Vertical Raise vs Zeffy: Fees, Features and Payouts Compared

Vertical Raise is a coached fundraising service that withholds a per-contract fee from donations, at a rate it does not publish. Zeffy is free, with team pages, tickets and a donor CRM in one account.

Zeffy is trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits

Vertical Raise

Zeffy

Zeffy VS Vertical Raise

Zeffy VS Vertical Raise: What nonprofits should know before choosing.

Vertical Raise

<div class="comparetable"><div class="div-block-440"><div id="pricing" class="tablerow is-header"><div class="column1 is-header"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f8c44be5e84b3fa1ec188e_pricing.svg" alt=""/><div class="comparecategorytitle">Pricing</div></div><div class="column2 is-header"><div class="stack"><p class="rich-text_table is-header">$</p><p class="rich-text_table is-header big-text">0</p></div><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt="Decorative" class="icon-1rem align-top"/><p class="rich-text_table is-header">Completely free. Always.<a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/free-online-fundraising-platform" target="_blank" class="rich-text_table is-header">But how? →</a></p></div></div><div class="column3 is-header"><div class="rich-text_table is-header"><div class="stack"><p class="rich-text_table is-header big-text">N/A</p></div><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="rich-text_table is-header">A service fee set per fundraiser by contract and withheld from donations. The rate is not published.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Processing fees</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="stack"><p class="rich-text_table">$</p><p class="rich-text_table big-text">0</p></div><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt="Decorative" class="icon-1rem align-top"/><p class="table_text">$0 in credit card and transaction fees. Zeffy covers these.<a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/free-online-fundraising-platform" target="_blank" class="table_text">How? →</a></p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="rich-text_table w-richtext" style="width:100%"><p class="rich-text_table big-text">N/A</p><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not published. When donors cover fees or add a tip, Vertical Raise keeps that money.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Service fee</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="stack"><p class="rich-text_table">$</p><p class="rich-text_table big-text">0</p></div><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt="Decorative" class="icon-1rem align-top"/><p class="table_text">Zeffy never takes a cut. You keep 100% of every donation.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="rich-text_table w-richtext" style="width:100%"><p class="rich-text_table big-text">N/A</p><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">A percentage of net donations, agreed in your contract. The rate is not published.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Monthly fees</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="stack"><p class="rich-text_table">$</p><p class="rich-text_table big-text">0/month</p></div><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt="Decorative" class="icon-1rem align-top"/><p class="table_text">No subscriptions, no paywalls. Every org, big or small, gets full access for free.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="rich-text_table w-richtext" style="width:100%"><p class="rich-text_table big-text">N/A</p><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Other fees</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="stack"><p class="rich-text_table">$</p><p class="rich-text_table big-text">0</p></div><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt="Decorative" class="icon-1rem align-top"/><p class="table_text">We've never charged a single cent to nonprofits and we never will.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">If a fundraiser raises less than $150, Vertical Raise may keep all of it.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text"><strong>What it means</strong></div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text"><strong>Zeffy has no service fee to negotiate and no rate to keep secret. Every gift to your team reaches its account in full.</strong></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text"><strong>Vertical Raise withholds a percentage fee agreed in your contract. The rate is not published. Fees and tips donors add also go to Vertical Raise.</strong></p></div></div><div class="tablerow endrow"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Sources</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/free-online-fundraising-platform" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">How Zeffy is free</a></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Terms and conditions</a></p></div></div></div></div>

<div class="comparetable"><div class="div-block-440"><div id="features" class="tablerow is-header"><div class="column1 is-header"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f8d5b26894c6e329782874_Features.svg" alt=""><div class="comparecategorytitle">Team & school campaigns</div></div><div class="column2 is-header"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt="Decorative" class="icon-1rem align-top"><p class="rich-text_table is-header">Team pages, goals and leaderboards for every group, all year, at no cost.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-header"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="rich-text_table is-header">Coach-led campaigns with an end date, run with a local Vertical Raise rep.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Participant pages</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Each player or student gets a page with their own goal, story and photo.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">A page per participant, with a parent share feature for younger students.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Inviting supporters</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Participants share their page link by email, text or social media.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">An invite wizard for email, text and social, and an importer for 20+ email address books.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Team progress</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">A leaderboard of fundraisers and teams that you can embed on your website.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">A group summary page with shares, supporters and total raised.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Fundraising coach</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">No coach. Help comes by chat or email, and a call when you ask.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">A personal fundraising director, and reps on site.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Product fundraisers</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">No popcorn or discount-card programs. Your own merch sells in a free online store.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Popcorn, a digital discount card and a spirit wear shop.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Employer matching</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">No employer match lookup.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Donors look up their employer's matching rules.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Business sponsors</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">No sponsor module. A local business can give through any donation form.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Local businesses donate to get their logo on the fundraiser pages.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Cash & checks</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Log cash and checks on a participant's page so their total stays right.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Mail-a-check, and photo upload of checks by participants.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Getting the money</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Paid to your bank every Monday or monthly, with no payout fee.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">A check mailed within two days of the end, or a nightly direct deposit.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text"><strong>What it means</strong></div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text"><strong>Zeffy gives each player a page and a leaderboard for free, without a coach or a product program: your team runs the drive itself.</strong></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text"><strong>Vertical Raise brings a coach, product fundraisers and sponsor logos. Its service fee, withheld from donations, pays for that work.</strong></p></div></div><div class="tablerow endrow"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Sources</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/product-peer-to-peer-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Peer-to-peer</a> · <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/online-store-for-nonprofits" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Store</a></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/why-vertical-raise" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Why Vertical Raise</a> · <a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/fundraising/direct-donation" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Direct donation</a> · <a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/fundraiser-types" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Fundraiser types</a> · <a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Terms</a></p></div></div></div></div>

<div class="comparetable"><div class="div-block-440"><div id="features" class="tablerow is-header"><div class="column1 is-header"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f8d5b26894c6e329782874_Features.svg" alt=""><div class="comparecategorytitle">All-in-one fundraising</div></div><div class="column2 is-header"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt="Decorative" class="icon-1rem align-top"><p class="rich-text_table is-header">Donations, events and a donor list that keep going after the campaign ends.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-header"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="rich-text_table is-header">Built around the campaign. Most year-round tools are not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Recurring donations</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Monthly, quarterly or yearly giving on any donation form.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Ticketing</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Tickets, group tables and QR check-in, with no per-ticket fee.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/6847fc3744e2f936942fe4bf_warning-icon.svg" alt="" width="16" height="16"/><p class="table_text">Through BigTeams, a partner. Its tools, ticketing included, come free to athletic departments fundraising with Vertical Raise.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Raffles</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Where your state allows raffles: numbered e-tickets and bundles.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Sweepstakes</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">A drawing with a free way to enter, open in every US state.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Auctions</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Silent auctions on a timer, with auto-bid.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Memberships</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Member tiers with automatic renewals and digital cards.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Donor CRM</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Every gift, ticket and order lands on the supporter's record, free.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned. The dashboard tracks emails sent, shares and dollars raised.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Newsletters</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Email saved lists of supporters and see who opened and gave.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Tax receipts</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Sent automatically with each gift.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text"><strong>What it means</strong></div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text"><strong>When the campaign closes, Zeffy keeps running: monthly gifts, tickets, drawings and a donor list your team owns.</strong></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text"><strong>Vertical Raise runs the campaign window. Recurring gifts, memberships and a donor CRM are not on its site; ticketing comes through a partner.</strong></p></div></div><div class="tablerow endrow"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Sources</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/online-donation-platform-nonprofits" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Donations</a> · <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/ticketing-system-fundraising-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Ticketing</a> · <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/online-raffle-nonprofit" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Raffles</a> · <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/blog/sweepstakes-vs-raffle" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Sweepstakes</a> · <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/membership-application-form-nonprofits-associations" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Memberships</a> · <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/donor-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Donor CRM</a></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/bigteams" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">BigTeams</a> · <a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/fundraising/direct-donation" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Direct donation</a></p></div></div></div></div>

<div class="comparetable"><div class="div-block-440"><div id="payments" class="tablerow is-header"><div class="column1 is-header"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f8de3026f5d3875f3329a3_BigIcons.svg" alt=""><div class="comparecategorytitle">Payment Methods</div></div><div class="column2 is-header"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="rich-text_table is-header">Cards, wallets, bank transfer and Tap to Pay, with no fee on any of them.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-header"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="rich-text_table is-header">Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and checks. Who pays processing is not published.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Cards</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">No processing fee on any card.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Accepted. If the donor covers the fees, Vertical Raise keeps that amount.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Apple Pay & Google Pay</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Accepted on donation forms, tickets and the store.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Accepted.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Checks</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Record checks you receive by hand. Checks through a form above $1,000.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Mailed checks, and checks uploaded from a participant's phone.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">ACH / bank transfer</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Free in the US.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">In person</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Tap to Pay on a phone, with no reader.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">QR codes for door-to-door product sales.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Donor-advised funds</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">US gifts of $1,000 or more, with no fees.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text"><strong>What it means</strong></div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text"><strong>On Zeffy, cards, wallets and bank transfers cost your team nothing, and each payout carries no fee.</strong></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text"><strong>Vertical Raise takes cards, wallets and checks. Processing paid by the donor goes to Vertical Raise; who pays it otherwise is not published.</strong></p></div></div><div class="tablerow endrow"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Sources</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/feature/payment-processing" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Payment processing</a> · <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/tap-to-pay" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Tap to Pay</a></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/why-vertical-raise" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Why Vertical Raise</a> · <a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Terms</a> · <a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/fundraising/pop-paradise" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Popcorn fundraiser</a></p></div></div></div></div>

<div class="comparetable"><div class="div-block-440"><div id="support" class="tablerow is-header"><div class="column1 is-header"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f8c44be5e84b3fa1ec188e_support.svg" alt=""><div class="comparecategorytitle">Support</div></div><div class="column2 is-header"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt="Decorative" class="icon-1rem align-top"><p class="rich-text_table is-header">Chat, email and calls on request, free for every team.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-header"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="rich-text_table is-header">A fundraising coach for each campaign, plus email and a phone number.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Help center</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">500+ articles.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Chat</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">An AI assistant first, then a person when needed.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">Not publicly mentioned.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Email</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">Answered within 2 to 6 business hours.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">support@verticalraise.com and a contact form.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Phone</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/686433f81dd99f7d4de5259b_Check.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">No phone line. A call is set up on request.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">888-853-0355.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Campaign coach</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><div class="table_icon-text-content"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/68f88305e139b495704e4273_Close.svg" alt=""><p class="table_text">No coach.</p></div></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><div class="table_icon-text-content" style="justify-content:flex-start;text-align:left;width:100%"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60af7f6d21134db12548f5b9/688244e8c87679558de97ca0_check.svg" alt=""/><p class="table_text">A local rep works with your group.</p></div></div></div><div class="tablerow is-white"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text"><strong>What it means</strong></div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text"><strong>Zeffy support is free at any size, by chat or email, with a call when you need one. You set up and run campaigns yourself.</strong></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text"><strong>Vertical Raise pairs each group with a coach and reps on site. Email and a phone number are listed for support.</strong></p></div></div><div class="tablerow endrow"><div class="column1 is-compare"><div class="left-column_text">Sources</div></div><div class="column2 is-compare is-green"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/home/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Contact</a></p></div><div class="column3 is-compare"><p class="table_text" style="font-size:12px;line-height:1.5;opacity:0.75"><a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Contact us</a> · <a href="https://www.verticalraise.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline">Terms</a></p></div></div></div></div>

Zeffy is 100% free, always.

Calculate savings

How is Zeffy free?

Why Zeffy over Vertical Raise?

Why Zeffy over Zeffy and Vertical Raise?

Keep the whole gift, all season long

💵

Every dollar reaches the team

Vertical Raise withholds a service fee from each donation, at a rate it does not publish. Zeffy charges your team nothing, so the full gift reaches its account.

📅

After the campaign ends

A Vertical Raise drive has an end date. Zeffy keeps your team's pages, donation forms, tickets and supporter list open all year, at no cost.

🧢

When you want a coach

Vertical Raise sends a fundraising coach and runs popcorn, discount card and spirit wear programs. Zeffy has none of these. Your team leads its own drive, for free.

Questions nonprofits ask when choosing between Zeffy and Vertical Raise

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Vertical Raise and Zeffy?

For a school team, Zeffy is one free account with a donor CRM built in. It gives your team participant pages, donation forms, tickets, raffles or sweepstakes and a store, and every gift reaches you in full. Vertical Raise is a coached fundraising service for school teams and groups. A local rep sets up a campaign with an end date, and Vertical Raise withholds a service fee from the donations. The rate is set in your contract and is not published.

How much does Vertical Raise keep?

Vertical Raise does not publish its fee. Its terms and conditions say:

The service fee depends on the type of fundraiser and the services provided, and is agreed in your contract before the fundraiser starts.
It is withheld from the donations, calculated on the net donation amount.
The fee schedule is confidential: "Under no circumstances shall the User/Client disclose, publish, or otherwise communicate the Vertical Raise fee schedule to any third party."
When donors cover transaction fees or leave a tip at checkout, Vertical Raise keeps all of it.
If a fundraiser raises less than $150, Vertical Raise may keep everything collected.

On Zeffy, there is no service fee: your team receives every dollar donated. See how Zeffy is free. Source: Vertical Raise terms and conditions, October 2026.

Who pays the card fees on a Vertical Raise fundraiser?

Donors can choose to cover transaction fees at checkout, and that money goes to Vertical Raise, not to your team. Vertical Raise does not publish who pays card processing when the donor does not cover it. On Zeffy, card processing costs your team nothing on any gift.

What happens if a Vertical Raise fundraiser raises less than $150?

Vertical Raise's terms let it keep 100% of the funds collected, to cover the cost of setting up and launching the fundraiser. On Zeffy, a small drive works like a large one: whatever your team raises is paid to its bank account.

How does a Vertical Raise fundraiser work?

A fundraising director from Vertical Raise sets up the campaign with your group. Participants invite supporters by email, text and social media, and a dashboard tracks emails sent, shares and dollars raised. Groups can add popcorn sales, a digital discount card or a spirit wear shop. When the campaign ends, Vertical Raise mails a check within two days or deposits funds nightly, after withholding its service fee.

What does Vertical Raise offer that Zeffy doesn't?

A fundraising coach and reps on site, product fundraisers (popcorn, a digital discount card, spirit wear), an employer match lookup for donors, and sponsor logos for local businesses. Through its BigTeams partnership, athletic departments also get team management and scheduling. Zeffy has no coach, product program, employer match lookup or sponsor module today.

Is Zeffy really free?

Yes, for school teams and groups too. Zeffy has no service fee, no contract and no card fee. Supporters may add an optional contribution to Zeffy when they give, and it never reduces your team's gift. See how Zeffy is free.

What is the difference between Vertical Raise and Zeffy?

How much does Vertical Raise keep?

Vertical Raise does not publish its fee. Its terms and conditions say:

The service fee depends on the type of fundraiser and the services provided, and is agreed in your contract before the fundraiser starts.
It is withheld from the donations, calculated on the net donation amount.
The fee schedule is confidential: "Under no circumstances shall the User/Client disclose, publish, or otherwise communicate the Vertical Raise fee schedule to any third party."
When donors cover transaction fees or leave a tip at checkout, Vertical Raise keeps all of it.
If a fundraiser raises less than $150, Vertical Raise may keep everything collected.

On Zeffy, there is no service fee: your team receives every dollar donated. See how Zeffy is free. Source: Vertical Raise terms and conditions, October 2026.

Who pays the card fees on a Vertical Raise fundraiser?

What happens if a Vertical Raise fundraiser raises less than $150?

How does a Vertical Raise fundraiser work?

What does Vertical Raise offer that Zeffy doesn't?

Is Zeffy really free?

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Built for small teams with big missions.

Zeffy is the fundraising platform that cuts out the fees, clears up your tech mess, and puts your cause first — so your team, even if you're a small team wearing many hats or a one-person show, can focus on what really matters.

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No platform fees. No processing fees. No catch. We know it sounds too good to be true, but it's not. Every penny goes straight to your mission, while competitors take 2-3% off every donation.

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Stop bouncing between MailChimp, Eventbrite, and all those spreadsheets. Now you can handle donations, ticket sales, memberships, raffles, and all your donor info in one spot.

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Built for teams like yours — whether you're volunteer-led or have limited staff. Set up donation forms, sell tickets, and launch campaigns without needing a tech wizard. It's super easy, and you'll be up and running in minutes.

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100,000+ nonprofits trust Zeffy — and keep their fees at $0.

For 7+ years, Zeffy has supported nonprofits with free, user-friendly fundraising tools.

As a startup nonprofit with only two members, and no funding (yet) we’d need something with low (or no) fees. Zeffy was a dream come true.

Masey, Loose Ends.

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“We were incurring a ton of fees for our past fundraising platform and Zeffy has helped us receive so much more of our donations.”

Zeffy has been invaluable in helping me track our donors, sales, events, and revenue in one spot. The coolest thing about Zeffy is it really is free!

Everything about Zeffy suits us starting with (of course, NO fees) but also the ease of use and customer experience as well as their client support!!

Zeffy is very easy to use and ensures that every dollar quickly gets into our account.. A huge help to our work!

Zeffy is very simple, allows for a lot of customization and seamlessly integrates into our website. The fact that all of this is free is still wild to me.

We couldn't believe there was a free payment platform for our Girl Scout group. Zeffy took ZERO fees from us, which is huge when you run on very small amounts of money.

We were ready to sell tickets in less than 30 minutes. The reporting capabilities were better than some other paid-for sites.

Since using Zeffy, our conversion rate of donations has skyrocketed. It's an easy platform to use. Plus customer support has always been responsive and helpful!