What are Boosts?
Boosts is a feature that ensures you receive 100% of every one-time donation. When donors add an optional Boost at checkout, those contributions help cover processing fees across all one-time donations on your account.
The Harness guarantee: If you have Boosts enabled, you’ll always receive the full intended donation amount for one-time gifts. If Boost contributions don’t fully cover your processing fees, Harness covers the difference.
Think of it as your donors chipping in so you receive the full amount of every one-time gift.
How do Boosts work?
When donors give a one-time gift through Harness, they'll see an optional Boost at checkout—an additional amount (0-20%) they can add on top of their donation to help cover processing fees across all one-time donations on your account.
How are Boosts different from a donor covering processing fees?
When a donor covers processing fees, they're covering the fees for their own donation only.
When a donor adds a Boost, it helps cover processing fees across all one-time donations to your organization—not just their own transaction.
Do I have to use Boosts?
If you'd prefer to opt out, just reach out to our team at [email protected].
If you opt out, your donations will revert to the traditional model where donors can choose to cover their own processing fees, and any fees that are not covered are deducted from the donation amount.
What if my donors don't Boost?
If you have Boosts enabled, you still receive 100% of every one-time donation. When a donor chooses not to add a Boost, those processing fees are covered through Boost contributions from your other donors. If Boost contributions don't fully cover your processing fees, Harness covers the difference.
The Harness guarantee: If you have Boosts enabled, you’ll always receive the full intended donation amount for one-time gifts. If Boost contributions don’t fully cover your processing fees, Harness covers the difference.
What do donors see on the donation form?
See a sample donation form below:
What do donors see on their receipt?
See the sample donor receipt below:
Is Boost a fee charged by Harness?
No. Boost is not a fee charged to you or your donors. It's an optional amount added by donors to help cover processing fees across all your one-time donations.
Any references to "Harness fees" in payment processor reports reflect how the processor displays transactions, not additional costs we're charging you.
What types of donations can a donor Boost their gift on?
Currently, Boosting is only offered for one-time donations made through debit or credit cards.
Who do I contact if I see an error?
Please email [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
Accounting FAQ
Why do processing fees sometimes look high in Stripe?
Stripe reports may show gross processing fees or platform-related activity tied to Boosts. Even if fees appear higher in Stripe, those fees are fully covered and you still receive 100% of each one-time donation. Stripe's reports show transaction details, while Harness ensures the final payout reflects full donation value.
Is Boost considered donation revenue?
No, Boosts are not additional donation revenue for your organization and should not be treated as such.
How should Boost be recorded in our accounting system?
For one-time donations, most organizations record them at their full amount, record net processing fees as $0, and do not record Boosts as separate revenue.
For recurring and round-up donations, there should be no accounting impacts or changes as a result of boosts.
If you have specific accounting requirements, consult your accountant.
Will this reporting change in the future?
Harness may introduce enhanced reporting over time, but the core outcome remains the same — you receive 100% of one-time donations. Any improvements will focus on added clarity, not changes to how funds are delivered.
How should I explain Boost to my board or donors?
A simple explanation: "Some donors choose to add a small amount to help cover processing fees across our donations. Those contributions ensure our organization receives 100% of every one-time donation."