ConnectionPoint platform costs depend on which of the pricing models you choose.
*NEW DECEMBER 2023: Pricing model names have been updated! Characteristics are the same, only the names have changed.
Simply Free = Optional Tips
Nearly Free = Fee Recovery
Not Free = Flat Rate
Understanding the differences between pricing models can be confusing. However, it’s important to clearly understand the different pricing models to make informed decisions.
Important notes regarding CoCoPay: These models do not apply to CoCoPay Professional. Please get in touch with us at cs@connectionpoint.com to inquire about these pricing packages.
Optional Tips #
TLDR: 0% platform fee; supporters asked for an optional top-up to help keep our platforms running.
You may use the platform and its features* with NO CHARGE from ConnectionPoint. Ever. You WILL still have payment processing fees from Stripe and/or PayPal. ConnectionPoint does not touch the funds at all; that is a service provided entirely by one of these providers. You will pay this at whatever rate you pay with the provider at the time of contribution – including if it’s a discounted nonprofit rate.
ConnectionPoint will then ask your supporters for an optional top-up to their contribution, paid to us, in an effort to keep our platforms operational (with an uptime of over 99.9%, if we may boast for a moment) and allow us to keep this free option to campaign owners. This allows us to keep the cost of collaborative funding as low as possible. And we don’t make it challenging for your supporter to say no – it’s a simple, obvious click to opt-out.
Scenario
I am your supporter (Hello! Happy to help!) and contribute $50 to your campaign. During checkout, I was asked if I would support ConnectionPoint’s work so they can continue to run their platforms for free to their users. I say sure, count me in, and add $6, so my final total is $56.
Now, you have a Stripe rate of 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction for the intended donation only (not the added tip). That is $1.75 that Stripe will take off the contribution, leaving you to see $48.25 in your account. ConnectionPoint receives the $6.
Alternatively…
I say no, I want to pay my contribution; thank you. You still will receive $48.25 in your Stripe account, Stripe will receive their $1.75, and ConnectionPoint is happy your campaign is another step closer to success!
*Yes, there is one teeny-tiny caveat with this model. It is for recurring contributions (which are not available for all platforms). If we were to ask a supporter to please also contribute to our platform every month… well… even we admit we’d be miffed. So, their recurring contributions (and only their recurring contributions) will be switched to the Fee Recovery model, where they will be asked – once – if they would like to pay the fees each time the contribution is made. See this model’s details below for more information.
Fee Recovery #
TLDR: Supporters can optionally cover the payment processing fee (from Stripe and/or PayPal) and ConnectionPoint’s platform fee. You still pay them if the supporter opts out.
This is our fee-recuperation model, where you pay your payment processing fees – which depend on your Stripe and/or PayPal rate – and a 5% ConnectionPoint fee. However, instead of asking for a tip, we ask supporters to optionally pay ALL the fees (both ConnectionPoint’s and the payment processing fees) for you.
Scenario #
I am your supporter (Hi, again!) and choose to contribute $50 toward your campaign. The fees for my contribution are 5% for ConnectionPoint ($2.50) and 2.9% plus 30 cents for Stripe ($1.75), totalling $4.25.
I’m asked if I would like to add $4.25 to my contribution to cover the processing fees and maximize the impact of my support.
I say yes! I pay $54.25, with my full intended donation of $50 going to your account, $2.50 to ConnectionPoint, and $1.75 to Stripe.
Alternatively, I say no, thank you, I wish only to pay my intended $50. Now, $2.50 still goes to ConnectionPoint, $1.75 still goes to Stripe, and your account receives $45.75.
Across all ConnectionPoint platforms, we see an average of 90% of supporters covering fees. You can see your ‘effective fee rate’ in your campaign’s Analytics tab, and if this number is lower than your payment processing rate, you are doing better than you would be on our Optional Tip model!
Flat Rate #
TLDR: Industry-standard pricing; you pay your payment processing fee and a 5% platform fee. Supporters are asked for nothing more than their contribution.
With this model, ConnectionPoint will apply the 5% platform fee, and we will not ask any more from your supporters outside of their donation. This fee, plus the payment processing fee, will be deducted from the contribution, and you will receive the remainder.
Scenario
I am your supporter (Fancy meeting you here again!) and choose to contribute $50 to your campaign. I check out, pay my $50, and go on merrily with my day on my endorphin high from supporting somebody extraordinary.
In your account, you will receive $45.75: $2.50 has gone to ConnectionPoint, and (assuming the standard North American Stripe rate of 2.9% plus 30 cents) $1.75 has gone to Stripe. And that’s that.
Other important and helpful information #
- In all of these scenarios, we assume there are no added credit card fees (for example, international payment fees) or currency conversions.
- Whichever of these pricing models you choose is entirely up to you. Choose what works best for YOU and your campaign.
- You CAN change your mind! Even in the middle of a campaign. Click here to see how.
