Fee Coverage FAQs

What is fee coverage?

Fee coverage helps your organization reduce or eliminate processing fees for online donations and registrations, so more of each gift supports your mission.

When enabled, donors can choose to cover fees during checkout. You can select from these models:

  • Donor Cover – Donors pay the fee in addition to their gift. If they opt out, your organization pays.

  • Complete Cover™ – Blackbaud pays all processing fees for eligible transactions, regardless of donor choice.

You can enable fee coverage on donation, registration, and event forms in Luminate Online.

Note: Supported for Donations Classic and eCommerce coming in 2026.)

Why use fee coverage?

  • Reduce or eliminate processing fees.

  • Maximize the impact of every donation.

  • Give donors the option to help cover costs.

What fee coverage options are available?

  • Complete Cover™ – Blackbaud pays all processing fees.

  • Donor Cover – Donors pay fees if they opt in; otherwise, your organization pays.

  • No Fee Coverage – Your organization pays all fees.

  • Cover Plus (Coming in 2026) – Donors pay fees if they opt in; your organization sets the fee amount.

Learn more about Complete Cover and Donor Cover

Save Money with Fee Coverage

How are Complete Cover and Donor Cover different?

  • Donor Cover – Donors can opt in to cover fees. If they decline, your organization pays.

  • Complete Cover™ – Blackbaud covers all fees for eligible transactions, even if donors opt out.

What does fee cover look like in checkout?

Screens may vary due to A/B testing:

Complete Cover Example:

Complete Cover ask on a donation form

Donor Cover Example:

Donor Cover ask on a donation form

How do I enable fee coverage?

Enable fee coverage on each form or event during setup. Options include:

  • Complete Cover™ (Blackbaud pays)

  • Donor Cover (Donor pays)

  • No Fee Coverage (Organization pays – default)

Fee cover options on a form

See: Enable Fee Cover on a Donation Form

Why is the fee cover information not updating as I fill it in?

When using the embedded checkout element on a donation form, the correct fee coverage amount or type will be updated once all required fields are entered.

How can I track fee cover savings?

Reports show:

  • How many donors opted to cover fees.

  • Total savings from fee coverage.

See: Fee Cover Reports

Can Donors Cover fees on recurring gifts?

Yes, but note:

  • Complete Cover™ does not support recurring gifts directly.

  • If a recurring gift is selected, the system switches to Donor Cover.

  • If donors opt out, your organization pays the fees.

Where can I find training?

Blackbaud University offers e-learning courses on Integrated Payments, including Complete Cover and Donor Cover.

Access training here