX, with its competitive rates and robust features, is an ideal choice for organizations with global donors.

Givebutter: A Comprehensive Payment Processing Solution

Givebutter stands out as a versatile platform for organizations aiming to streamline their fundraising efforts. It supports over 12 payment methods, including Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. This flexibility ensures donors can contribute using their preferred method, enhancing the overall experience.

Flexible Payment Methods

Givebutter’s wide range of payment options caters to diverse donor preferences. From traditional credit cards to modern digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, it simplifies the process to accept donations. Unique features like Venmo Charity Profiles further expand its appeal, making it a top choice for modern fundraising campaigns.

A case study highlights its effectiveness: a 501(c)(3) organization increased recurring donations by 40% using Givebutter’s text-to-donate feature. This demonstrates how innovative tools can drive donor engagement and boost fundraising success.

Transparent Pricing Model

Givebutter’s pricing model is designed with transparency in mind. Unlike PayPal’s 1.99% nonprofit rate, it charges a 0% platform fee. This allows more funds to go directly to the cause, maximizing the impact of every donation.

Additionally, its donor coverage fee feature recovers 78% of transaction costs, reducing financial strain on organizations. When compared to PayPal’s basic donate buttons, Givebutter’s event fundraising tools offer greater functionality and customization, making it a superior choice for organizations hosting events.

PayPal for Non-Profits: Pros and Cons

PayPal remains a widely recognized name in the digital payment space, especially for organizations handling donations. Its ease of use and global recognition make it a popular choice for many nonprofits. However, its fee structure and limitations can pose challenges for organizations operating internationally.

Ease of Use and Popularity

PayPal’s user-friendly interface and 55% donor recognition rate make it a go-to option for many organizations. Donors are familiar with the platform, which reduces friction during the donation process. However, redirecting users to PayPal’s checkout page can lead to a 22% drop-off rate, as some donors prefer seamless, on-site transactions.

Fee Structure and Limitations

While PayPal offers a discounted rate of 1.99% + $0.49 for U.S. nonprofits, international transactions can cost up to 4.39%. For example, a $100 donation costs $2.48 domestically but $4.88 internationally. These fees can add up, especially for organizations relying on cross-border contributions.

Additionally, PayPal does not support transactions in 18 countries, including Cuba and Iran. For nonprofits operating in these regions, pairing PayPal with a platform like Karbon FX, which offers 0.8% fees for cross-border transactions, can be a cost-effective solution.

• PayPal’s market dominance ensures donor familiarity.
• High international fees can reduce funds for nonprofits.
• Checkout abandonment risks increase with redirects.
• Unsupported countries may require alternative solutions.

Stripe: A Global Payment Service Provider

Stripe has emerged as a leading choice for organizations seeking efficient donation processing. With support for over 135 currencies, it simplifies cross-border transactions, making it ideal for nonprofits with global donors. Its embedded checkout forms and nonprofit discount of 2.2% + $0.30 further enhance its appeal.

Discounted Rates for Non-Profits

Stripe offers a 0.7% savings over standard business rates for nonprofits. This discount, combined with its competitive pricing, ensures more funds go directly to the cause. For example, a $100 donation costs just $2.50, compared to $3.20 for standard businesses.

Seamless Integration with Websites

Stripe’s API integration enables custom donation flows in 150+ languages, ensuring a smooth experience for donors worldwide. Its embedded forms boast a 92% checkout completion rate, significantly higher than PayPal’s 78%. This reduces abandoned transactions and maximizes contributions.

Additionally, Stripe integrates with Salesforce, syncing donor data in under five minutes. This feature streamlines operations, allowing nonprofits to focus on their mission rather than administrative tasks.

By leveraging Stripe’s advanced tools, nonprofits can enhance donor trust, streamline transactions, and expand their global reach. Its robust features make it a reliable solution for organizations of all sizes.

iATS Payments: Tailored for Non-Profits

For over two decades, iATS Payments has been a trusted name in the nonprofit sector. Serving more than 16,000 organizations, this payment processor focuses on simplifying financial processes for nonprofits. Its integration with platforms like Blackbaud, DonorPerfect, and Neon CRM makes it a versatile choice for organizations of all sizes.

Credit Card and Direct Debit Processing

iATS Payments supports credit card and debit transactions, offering flexibility for donors. Credit card processing fees are competitive at 2.49% + $0.30 per transaction. For bank transfers, the fee drops to 1% + $0.25, making it a cost-effective option for recurring donations.

Direct debit is available in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, providing a seamless way for donors to contribute regularly. This feature is particularly useful for organizations relying on steady funding streams.

International Donation Limitations

While iATS Payments supports transactions in 40 countries, it has notable limitations. For example, it lacks SEPA support for EU donors and UPI integration for Indian donors. This can be a drawback for organizations with a global donor base.

In contrast, Karbon FX offers coverage in 100+ countries, including emerging markets. This makes it a more inclusive option for nonprofits operating internationally.

Despite its limitations, iATS Payments remains a reliable choice for nonprofits seeking a dedicated payment processor. Its focus on the nonprofit sector and robust integrations make it a valuable tool for organizations aiming to streamline their financial operations.

Venmo: Affordable Payment Processing

Venmo has become a go-to platform for organizations seeking affordable and user-friendly payment processing. Its appeal to younger donors, with 70% of users under 35, makes it a valuable tool for modern fundraising efforts. For nonprofits, Venmo offers a cost-effective way to manage transactions and engage donors.

Business and Charity Profiles

Venmo’s Charity Profiles provide a streamlined way for organizations to accept donations. To set up a Charity Profile, nonprofits must complete 501(c)(3) verification. This process ensures legitimacy and builds trust with donors.

Charity Profiles also allow organizations to share their mission and impact directly on the platform. This feature enhances donor engagement and encourages recurring contributions.

Low Transaction Fees

Venmo’s processing fees are highly competitive. The standard fee is 1.9% + $0.10 per transaction, while tap-to-pay costs 2.29%. In comparison, PayPal charges 2.89% for similar services, making Venmo a more affordable option.

Key advantages of Venmo’s fee structure include:

• Lower costs for nonprofits, maximizing funds for their cause.
• Transparent pricing with no hidden charges.
• Flexibility for donors to contribute using their preferred method.

However, Venmo has limitations. It does not support international sending or receiving capabilities. For nonprofits with global donors, pairing Venmo with Karbon FX can be a practical solution. Karbon FX offers USD-to-INR donations at just 1.2% FX fees, ensuring cost-effective cross-border transactions.

Personify Payments: Integrated Payment Processing

Streamlining financial operations is essential for organizations aiming to maximize efficiency. Personify Payments offers a robust payment processing solution tailored for nonprofits. Integrated with WildApricot, it provides a unified dashboard for over 50,000 organizations, simplifying financial management.

PCI Compliance and Security

Personify Payments ensures top-tier security with PCI Level 1 certification. This reduces compliance costs by 30% and safeguards donor information. “PCI compliance is not just a requirement; it’s a commitment to donor trust,” says a financial expert.

Transaction Fees and Integration

With a fee structure of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (3.5% for Amex), Personify Payments is competitive. While higher than Stripe, it’s more affordable than Authorize.Net’s $25 monthly fee. Auto-sync with QuickBooks cuts reconciliation time by 8 hours monthly, enhancing efficiency.

• Unified dashboard for seamless financial management.
• PCI Level 1 certification ensures top-tier security.
• Competitive transaction fees with auto-sync to QuickBooks.
• Exclusive to WildApricot subscribers, ensuring tailored solutions.

For organizations using Shopify, integrating with Karbon offers additional features like virtual accounts and bulk payouts, further enhancing financial operations.

Snowball Fundraising: Advanced Fundraising Tools

Snowball Fundraising offers advanced tools to help organizations maximize their fundraising potential. With features like text-to-give and virtual auctions, it provides a comprehensive platform for modern fundraising campaigns.

Text-to-Give and Auctions

Text-to-give is a powerful tool for engaging donors on the go. Snowball’s mobile-friendly options, including QR code donations, have increased event giving by 55%. This feature simplifies the donation process, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Virtual auctions are another standout feature. A case study highlights a school that raised $120,000 using Snowball’s auction tools. With a 4% platform fee, it’s a cost-effective way to host large-scale fundraising events.

Flexible Pricing Tiers

Snowball offers tiered pricing to suit different organizational needs. The free plan includes basic features with a 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee. For advanced needs, the $99/month premium plan includes CRM integration and additional tools.

Here’s a comparison of text-to-give fees across platforms:

For organizations handling multi-currency auction payments, pairing Snowball with Karbon FX ensures seamless conversions across 30+ currencies. This combination maximizes efficiency and reduces costs.

Snowball Fundraising is a versatile solution for organizations seeking to enhance their fundraising efforts. Its advanced tools and flexible pricing make it a top choice for modern campaigns.

Square: Secure Payment Processing

Square has become a trusted name for secure and efficient financial transactions. Its hardware and software solutions cater to both in-person and online donations, making it a versatile choice for organizations. With competitive processing fees and robust security features, Square simplifies financial operations for nonprofits.

In-Person and Online Donations

Square’s hardware solutions, like the $149 terminal with a 24-hour battery life, are ideal for in-person events. For online donations, its platform supports seamless integration with websites, ensuring a smooth donor experience. This flexibility allows organizations to accept contributions in various formats, from card payments to ach transfers.

Low Processing Fees

Square’s fee structure is competitive, with in-person transactions costing 2.6% + $0.10 and online transactions at 2.9%. While slightly higher than iATS Payments’ 2.49% for card-present transactions, Square’s comprehensive tools and ease of use justify the difference. Below is a comparison of fees:

Square’s PCI compliance tools also reduce audit preparation time by 15 hours, ensuring secure transactions. However, its multi-currency support is limited to USD, CAD, GBP, and EUR. For global events, pairing Square with Karbon FX can bridge this gap, offering seamless currency conversions in 100+ countries.

By leveraging Square’s secure and efficient tools, organizations can enhance donor trust and streamline financial operations. Its combination of hardware, software, and competitive fees makes it a reliable choice for modern fundraising efforts.

Authorize.Net: Trusted Payment Provider

Authorize.Net has established itself as a reliable option for organizations seeking secure and efficient financial tools. With features like the Customer Information Manager (CIM) and enterprise solutions, it caters to both small and large organizations.

Customer Information Manager

The CIM tool is a standout feature, enabling organizations to save donor payment methods securely. This has led to a 92% repeat donor conversion rate, as donors appreciate the convenience of not re-entering their details. For small nonprofits, however, the $300/month minimum cost can be a barrier.

Compared to Stripe’s no-monthly-fee model for organizations with less than $50k/year revenue, Authorize.Net’s pricing may seem steep. Yet, its advanced management tools and security features justify the investment for many.

Enterprise Solutions for Large Non-Profits

For larger organizations, Authorize.Net offers enterprise discounts for those processing over $500k/year. VIP pricing, at 1.8% + $0.25 per transaction, is available for high-profile organizations like the Red Cross. This makes it a cost-effective choice for scaling operations.

For bulk foreign exchange conversions, pairing Authorize.Net with Karbon FX can reduce costs to just 0.3% over interbank rates. This combination ensures seamless global account management.

By leveraging Authorize.Net’s advanced tools, organizations can enhance donor trust and streamline financial operations. Its focus on security and scalability makes it a trusted partner for organizations of all sizes.

Karbon FX: A Cost-Effective International Payment Solution

Managing donations across borders can be challenging for organizations aiming to expand their reach. High fees and complex processes often hinder their ability to maximize funds. Karbon FX offers a streamlined solution designed to simplify global transactions for nonprofits.

Low Fees and Competitive Exchange Rates

Karbon FX stands out with its transparent fee structure. Organizations pay just 0.5% FX margin plus a $10 flat fee per transfer. For example, a $10,000 donation costs only $60, compared to PayPal’s $440. This significant saving allows more funds to go directly to the cause.

Key benefits include:

• Real-time exchange rates updated every 15 minutes.
• Automated FATCA/CRS reporting for 90+ countries.
• Seamless integration with Salesforce and Netsuite in under three days.

Ease of Use for Non-Profits

Karbon FX simplifies payment processing with its user-friendly platform. A case study highlights an NGO saving $28,000 annually by switching from Western Union. Its API ensures quick setup, allowing organizations to focus on their mission rather than financial hurdles.

Additional features include:

• Multi-currency support for 100+ countries.
• PCI compliance to safeguard donor information.
• 24/7 customer support for uninterrupted operations.

By choosing Karbon FX, nonprofits can reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and expand their global impact. Its combination of low fees, robust compliance, and seamless integration makes it a top choice for modern organizations.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tools can significantly enhance fundraising efforts for organizations. Platforms like Givebutter offer all-in-one features, while Stripe excels in global reach. For cost-effective cross-border transactions, Karbon FX stands out, reducing costs by up to 70% across 100+ currencies.

Hybrid solutions, such as pairing Square with Karbon FX, ensure seamless global event management. When selecting a payment provider, prioritize PCI compliance, FX fees under 2%, and recurring billing options.

Ready to optimize your fundraising strategy? Schedule a demo with Karbon FX today for a custom savings analysis tailored to your needs.