Give Big Gallatin Valley includes a 2.5% host fee on all online donations. This fee goes directly to One Valley Community Foundation and helps cover the staffing, technology, marketing, and donor services required to run Give Big each year. As a nonprofit, One Valley does not profit from this fee. It simply offsets a portion of the cost of hosting a strong and reliable giving day for our community.

For more than 10 years, One Valley absorbed annual deficits of up to $50,000 to make Give Big possible. As the event has grown, so has the cost of delivering it at the scale and quality nonprofits and donors expect. The 2.5% host fee allows us to continue hosting Give Big sustainably and keep it accessible to all eligible organizations.

We know fees are not ideal, and we remain committed to transparency. We have clarified how fees appear during checkout, improved donor education, and provided guidance for organizations that want to encourage no-fee giving options such as DAFs, IRAs, stock gifts, or checks.

What the 2.5% host fee supports

• Website hosting, security, and real-time donation processing
• Customer support for donors and nonprofits
• Community-wide marketing and communication
• Nonprofit trainings, toolkits, and individualized support
• Prize pool coordination
• Staff time for planning, technology, and daily operations

Why the 2.5% host fee is important

• Keeps Give Big financially sustainable
• Supports a high-quality donor experience
• Preserves nonprofit trainings, marketing, and resources
• Keeps Give Big registration fees accessible to every eligible nonprofit
• Protects the full range of platform features and visibility opportunities

What is the host fee?

The host fee is a 2.5% charge on all online donations made during Give Big Gallatin Valley. This fee supports One Valley Community Foundation’s role in hosting and improving the initiative each year.

How does the host fee benefit nonprofits?

The host fee helps fund the shared systems that support every participant, including technology, donor services, community marketing, prize coordination, and nonprofit training. This ensures Give Big remains a strong fundraising opportunity long term.

Does the host fee apply to offline gifts?

No. The 2.5% host fee only applies to online donations made using credit, debit, mobile pay, or ACH on GiveBigGV.org. The fee is not applied to offline gifts such as cash, checks, DAFs, IRAs, or stock, which can be submitted directly to your organization or through the Offline Gift Form.

What are the total fees for online donations?

For most online gifts, 8% plus $0.30 is retained at checkout. The breakdown is:

• 3% platform fee goes to GiveGab for site hosting, maintenance, customer service, and donation processing
• 2.5% plus $0.30 credit card processing fee
• 2.5% host fee that supports One Valley’s staffing, marketing, training, and donor services

Donors may choose to cover these fees at checkout so the nonprofit receives the full intended gift.

What will donors see about the host fee?

Donors will see a clear, itemized explanation of all fees during checkout, including the 2.5% host fee that supports One Valley’s role as the event host.

Can donors choose to cover the host fee?

Yes. Donors can choose to cover the fees during checkout. If they decline, the fees are deducted before the donation is transferred to the nonprofit.

How should nonprofits explain the host fee?

Nonprofits can frame the host fee as an important investment in the shared infrastructure that makes Give Big possible. It supports the technology, outreach, and operations that benefit all participating organizations.

For additional questions about the host fee, please contact One Valley President & CEO Bridget Wilkinson at bridget@onevalley.org.