How to Decide the Fundraiser's Share: 10%, 20% or More

Every fundraiser voucher has a number on it that supporters notice: the share. "Buy this $50 voucher and $10 goes to the school" — the $10 is the story.

So what share should you offer? The short answer: choose the highest share your margins can genuinely afford, because the share is the most visible selling point in the whole campaign — but "highest you can afford" means different numbers for different businesses. Here's the framework for deciding yours.

The minimum and the norm

The minimum share on Generous.nz is 10% of each sale. Ten percent is the floor, and for many businesses it's the right number — a $5 share on a $50 voucher is a fair contribution without denting margins.

But 10% isn't always the best choice. A higher share can sell vouchers faster, build more goodwill, and still make sense — depending on your costs. The trick is to stop thinking of the share as a percentage and start thinking of it as the number of dollars you're willing to give up per sale in exchange for a new customer.

When 10% makes sense

Choose 10% when:

• Your margins are thin — retail products, goods-heavy offers.
• You're offering many vouchers and the volume adds up.
• The fundraiser's audience is large and the campaign runs a long time.
• You're testing a partnership for the first time and want to limit the risk.

When a higher share wins

Offer 15–25% (or more) when:

• Your marginal cost is low — services, quiet-period capacity, appointments.
• The campaign is small or short — a higher share makes each sale count.
• You want to stand out: "20% to the cause" gets noticed.
• The cause is close to your heart or your customers' hearts.
• The fundraiser's audience is small — you need a bigger share to make the campaign worth their effort.

Your offer	Typical share	Why
Retail goods, products	10–15%	Hard costs eat margin
Cafés, takeaways	10–20%	Volume + regulars make up for margin
Salons, clinics, services	15–25%	Empty appointments cost nothing
Accommodation, experiences	15–25%	Quiet capacity is your cheapest asset

The math that matters

Work it out per sale, not as a percentage. On a $50 voucher:

• 10% share = $5 to the cause, $45 to you before the platform fee.
• 20% share = $10 to the cause, $40 to you before the platform fee.

Then ask two questions:

1. What does it cost me to deliver? If $40 still covers your costs, the 20% offer may be free money for the cause.
2. What is a new customer worth? If that customer returns three times, the $5 you gave up on the first visit is the cheapest marketing you'll ever buy. This is the single best reason to offer more than the minimum — our guide on measuring partnership ROI shows how to track the return.

Think about the buyer

Supporters compare offers. A $50 voucher with $15 to the cause feels more generous than one with $5 — and generosity sells. If the share is visible, the buyer's decision often rests on it. On Generous.nz the share is shown on your product page ("Fundraisers keep X% of every sale"), so it's always part of the pitch — make it a number you're proud of.

How the share works on Generous.nz

• You set the percentage when you list a product or voucher — minimum 10%, up to you.
• The sale price fundraisers list is floored so the share always works: they can't sell your item at a price that eats your margin.
• The fundraiser's share is paid out automatically from each sale; you never have to transfer it manually.
• You can change the share for future sales at any time from your business dashboard.

Be consistent and honest

Whatever share you choose, say it clearly and honour it. Don't let the fundraiser discover the share in the fine print. A transparent, well-chosen share builds the trust that makes partnerships repeat — and it makes it easy to say yes to the next fundraiser that asks. (Need help choosing which requests to accept? Here's how to choose which fundraisers to support.)

The simple rule

Choose the highest share you can afford and still deliver a great experience. The share is marketing you can measure — and generosity, done right, sells.

Frequently asked questions

Is 10% really the minimum?

Yes — on Generous.nz, fundraisers earn at least 10% of every sale from your products. It's the floor, not a target.

If I offer 20%, do I pay more in platform fees?

No. The platform fee is a separate 5% + GST on sales (fee-free on your first $1,000). Your share choice only affects how much goes to the fundraiser.

Won't a higher share hurt my margins?

Only if you price the voucher wrong. Because the share comes out of the sale price, the fix is to make sure the sale price covers your costs after the share — our voucher pricing guide walks through the exact numbers.

Can I offer different shares to different fundraisers?

Your listing has one share percentage, but you can create multiple listings with different shares for different campaigns, and you can update the percentage any time.

Does a bigger share really sell more vouchers?

Usually, yes — supporters notice and compare the share. But a small share with a passionate, well-promoted fundraiser can outsell a big share with no promotion. The share is one part of the recipe, not the whole thing.