Why does my donation amount change when I proceed to payment? 

When you select your donation amount (e.g., $500) on the donation page, you may notice that the total amount increases slightly before you click “Submit.” This happens due to the Complete Cover™ option, which allows Blackbaud to cover the transaction fees for donations up to $3,000. 

What is the additional amount for?  

The additional amount reflects an optional contribution to Blackbaud’s service fees. This is an opt-in donation to Blackbaud, which is not required for your donation to reach The Nature Trust BC. 

How can I keep my donation at the amount I selected? 

To keep your donation at the original amount (e.g., $500), simply untick the box that reads: 

“This platform is powered by Blackbaud at a reduced cost to us. Contribute 10% to them to continue this support.” 

By unticking this box, your donation will return to the original amount you intended. Rest assured, Blackbaud will still cover transaction fees for donations up to $3,000, so there is no need to worry about fees affecting your donation amount. 

Do I need to contribute to Blackbaud’s service fees? 

No, you are not required to contribute to Blackbaud’s fees. The option to contribute is completely voluntary. Whether you leave it ticked, or untick the contribution box, your full donation amount will go directly to The Nature Trust BC. 

Larger Donations and Transaction Fees 

For credit card donations of $3,000 and above, transaction fees will still apply. These fees cover the costs of processing credit card transactions, which vary depending on the payment method: 

  • Visa and MasterCard: 2.79% + $0.30 per transaction (CAD) 
  • American Express: 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction (CAD) 

Here’s a breakdown of the fees for $3,000 and $10,000 donations: 

Donation Amount  Visa/MasterCard Fee (2.79%)  American Express Fee (3.5%) 
$3,000  $83.67 + $0.30 = $83.97  $105.00 + $0.30 = $105.30 
$10,000  $279.00 + $0.30 = $279.30  $350.00 + $0.30 = $350.30 

These fees reflect some of the lowest available transaction rates for online credit card payments that we could find and are often significantly lower than fees charged by other platforms. 

Comparison: Blackbaud vs Canada Helps 

We understand that transaction fees are a concern, so we’ve worked hard to ensure we’re offering you a better solution. Here’s how Blackbaud’s fee structure compares to our previous point-of-donation vendor, Canada Helps: 

  • Canada Helps charges 4% per transaction, regardless of the amount. This means that for a $3,000 donation, the fee would be $120 and for a $10,000 donation, the fee would be $400. Any donation under $3,000 would be subject to the same 4% fee, though it is either the responsibility of the donor, or the charity to pay that amount. For every donation of $125, we either receive $120, or you have to pay an extra $5 so that we can see the full gift amount. 

In contrast, Blackbaud’s Complete Cover™ option allows us to cover all transaction fees for donations under $3,000. For larger gifts, you’ll see a lower fee rate compared to Canada Helps. Here’s the key difference: 

  • Canada Helps fees are higher at 4% across the board, meaning $120 for a $3,000 donation and $400 for $10,000. 
  • Blackbaud fees for Visa/MasterCard are 2.79% (lower fees), meaning $83.97 for $3,000 and $279.30 for $10,000. 

This 4% fee charged by Canada Helps applies to all gifts, regardless of the amount. Blackbaud’s Complete Cover™ option helps avoid fees for donations up to $3,000, and donors can deselect the fee contribution box to avoid any extra charges altogether. 

Donating by Cheque to Avoid Transaction Fees 

For those wanting to make donations of $3,000 or more with a credit card, you have the option of avoiding transaction fees entirely by sending a cheque directly to our office: 

Send to: 500-888 Dunsmuir Street 

Vancouver, BC V6C 3K4 

Make the cheque payable to: The Nature Trust of BC 

Please include a note with your gift or drop it off in person Monday – Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM— we love to meet the amazing people who support conservation in BC! 

What if I phone in to the main office at 604-924-9771 to make my credit card donation? 

We are happy to process your credit card donation over the phone though fees may still apply in the same ways described above. Depending on the amount of your gift, we may be able to offer you options for fee coverage. Generally, a credit card gift of $1 to $2,999 can be covered, for anything $3,000+ a fee will likely be involved. 

Why is this important for The Nature Trust BC? \

Transaction fees are a challenge for all charities, and we are no exception. By using Blackbaud’s Complete Cover™, we can reduce the burden of fees on smaller donations. For larger donations, we aim to keep the fees as low as possible to maximize the impact of your generosity. We’re committed to finding solutions that make every dollar count toward protecting BC’s precious ecosystems. 

Transparency is important to us, and we want you to understand exactly how your donation is being used. We value your support and are grateful for your contribution toward a better future for BC’s wildlife and natural spaces.