Blackbaud Cover for online giving processing, can we adjust the rate?

In Raiser's Edge Online Giving, when using the "Complete Cover" option, where donors are given the option to cover credit card processing fees, what is the rate used to determine the suggested complete cover amount? Does my organization have any say in the suggested processing fee amount?

Comments

  • Dariel Dixon
    Dariel Dixon Community All-Star
    Seventh Anniversary Kudos 5 First Reply PowerUp Challenge #3 Gift Management

    @Jack Wagner I'm pretty sure you don't. There has been a lot of conversation about this here in the community, but Blackbaud defaults to the AMEX rate, which is the largest rate with no regard to the actual card used.

  • Austen Brown
    Austen Brown Community All-Star
    Ninth Anniversary Kudos 5 PowerUp Challenge: Product Update Briefing Feedback Task 3 bbcon 2025 Attendee Badge

    @Jack Wagner - I think you may be confusing “Donor Cover” with “Complete Cover”. “Donor Cover” is where donors have the option to cover fees (calculated from Amex rate) on a donation. “Complete Cover" is when the donor is presented with a % increase that goes directly to Blackbaud (similar to a tipping model).

  • @Austen Brown, thanks Austen. I meant to ask about Complete Cover but I may not have described it accurately. It sounds like the rate used is the Amex rate.

  • @Dariel Dixon, thanks for responding and for the information. Much appreciated.

  • Austen Brown
    Austen Brown Community All-Star
    Ninth Anniversary Kudos 5 PowerUp Challenge: Product Update Briefing Feedback Task 3 bbcon 2025 Attendee Badge

    @Jack Wagner - It seems like there is still some confusion, let's see if I can make my response a bit clearer.

    Donor Cover - Donor is presented with option to give a small additional donation, this is calculated from the Amex transaction fee rate. Example: donor wants to give $100, if they cover fees their total will be $103.94 – gross amount is 100% tax deductible.

    Complete Cover - Donor is presented with an option to ‘tip’ Blackbaud at a specific percentage (this is usually 9% or 10%, but can be higher). Example: donor wants to give $100, if they opt-in to the 9% tip their total would be $109.00 – only the $100 is tax deductible.

    In either scenario the org has no say in the ‘additional amount’ listing or calculation.

  • @Austen Brown, this helps. A user told me that her donors were paying 10% and I didn't see how that was possible. It is possible with a tip. Is the tip a suggestion? Can they tip whatever they want? It doesn't sound like they have the option to tip a different amount but I want to be sure. Thanks again for your help.

  • Austen Brown
    Austen Brown Community All-Star
    Ninth Anniversary Kudos 5 PowerUp Challenge: Product Update Briefing Feedback Task 3 bbcon 2025 Attendee Badge

    @Jack Wagner - It's preselected, the donor can only chose not to participate, by unselecting the box. The donor nor the org can change the % listed/amount applied to a donor's intended gift.

    856ca50109fb101127c7804d02feb5ff-huge-pi
    This is how it looks from the donor's perspective. (Intended donation amount $100)


  • Keith Wilson
    Keith Wilson Community All-Star
    Seventh Anniversary Kudos 5 Name Dropper Participant

    @Jack Wagner I will add for “Complete Cover” the tipping % may vary slightly depending on the size of the gift and drops off completely on donations $3000+ (org then pays normal processing fee). Another advantage some folks may not know for credit card gifts, if a donor were to complain about paying the additional tip (they didn't opt-out by unchecking the box) you have the ability to direct Blackbaud to refund the tip amount in BBMS and still retain their gift.

  • JoAnn Strommen
    JoAnn Strommen Community All-Star
    Tenth Anniversary Kudos 5 Raiser's Edge NXT Fall 2025 Product Update Briefing Badge First Reply

    @Keith Wilson Do you know regarding refunding, org receives the gift amount? Are fees not covered at all if full amount is refunded and org pays/payment reduced or is it partial refund of amount above actual fee? Refund transaction fee covered by BB?

  • Keith Wilson
    Keith Wilson Community All-Star
    Seventh Anniversary Kudos 5 Name Dropper Participant

    @JoAnn Strommen It is only for credit card gifts. They refund only the portion given to Blackbaud, Org keeps the gift and is not charged the transaction fee.

    269e2f55b4c442b3d4f81b27b70073e9-huge-im
    Refund Options on Complete Cover