How Donations & Sliding Scale Works
Offer pay-what-you-can events, sliding scale pricing, and optional donations. Make your teachings accessible while honoring the value of your work.
Flexible Pricing
Set min/max ranges, suggested amounts, and quick-select presets.
Zero Pressure
Compassionate messaging that honors every contribution level.
Instant Payouts
Direct to Stripe. No holding funds, no waiting periods.
Anonymous Options
Let donors contribute privately if they prefer.
Pricing Models
Choose the approach that fits your community and values.
Sliding Scale
Set a price range (e.g., $25–$75). Attendees choose their amount within the range. Best for ensuring baseline revenue while offering accessibility.
- Minimum guarantees sustainability
- Suggested price guides attendees
- Upper range enables generosity
Pay What You Can
No minimum required. Attendees enter any amount, including $0. Fully dana-based approach for maximum accessibility.
- Removes all financial barriers
- Trust-based community model
- Often averages higher than expected
Dana-Based
Traditional generosity model. Teaching is offered freely; contributions support the teacher and future offerings.
- Honors ancient teaching traditions
- Invites reciprocal generosity
- Customizable messaging
Free + Donation
Free registration with optional add-on donation at checkout. No obligation, just opportunity.
- Zero barrier to entry
- Donation is truly optional
- Great for community events
Setting Up Sliding Scale
Create accessible pricing in a few steps.
Create a New Ticket Type
Go to your event editor and add a new ticket type. Select "Sliding Scale" as the pricing model.
Set Your Price Range
Enter minimum, suggested, and maximum amounts. The suggested price is what most attendees will pay.
Customize Your Message
Write or choose a message explaining your sliding scale philosophy. Be authentic to your voice.
Configure Quick-Select Options
Add preset buttons like "Supported," "Suggested," and "Generous" for faster checkout.
Crafting Your Message
How you frame sliding scale matters. Choose a tone that matches your community.
Be Transparent
Explain why you offer sliding scale. Share that higher contributions subsidize lower ones.
Remove Shame
Make it clear that paying less is welcomed and honored. No justification needed.
Build Community
Frame it as mutual support — those who can, help those who can't. Everyone belongs.
Honor Generosity
Thank those who pay more without making those who pay less feel lesser.
Choose What Feels Right
This event is offered on a sliding scale. Pay what you can — your presence is the real gift.
Track What Matters
See how your sliding scale performs without obsessing over individual amounts.
- Average payment amount across all attendees
- Distribution across price ranges
- Total donations vs. ticket revenue
- Comparison to suggested price
- Trends over time and across events
Best Practices
Set Sustainable Minimums
Your minimum should cover costs if everyone paid it. Think venue, materials, your time. If $25 × expected attendance doesn't cover basics, adjust.
Suggested ≠ Default
The suggested price anchors expectations. Set it at what feels fair for the offering. Most people will pay this or close to it.
Know Your Community
Some communities are more generous than others. Start with wider ranges and adjust based on actual behavior over time.
Be Visible About Impact
Share how sliding scale makes a difference. "15 people attended who couldn't otherwise" is more powerful than silent gratitude.
Troubleshooting
Everyone is paying the minimum
Review your messaging — is the suggested price clear? Consider adding preset buttons that make higher amounts easier to select. Some communities need explicit guidance.
Slider not appearing
Make sure you selected "Sliding Scale" as the pricing model, not fixed price. Check that min and max prices are different. Save and refresh.
Donations not showing in reports
Add-on donations appear separately from ticket revenue. Check the "Donations" section in your analytics, not the ticket sales section.
Anonymous donation still showing name
Anonymous hides the name from public donor lists only. You'll still see it in your admin dashboard for record-keeping and receipts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sliding scale sets a minimum and maximum price range (e.g., $25–$75). Pay-what-you-can has no minimum — attendees can enter $0 if needed. Sliding scale is best when you need baseline revenue; pay-what-you-can is fully donation-based.
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