Internet gives a run for your money – but watch the charges

THE internet has transformed the way we give to good causes – but although it makes donating easier there can be hidden charges for the service.

Websites such as Just Giving make it simple to donate online for fundraising events, such as a charity run, but pocket 5 per cent of any donation given for offering the website service.

On top is a further charge of at least 16p for paying using a debit card – or 1.45 per cent for money donated through the online payment service PayPal. Those that have set up a fundraising website through Just Giving are separately charged £15 a month.

Another donation handling website, Virgin Money Giving, takes a 2 per cent cut of money given and a card processing fee of 1.45 per cent. Anyone wanting to use the website to take donations must hand over a hefty one-off fee of £180.

Among the most competitively priced donation handling websites is My Donate, which charges 15p for every donation made. Other options worth considering include Charity Choice and Every Click, charging 25p and 56p respectively per donation.