The A Better Gift Difference
Unlike traditional crowdfunding platforms that hold your funds, A Better Gift uses a direct payment model. Connect your bank, and when someone contributes to your request, the money goes directly to it.
🔒 Key Principle: In the ordinary course we do not hold your money
A Better Gift acts as your limited agent solely to facilitate the transfer of contributions. All payment processing is handled by Stripe, a PCI Level 1 certified payment processor trusted by millions of businesses worldwide.
How Contributions Flow
Here's exactly what happens when someone contributes to your request:
Contributor Initiates Payment
Your friend or family member clicks to contribute and enters their payment information on our secure, Stripe-powered checkout form.
Stripe Processes the Payment
Stripe securely processes the payment, whether it comes from a credit card, a debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Stripe handles all sensitive payment data — A Better Gift never sees or stores card numbers.
Funds Route to Your Connected Account
Through Stripe Connect, the funds are routed directly to your connected Stripe account — you receive 100% of the contribution. A Better Gift does not hold these funds in the ordinary course.
Automatic Processing to Your Bank
Once you have connected a bank account, Stripe pays each contribution out to it automatically, typically within 2-3 business days.
Our Payment Processor: Stripe
We've partnered with Stripe, one of the world's most trusted payment processors, to handle all financial transactions on our platform.
Why Stripe?
- PCI Level 1 Certified — The highest level of payment security certification issued by the PCI Security Standards Council
- Trusted Globally — Processes hundreds of billions of dollars annually for millions of businesses
- Bank-Grade Security — 256-bit SSL encryption for all transactions
- Fraud Protection — Advanced machine learning to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions
- Regulatory Compliance — Licensed and regulated in all operating jurisdictions
📋 Stripe's Terms Apply
By using A Better Gift, you also agree to Stripe's Services Agreement. Stripe is responsible for the secure processing and handling of all payment transactions.
Fees & Pricing
6.9% all-in, paid by contributors at checkout. No subscriptions. No setup fees. No surprise charges. Free to create a request, free to share it, and contributors don't even need to make an account to help. The fee is added at checkout — so the person you love receives every dollar you intended to give them.
(paid by contributor)
(full contribution)
Fee Breakdown Example
| Contribution Amount | Service Fee (6.9%) | Total Charged to Contributor | Recipient Receives |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $6.90 | $106.90 | $100.00 |
| $250.00 | $17.25 | $267.25 | $250.00 |
| $500.00 | $34.50 | $534.50 | $500.00 |
💚 What This Looks Like in Practice
When someone you trust shares a request, you'll see exactly what they need help with — including any bills or receipts they've attached, right there in the email. You pick an amount, the 6.9% is added at checkout, and the full amount you intended goes straight to their bank account through Stripe. No account to create, no app to download, no waiting for funds to clear into a platform balance. Just real help, delivered.
Processing Timeline
When funds arrive:
Payouts run automatically through Stripe, so the money comes to you without a withdrawal step.
How We're Different
| Feature | A Better Gift |
|---|---|
| Funds Handling | ✓ Direct to your bank |
| Platform Fee | ✓ 6.9% (paid by contributor — recipient receives 100%) |
| Privacy | ✓ Private by default; public only if you choose |
| Who Sees Your Request | ✓ People with your link |
| Payment Processor | ✓ Stripe (industry leader) |
| Processing Control | ✓ Automatic to your bank |
How this compares, platform by platform, with each fee checked against the platform's own pricing page: Best GoFundMe Alternatives.
Accepted Payment Methods
Contributors can use the following payment methods:
- Credit Cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- Debit Cards — Any debit card with Visa or Mastercard logo
- Digital Wallets — Apple Pay, Google Pay
All payment methods are processed securely through Stripe with the same fee structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does A Better Gift ever have access to my funds?
No. We use Stripe Connect which routes funds directly to your connected account. In the ordinary course A Better Gift does not hold, control or take custody of contributed funds. In two narrow anti-fraud cases the funds do stay on the platform balance until the matter is resolved: if a card used to pay you is reported stolen, and if a contribution is challenged by 3-D Secure and the card issuer does not authenticate it.
What if I need a refund issued?
All contributions are final and non-refundable once payment is processed. Please review our Refund Policy for details.
Are there any hidden fees?
A 6.9% service fee is added on top of each contribution and paid by the contributor. The recipient receives 100% of every contribution. The contributor pays a 6.9% service fee at checkout, on top of their contribution. There are no platform fees charged to recipients, no monthly fees, setup fees, or withdrawal fees.
Is A Better Gift available outside the US?
No. A Better Gift is available to US residents only. Both request creators and contributors must have US-based payment methods. International payments and currency conversion are not supported.
How do I verify my identity?
Identity verification is handled by Stripe during account setup. You'll need to provide basic information and, in some cases, a government-issued ID. This is required by financial regulations and helps protect against fraud.
When will I actually see the money in my bank account?
Funds from each contribution arrive in your linked bank account in approximately 2-3 business days. A Better Gift uses Stripe Connect, which routes payments directly. The exact timing depends on your bank's processing schedule. You don't need to hit a fundraising goal before funds release; each contribution is available as it arrives.
Why does the contributor pay the fee instead of me?
Because if you're asking for help, you should receive the help — all of it. Traditional crowdfunding platforms deduct fees from what the recipient receives, which means a $100 contribution becomes $96.80 in your account after fees, and less than that on the platforms that add a percentage of their own. A Better Gift's 6.9% service fee is paid by the contributor at checkout, on top of their contribution, so a $100 contribution arrives as $100 in your account. Most contributors prefer this model because they know exactly how much is going to you. The fee covers payment processing, fraud prevention, identity verification, and platform operations.