Stop Losing Money to Ticketing Fees
Most non-profits don’t realize how much they’re bleeding in platform fees until it’s too late. Eventbrite, Ticketmaster, and similar platforms charge anywhere from 5-10% per ticket. For a small community group hosting 10 events a year with 100 attendees per event, that adds up fast. Let’s do the math: if your average ticket costs $25, you’re handing over $1,250 annually—just in fees.
That’s brutal. Especially when budgets are already tight.
But what’s the alternative? Spreadsheets and email chains? Not ideal. Platforms like CommunityTix are changing the game by charging zero platform fees. Yes, zero. You only pay PayPal’s standard processing fees, which are non-negotiable across the board.
Let’s put that into perspective. If you’re saving $1,250 a year, that’s money you can reinvest in scholarships, maintenance, or even just better snacks at your events. Small changes like this make a big difference over time.
The Hidden Costs of High Fees
You might be thinking, "But we’ve always used Eventbrite. It’s just easier." Sure, it’s familiar, but familiarity comes at a cost. Those platform fees don’t just hurt your bottom line—they also hurt your relationship with your audience.
Here’s how:
- Higher Ticket Prices: To cover platform fees, most groups bump up ticket prices. For example, if your event ticket initially costs $25, you might raise it to $30 to offset fees. This makes your events less accessible, especially for lower-income attendees.
- Donor Fatigue: When attendees see a $25 ticket balloon to $30 after fees, it leaves a bad taste. That’s $5 they could’ve donated directly to your cause instead of covering administrative costs.
- Eroded Trust: People want transparency. Hidden fees make your event look less honest—even if you’re not the one pocketing the extra. This can quietly damage your reputation over time.
Take a real-world example: A community arts nonprofit in Ohio hosted a film festival with 500 attendees. Using Eventbrite, they lost $2,000 in platform fees. Attendees complained about the inflated ticket prices, and some even opted out of donating additional funds, citing frustration with fees. Switching to CommunityTix saved them those fees the following year, allowing them to reinvest in better projection equipment and broader outreach.
CommunityTix solves this by eliminating platform fees entirely. The price you set is the price attendees pay. Simple.
Real Savings, Real Impact
Let’s look at another real-world scenario. Say you’re running a small cultural association hosting a festival with 300 attendees. Tickets are $50 each. On a platform like Eventbrite, you’d lose around $1,500 to fees for this one event. With CommunityTix? You’d keep all $15,000 (minus PayPal’s cut).
That $1,500 could fund:
- Live Performers: Hire more diverse artists to expand your programming.
- Better Marketing: Reach new audiences through targeted social media ads.
- Contingency Funds: Ensure you’re prepared for unexpected costs next year.
It’s not just about saving money—it’s about putting that money back into your mission.
This kind of impact compounds over time. Imagine saving $1,500 every quarter for four events. By year-end, you’d have an extra $6,000. That’s enough to launch a new program, hire part-time staff, or offer free tickets to underserved communities.
What About PayPal Fees?
You might be wondering, "What’s the catch?" There isn’t one. PayPal fees are unavoidable; they’re the cost of secure online transactions. But here’s the thing: every platform you’ve used—Eventbrite, Ticketmaster, or others—still charges these same PayPal fees on top of their platform fees. CommunityTix doesn’t add anything extra.
To break it down, PayPal fees for nonprofits are typically around 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction. On a $50 ticket, that’s $1.40 in fees. Compare that to Eventbrite’s platform fee of $2.50 per ticket on top of PayPal’s processing fee, and the savings quickly add up.
For most non-profits, that’s the difference between breaking even and turning a profit.
Why Open Source Matters
Another reason CommunityTix stands out? It’s open-source. You own your data, your branding, and your processes. No vendor lock-in. No black-box algorithms deciding what you can and can’t do.
This is especially critical for small volunteer-run groups. Many can’t afford to lose control over their attendee lists or event pages. With CommunityTix, everything stays in your hands. Need to switch platforms later? Export your data and move on. No drama.
Here’s a comparison:
| Feature | Eventbrite | CommunityTix |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fees | 5-10% per ticket | $0 |
| PayPal Processing Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Data Ownership | Limited | Full Ownership |
| Open-Source Platform | No | Yes |
| Custom Branding | Limited | Complete Control |
For organizations that value transparency and independence, the choice is clear.
The Pay What You Can Model
Another game-changer? Flexible pricing. CommunityTix offers a built-in Pay What You Can (PWYC) option with suggested amounts. This is a lifesaver for equity-focused events. For example, if you’re hosting a community dinner, you can suggest $10, $20, or $30 while letting people enter their own amount.
This model not only increases accessibility but often boosts revenue. Why? People who can afford more tend to pay more. And those who can’t still get to participate. Win-win.
Take the example of a local environmental group in California that adopted PWYC pricing for its annual fundraiser. The average donation per attendee increased from $20 to $27 after implementing PWYC. Attendees appreciated the flexibility and transparency, leading to higher satisfaction and engagement.
Isn’t Switching Platforms a Hassle?
It’s not as bad as you think. CommunityTix is designed for non-technical users. Setting up your first event takes less than 10 minutes. Plus, their support team is available if you hit a snag. And since it’s free to try, there’s no risk in giving it a shot.
If you’re already using a platform like Eventbrite, migrating your attendee lists is straightforward. You’ll spend an hour or two upfront but save thousands long-term. Seems worth it, doesn’t it?
FAQ
1. What’s the catch?
There isn’t one. CommunityTix is open-source and charges zero platform fees. You only pay PayPal’s processing fees, which are standard across the industry.
2. How does Pay What You Can pricing work?
You can set up to three suggested price points and allow attendees to enter a custom amount. This model increases accessibility and can often lead to higher overall revenue.
3. Can I use CommunityTix for free events?
Absolutely. CommunityTix supports RSVP-only events with capacity tracking and automatic confirmation emails.
4. Is this platform secure?
Yes. Payments are processed securely through PayPal’s Orders API, and all data is stored and handled responsibly.
5. Do I need technical skills to use CommunityTix?
Nope. The platform is designed for non-technical users. If you can create a Facebook event, you can use CommunityTix.
If you’re ready to stop overpaying for ticketing, it’s time to make the switch. Get started free →
