Ticketing for
Charity Events

Charity events are fundamentally different from commercial events. The goal is not to maximise profit for the organiser but to raise as much money as possible for a cause. That changes the calculus on everything from platform choice to pricing.

When a ticketing platform charges 5-10% in booking fees, that money comes straight out of your fundraising total. On a 200-person charity gala at £50 per ticket, Eventbrite's fees alone could eat £500 or more of your total. That is money that should be going to your cause, not to a ticketing middleman.

Charity organisers also need flexibility. You might want to offer donation add-ons at checkout, create tiered ticket types (standard, VIP, table of 10), or sell raffle tickets alongside event entry. Not every platform supports these features without workarounds.

Gift Aid is another consideration unique to charities. While ticket sales themselves are not eligible for Gift Aid (they are a payment for a service, not a donation), some platforms let you add a separate donation field at checkout that can be Gift Aid eligible. If your charity is registered, this can add 25% on top of every voluntary donation.

The ideal ticketing platform for a charity event should have three things: low or zero fees, flexible ticket types, and simple setup for volunteers who may not be tech-savvy.

Most mainstream platforms charge per-ticket fees that directly reduce your fundraising income. Skiddle charges around 10% on cheaper tickets, while See Tickets takes a percentage plus a fixed fee. These costs add up fast when every pound matters.

tickts charges zero platform fees, zero booking fees, and zero commission. The only cost is Stripe's card processing fee (1.5% + 20p per transaction), and payments go directly to your connected Stripe account. For a charity, this means dramatically more money reaching your cause.

Consider also whether you need:

• Group booking for tables at a gala dinner or charity ball
• Promo codes for sponsors or major donors who get complimentary entry
• Multiple ticket types for different levels of entry or sponsorship
• A simple dashboard that volunteers can manage without training

See our full platform comparison to weigh up your options, or use the fee calculator to see exactly how much each platform would cost for your event.

Pricing charity event tickets requires balancing accessibility with fundraising goals. Price too high and you exclude supporters; price too low and you leave money on the table.

Start by calculating your break-even cost per head. Add up venue hire, catering, entertainment, decorations, and any other costs, then divide by your target attendance. This is your floor price.

For formal charity events like galas or balls, tiered pricing works well. Offer individual tickets, couples tickets at a slight discount, and full-table packages for corporate sponsors. A table of 10 at £450 (vs £50 per individual ticket) gives the buyer a perceived saving while guaranteeing you a block booking.

Consider adding an optional donation at checkout. Even £5 extra from 60% of buyers adds up significantly. Frame it clearly: "Add £5 to support [charity name] directly." People respond better to specific, modest asks than vague "donate what you can" messages.

Early bird pricing is less common for charity events but can work if you need to gauge demand early. A £5 saving for the first 50 tickets creates urgency and helps you plan catering numbers well in advance.

Here is how the main UK ticketing platforms stack up for charity event organisers:

• Eventbrite charges 6.95% + £0.59 per ticket. On a £40 charity dinner ticket, that is £3.37 gone. For 150 guests, you lose over £500 in fees.
• Skiddle charges £1 + 3% per ticket, but is aimed more at nightlife than charity events. Limited customisation options.
• WeGotTickets charges 10% on everything. Simple to use, but 10% of your fundraising total is a steep price.
• tickts charges nothing. Zero fees. Stripe processing (1.5% + 20p) is the only cost, and funds go directly to your bank account within days.

For a 200-person charity gala at £50 per ticket (£10,000 total), here is what you keep:

• Eventbrite: £9,326 (you lose £674)
• WeGotTickets: £9,000 (you lose £1,000)
• tickts: £9,710 (you lose just £290 in Stripe processing)

That is an extra £384 to £710 for your cause just by choosing the right platform. Over multiple events per year, the difference is substantial.

Charity events have a built-in advantage: people want to support good causes. Lean into that. Here is how to maximise sales:

Tell the story. Your event listing should lead with the cause, not the logistics. Explain what the money will fund. "All proceeds go to [charity]" is fine, but "Every ticket sold funds a week of hot meals for elderly residents in [town]" is much more compelling.

Leverage your network. Charity events sell through personal connections more than any other event type. Ask committee members, trustees, and volunteers to each personally invite 10 people. Provide them with a direct ticket link they can share via WhatsApp or email.

Partner with local businesses. Approach local companies for sponsorship or prize donations for a raffle. In return, offer them visibility at the event and on your ticket page. Find potential partners and venues on UK Venue Guide.

Use social proof. Post regular updates showing ticket sales progress: "75% sold, only 50 tickets remaining!" This creates urgency and shows momentum. Share photos from previous events to show people what they are buying into.

Make it easy to share. After someone buys a ticket, make it easy for them to invite friends. A simple "Share this event" button or a personal referral link can turn every buyer into a promoter.

Follow up. Send a thank-you email after the event with photos, the total raised, and what the money will fund. This builds loyalty for your next event. People who see the impact of their ticket purchase are far more likely to come back.