Lately, it feels like tipping has become an expected part of nearly every transaction. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee or checking out at a self-serve kiosk, you’re likely to be met with a prompt suggesting a generous tip. It’s no surprise that more Americans are questioning when, where, and how much to tip, and whether the system still makes sense.
Recent conversations, surveys, and media coverage all point to the same conclusion: tipping culture is reaching a tipping point.
The Numbers Tell the Story
According to a Bankrate survey from June 2025, 63% of Americans report holding at least one negative view of tipping. Even more telling, 41% believe tipping culture has gotten “out of control,” up from 35% the previous year. A Today Show segment echoed this sentiment, reporting that Americans feel overwhelmed by the current tipping environment.
The frustration goes beyond the tip amounts themselves. The way tipping is prompted, often through pre-filled screens, leaves 38% of respondents irritated. Additionally, 27% say these prompts make them tip less or not at all.
Investopedia noted that Gen Z and millennials, in particular, are rethinking tipping norms. Many in these age groups argue that businesses, not customers, should ensure workers are fairly compensated.
The Tipping Landscape is Murky for Fundraisers
NewsNation brought attention to how tipping has expanded into areas where it was once uncommon, such as self-checkouts and fast-casual counters. That same trend is starting to appear in fundraising platforms, where donors are now being asked to tip — not the cause, but the software provider.
In her article, The Illusion of ‘Free’ – Why Donors Deserve Better, Cheddar Up CEO Nichole Montoya explains how these prompts can be confusing and misleading. Donors may assume their entire contribution goes to the cause, only to discover a portion is directed elsewhere. In some cases, they may even reduce their intended donation to offset the added cost.
A little insider tip:
Watch a quick video showing where those platform tips really end up:
A Better Way to Give and Collect
Tipping fatigue is real, and many people are tired of the guesswork. That’s why Cheddar Up keeps things simple. We don’t include tip prompts during checkout, so your supporters can give with confidence, knowing exactly where their money is going.
Whether you’re collecting for a school trip, a team fundraiser, or neighborhood dues, you stay in control. Organizers can set who covers fees, customize receipts, and offer multiple payment options, all without asking payers to tip the platform.
No surprise requests. No added pressure. Just a clear, trustworthy experience that makes giving easy for everyone involved.
Before you go
Ready to offer a more straightforward and trusted way to collect? Cheddar Up makes it simple for you and your community.
You may also like:
The Easiest VBS Registration Form You’ll Ever Set Up
Planning Vacation Bible School (VBS) is one of the most exciting things a church community comes together to do. The music, the crafts, the kids running in with giant smiles. It’s the good stuff. But before any of that can happen, there’s one thing standing between you and a smooth summer: getting families registered.
If you’ve ever cobbled together a paper sign up sheet or wrestled with a generic form tool that wasn’t built for church groups, you know the struggle. Cheddar Up’s church payments tools were made for exactly this. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up a VBS registration form that works for your church, and for the families you serve.
A VBS registration form is how your church collects the information it needs to welcome children to Vacation Bible School. At its core, it captures the basics: child’s name, age or grade, parent or guardian contact information, and any emergency contacts.
How to Set a Fundraising Goal and Achieve It: Step-by-Step Guide
Your fundraiser is your baby! For passionate organizers like you, your #1 priority is to make sure your fundraising goal is successfully met. Here’s the problem: Most campaigns stall out because the ask was never clear in the first place. This is why it is important for organizers to learn how to set a fundraising goal that is both realistic and ambitious enough to move the needle.
But, don’t just take our word for it. It is actually scientifically proven that clear goals increase performance, focus, persistence, and motivation. Think about what this can do for your fundraising efforts!
In this guide, we’re going to teach you the best practices for setting fundraising goals and how to monitor your progress, as well as steps you can take to actually achieve them.
A fundraising goal is a specific financial target your campaign aims to reach within a defined timeframe. A clear goal is more than a wish or a rough estimate. It connects your dollar amount to a tangible outcome.
Keep in mind that not all fundraising goals need to target cash. Some fundraisers gain support from donors who give tangible items, such as toys for a toy drive or books for a readathon. Meanwhile, other fundraisers combine the two, asking for both funds and donated items.
How to Write a Membership Thank You Letter + Free Templates
Think about the last time you received a heartfelt thank you note from your favorite organization. How did it make you feel? Pretty good, right? A meaningful membership thank you letter leaves a lasting impression on group members and makes eager contributors feel even more inspired to go to events and make an even bigger impact.
Here’s the problem: Most organizations spend hours perfecting their recruitment pitch, then send a generic “thanks for joining” email that reads like an automated receipt. That’s a missed opportunity!
The good news is that you can write a genuine, meaningful, and effective thank you message… and no, you don’t have to commit hours of drafting to craft it perfectly.
In this guide, we’ll go through simple steps on how to write a membership thank you letter to your members. We’ll also provide you with several different samples for different scenarios, including a thank you for joining membership letter template. Last but not least, discover fast ways to automate the process using membership management tools.
Donation Forms: Types, Templates & Best Practices for Nonprofits
Donation forms play a central role in nonprofit fundraising, helping organizations collect money, goods, and pledges while capturing donor information.
Not all donation forms serve the same purpose. A form used to collect online donations is different from one used by nonprofits to apply for funding or track in kind contributions. Understanding these differences is an integral component to building an effective nonprofit fundraising strategy.
This guide covers the most common types of donation forms, when to use each, and how to create them efficiently.
Donation forms are tools nonprofits and organizations use to collect money, goods, or pledges while capturing the information needed to process and track contributions.
