Fee Schedule & Giving Costs
Learn how GiveWise fees are structured to support secure, flexible, and strategic giving for donors, charities, and financial advisors.
At GiveWise, we are committed to making generosity simple, flexible, and transparent.
Our fee structure is designed to support secure gift processing, compliant tax receipting, and a seamless experience for donors, charities, and advisors. Many giving methods are low-cost or fee-free, and where fees do apply, we aim to be clear about when and how they are incurred.
As a charitable organization ourselves, GiveWise aims to keep costs as low as possible. Many contribution-related fees are intended primarily as administrative cost recovery – helping support a portion of the operational, processing, compliance, and resource costs involved in facilitating charitable gifts.
Because GiveWise serves multiple audiences, the way fees apply may vary depending on how you are engaging with the platform.
For Donors
GiveWise offers a range of giving methods so you can choose what works best for your financial situation and generosity goals.
Some giving methods are free or low-cost, while others include standard processing or transaction-related fees.
What to expect
Bank transfers (EFT), e-transfers, and cheque donations are typically low-cost or fee-free
Credit card donations include standard processing fees
Gifts of securities are subject to a $150 flat fee per security transaction
Other complex gifts (such as private shares, real estate, or alternative assets) may involve additional costs depending on the nature of the gift
All applicable fees are clearly outlined during the donation process so you can make an informed decision before completing your gift.
Tax receipts are issued for the full eligible amount in accordance with CRA requirements.
Giving Fund Fees
A GiveWise Giving Fund is free to open and use for all fund balances under $25,000. Funds with balances greater than $25,000 are charged a monthly fee based on the following tiered annual rate structure:
Tier
Fund Balance
Fee % Per Annum
1
$0 to $25,000
No Fee
2
$25,001 up to $500,000
1.0%
3
$500,001 up to $1,500,000
0.5%
4
$1,500,000 up to $5,000,000
0.3%
5
$5,000,000 +
Email for rates
*Annual rates are charged monthly.
Declining Fee Structure The fee structure decreases as fund balances increase, ensuring cost-efficiency for larger funds.
*Fees do not affect the tax receipt as they are withheld after the contribution has been processed.
Other Fees
Contributions
Security Contributions
$150
Flat fee per security
Mastercard & Visa
2.20% + $0.30
International cards may incur extra fees
American Express
3.50% + $0.30
International cards may incur extra fees
Wire
$50
Cryptocurrency
$100
NSF Cheque
$50
Returned cheques due to insufficient funds
Fees do not affect tax receipts. They are deducted after the contribution is processed.
Planned and Complex Gifts
For gifts such as:
Private shares
Insurance gifts
Real estate
Estate or legacy gifts
Fees and timelines may vary depending on the complexity of the gift.
These gifts often require:
Valuation
Due diligence
Coordination with donors and advisors
Legal or financial review
In these cases, any applicable costs or considerations are discussed in advance so all parties are aligned before the gift is completed.
Non-Charity Benefit Fund (NQDs)
Application
$500 + GST
One-time fee
Disbursement
2.0%
Per payout
Gifts & Grants
Returned & Reissued
$40
Deducted from original gift value
Foreign Qualified Donee
$150
Wire Payment
$200
May be required for large-value gifts
Miscellaneous
Operating Expense Recovery
Misc.
May be deducted from the Giving Fund to recover incurred expenses
Wire to Third Party
$100
Liquidation of Held Security
$50
Flat fee per transaction
For any questions or further details, please contact GiveWise Support: Email: [email protected] Phone: 604.337.9951
For Charities (GiveGenius Fees)
GiveGenius is designed to expand how your donors can give, while reducing administrative work for your team.
It works alongside your existing donation tools by enabling “other ways to give” such as securities, donor-advised funds, bank transfers, and more.
How fees show up for your donors
When donors give through your GiveGenius donation link:
They can choose from a variety of giving methods
Some methods are fee-free, while others include donor-paid fees (such as credit card processing or securities transaction fees)
All fees are clearly communicated to the donor at the time of giving
This allows donors to choose the method that works best for them, including more strategic ways of giving from assets rather than cash.
How Fees Apply to Your Organization When Using GiveGenius
All organizations using GiveGenius participate through a GiveGenius Charity Partnership Package
A one-time partnership onboarding fee paid upon agreement
A 1% processing fee is applied to any gifts made through your GiveGenius link
This fee is deducted at the time of disbursement to your charity
There are no additional platform or administrative fees for using GiveGenius
Charity Partnership Packages (GiveGenius)
Basic
$500 + GST
1%
Premium
$2500 + GST
1%
What this covers
The 1% processing fee supports:
Secure donation processing across multiple giving methods
CRA-compliant tax receipting and reporting
Ongoing disbursements and fund management
Charity Portal access and donor activity tracking
Customer support for charities and donors using the platform
Administrative processing and compliance support
Ongoing platform maintenance, enhancements, and technology improvements
This fee helps charities offer more flexible and strategic ways for donors to give without needing to manage the operational, technical, or compliance complexities internally.
Optional courtesy contributions made by donors separately help support broader platform growth, donor education, and ongoing improvements to the GiveWise ecosystem.
Please note that this fee does not cover third-party payment provider transaction fees that may apply to certain giving methods, such as credit card processing or securities transactions. Any applicable donor fees are communicated during the donation process where applicable.
For Financial Advisors
GiveWise supports financial advisors by providing a clear and flexible structure for charitable giving.
Whether your clients are giving through donor-advised funds, securities, or other assets, our platform is designed to reduce friction and provide transparency.
What to expect
Clear fee structures across giving methods
Support for both simple and complex gifts
Transparent handling of any transaction or processing costs
A streamlined experience for both you and your clients
Why it matters
GiveWise enables you to:
Guide clients toward more tax-efficient giving strategies
Facilitate gifts from a wider range of assets
Ensure a smooth and compliant giving experience
Final Note
Our goal is to remove friction from generosity, not add to it.
By offering a range of giving methods and handling the complexity behind the scenes, GiveWise helps donors give more strategically and helps charities focus more on their mission.
If you have questions about fees or would like support navigating the best approach, our team is here to help.
For any questions or further details, please contact GiveWise Support: Email: [email protected] Phone: 604.337.9951
Unlock all the benefits of GiveWise—visit GiveWise.ca
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