The Hidden Tax on Non-Profits: Ticketing Fees
If you’ve planned events for a non-profit, you know this story. You sell 200 tickets at $20 each and assume you’ll raise $4,000. But then the platform takes 7%. Suddenly, you’re down $280 — not counting credit card fees. That’s a new community program or supplies for your volunteers wiped out by fees.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Platforms like Eventbrite or Ticketmaster charge anywhere from 5-10% per ticket in platform fees. For small non-profits, that’s a huge deal. Every dollar counts when you’re trying to stretch limited budgets.
The Case for Zero Platform Fees
This is why zero platform fees matter so much. With a platform like CommunityTix, you keep 100% of your ticket revenue. That $4,000? It’s yours to reinvest in your programs. The only cost is PayPal’s standard processing fee (around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction).
You might be thinking, "Is it really that simple?" Yes. CommunityTix is funded through optional donations and grants, not by skimming from your ticket sales. That’s a game-changer for grassroots organizations.
Real Numbers, Real Impact
Let’s crunch some numbers. Say you’re a community theatre group hosting an annual play. You sell 300 tickets at $25 each, raising $7,500. Here’s what happens:
- With Eventbrite (7% fee): You lose $525 in platform fees. Add credit card fees, and your take-home might drop to $6,800 or less.
- With CommunityTix (0% platform fee): You keep the full $7,500 (minus PayPal processing). That’s $525 saved — enough to fund costumes, scripts, or marketing materials.
See the difference? For organizations running multiple events a year, the savings add up fast.
Why It’s Not Just About Money
Zero platform fees aren’t just about saving cash (though that’s huge). They also mean more control. You’re not locked into a platform that profits off your work. CommunityTix is open-source, so you own your data and can customize the platform to fit your needs.
It’s also designed for non-technical users. You don’t need a full-time IT person or designer to set up events, manage RSVPs, or track ticket sales. The platform is mobile-friendly and dead simple to use.
What’s the Catch?
You’re probably wondering, "What’s the downside?" Honestly, there isn’t much. The main limitation is that CommunityTix integrates only with PayPal for online payments. If you need advanced payment options like Stripe or Apple Pay, it might not be the right fit. But for most non-profits, PayPal gets the job done.
And if your audience prefers on-site cash or card payments, CommunityTix has you covered with built-in tools for tracking cash collections and card-at-door transactions.
How to Start Saving
Switching to a zero-fee platform like CommunityTix is easy. There’s no long-term contract or hidden fees. Start with a free trial to see how it fits your needs.
Affordable event ticketing doesn’t have to come with compromises. With CommunityTix, you get the tools you need without sacrificing your hard-earned revenue. Isn’t that how it should be?
