Calculate cost per dollar raised, funding raised, or total cost by entering any two values in this online fundraising calculator for campaigns.
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Build your own version. Describe what you want changed, added, or compared.
Cost Per Dollar Raised Formula
The cost per dollar raised shows how much you spent to raise each $1 of funding. A lower value means a more efficient fundraising effort.
- CPDR = cost per dollar raised, in dollars spent per dollar raised
- C = total fundraising cost, in dollars
- F = total funding raised, in dollars
The calculator can also rearrange the formula to solve for the missing value.
- To calculate cost per dollar raised: enter cost and funding raised. The calculator divides cost by funding raised.
- To calculate cost: enter funding raised and cost per dollar raised. The calculator multiplies them.
- To calculate funding raised: enter cost and cost per dollar raised. The calculator divides cost by cost per dollar raised.
Cost Per Dollar Raised Benchmarks
Use these ranges as a general way to interpret your result. The right target depends on the type of fundraising, campaign maturity, donor base, and whether one-time startup costs are included.
| Cost Per Dollar Raised | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| $0.05 to $0.15 | Very efficient | Spending 5 to 15 cents to raise $1 |
| $0.16 to $0.35 | Common for many established efforts | Spending 16 to 35 cents to raise $1 |
| $0.36 to $0.50 | Higher cost, but may be acceptable for acquisition or events | Spending 36 to 50 cents to raise $1 |
| Above $0.50 | Expensive fundraising | Spending more than 50 cents to raise $1 |
Common Fundraising Costs to Include
| Cost Category | Examples | Include? |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising and promotion | Digital ads, mailers, print materials | Usually yes |
| Event expenses | Venue, catering, equipment, permits | Yes, for event-based fundraising |
| Fundraising platform fees | Payment processing, donation platform fees | Yes |
| Staff or contractor time | Fundraiser wages, consultant fees | Yes, if tracking full campaign cost |
Example Calculations
Example 1: Calculate cost per dollar raised
You spent $2,500 on a fundraising campaign and raised $20,000.
The cost per dollar raised is $0.125 per $1 raised, or 12.5 cents per dollar raised.
Example 2: Calculate funding raised
Your fundraising cost was $4,000 and your cost per dollar raised was $0.20.
The funding raised was $20,000.
FAQ
What is a good cost per dollar raised?
A good cost per dollar raised is often below $0.20, meaning you spend less than 20 cents to raise $1. However, the best target depends on the campaign type. Donor acquisition campaigns and fundraising events often cost more than renewal campaigns or major gift fundraising.
Should cost per dollar raised include staff time?
Include staff time if you want a full view of fundraising efficiency. If you only include direct expenses, such as ads, mail, event costs, and platform fees, your result will show direct campaign efficiency but not the total cost of raising funds.
Is cost per dollar raised the same as fundraising ROI?
No. Cost per dollar raised measures cost divided by funds raised. Fundraising ROI usually measures funds raised divided by cost. For example, if you spend $1,000 and raise $5,000, the cost per dollar raised is $0.20, while the fundraising ROI is 5 to 1.
