Making a donation #
You can support a DashPledge fundraiser by making an online donation through a public fundraising page.
There are two ways to donate on DashPledge:
- Through the main school or organization campaign page
- Through an individual student mini-fundraiser page
Both support the overall campaign. However, donating through a student mini-fundraiser also gives that participating student credit toward their individual fundraising progress.
Option 1: Donate through the main campaign page #
The main campaign page represents the overall fundraiser for the school or organization.
Use the main campaign page when you want to support the overall campaign rather than a particular participating student.
Depending on the fundraiser, the main campaign page may show:
- School or organization name
- Campaign name
- Campaign description
- Fundraising goal
- Overall amount raised
- Campaign progress
- Campaign images or video
- Donation options
A donation made directly through the main campaign page contributes to the overall campaign fundraising total.
Option 2: Donate through a student mini-fundraiser #
Participating students can have their own student mini-fundraiser page connected to the school’s main campaign.
Parents and guardians can share these individual fundraising pages with family, friends, and other supporters.
Depending on the campaign and its privacy settings, a student mini-fundraiser may include:
- Student fundraiser information
- Personalized fundraiser story
- Student photo, when permitted
- Individual fundraising goal
- Individual fundraising progress
- School campaign information
- Activity progress, when applicable
- Donation options
When you donate through a student’s mini-fundraiser, the eligible donation contributes to:
- The student’s individual fundraising progress
- The overall school or organization campaign total
This allows you to support a particular participating student while also contributing to the larger campaign.
Which fundraising page should I use? #
If you want to support the school or organization generally, use the main campaign page.
If you want to support a specific participating student, use that student’s mini-fundraiser page.
If a parent, guardian, or family member sent you a student’s fundraising link or QR code, use that link so your donation is associated with the intended student’s fundraiser.
How do I know which page I’m on? #
Review the fundraising page before donating.
A main campaign page focuses on the overall school or organization fundraiser.
A student mini-fundraiser page includes information associated with an individual participating student’s fundraiser.
Always confirm you’re on the intended fundraising page before completing your donation.
1. Choose your donation amount #
Select one of the available donation amounts or enter an amount when the fundraiser allows it.
Suggested donation amounts may vary depending on the campaign.
Review the selected amount before continuing.
2. Review the DashPledge tip option #
During the donation process, you may see an option to support DashPledge with a voluntary tip.
The DashPledge tip is separate from your donation to the fundraiser.
Review the amounts displayed before completing your payment so you understand:
- Your fundraiser donation
- Your optional DashPledge tip
- Your total payment
3. Enter your donor information #
Provide the information requested on the donation form.
This can include information such as your name and email address.
Use an email address you can access so you can receive applicable donation confirmation and receipt information.
4. Choose whether to donate anonymously #
When anonymous donations are available, you may have the option to make your donation without displaying your name publicly.
Choosing to donate anonymously affects how your name appears publicly. It does not mean that no information is collected to process and administer the transaction.
5. Leave a message of support #
When donor comments are enabled, you may be able to leave a message for the fundraiser.
For example:
Great job! We’re cheering you on!
Keep donor messages appropriate for a school and community fundraising environment.
Do not include private or sensitive information in a donor message.
6. Enter your payment information #
Enter the requested payment information using the secure donation form.
Never send your full payment card information through email, chat, or a support request.
7. Review your donation #
Before submitting your payment, check:
- The fundraiser you’re supporting
- Donation amount
- Optional DashPledge tip, if selected
- Total payment amount
- Donor information
If you’re supporting a specific student, verify that you’re still on that student’s mini-fundraiser page.
8. Complete your donation #
Submit the donation when everything looks correct.
Allow the payment process to finish before closing or refreshing the page.
When the transaction is successfully completed, you should receive confirmation of the donation.
How are donations counted? #
How your donation is credited depends on which fundraising page you use.
Main campaign donation #
A donation made directly through the main campaign page contributes to the overall school or organization fundraising total.
Student mini-fundraiser donation #
A donation made through a student mini-fundraiser page contributes to:
- That student’s eligible individual fundraising progress
- The overall school or organization campaign total
DashPledge can therefore track individual student fundraising while maintaining the overall campaign total.
Does a student receive the donated money personally? #
No.
A student mini-fundraiser is part of the school’s or organization’s overall campaign.
The student’s page is used to track and recognize that student’s fundraising participation. It does not mean the donated funds are personally paid to the student.
Does the optional DashPledge tip count toward the student’s total? #
No.
The optional DashPledge tip is separate from the fundraiser donation.
It should not be counted toward:
- Student fundraising progress
- Main campaign amount raised
- Organization fundraising totals
Does the optional DashPledge tip go to the school? #
No.
The fundraiser donation supports the applicable school or organization campaign.
The voluntary DashPledge tip is separate and supports DashPledge.
Do I have to leave a DashPledge tip? #
No.
A DashPledge tip is voluntary.
Review the donation form and choose the option that’s appropriate for you before completing your payment.
Will I receive a receipt? #
Donation confirmation or receipt information can be sent to the email address associated with the donation.
Keep your receipt for your records.
If you don’t receive the expected email, check your spam or junk folder.
Can I donate anonymously? #
When anonymous giving is enabled for the fundraiser, you can select the available anonymous-donation option.
Your name can then be hidden from applicable public supporter displays.
Information required for payment processing and administration may still be retained.
Can I leave a donor message? #
When donor comments are enabled, you can leave an appropriate message of support.
Whether that message is displayed publicly depends on the fundraiser’s available settings.
What if I donated through the wrong student’s page? #
If you intended to support one student but completed the donation through another student’s mini-fundraiser, do not make additional transactions simply to try to correct the first donation.
Contact DashPledge Support so the transaction can be reviewed.
Provide enough information to identify the donation, but never send your full payment card number or payment credentials.
What if I donated through the main campaign instead of a student page? #
Your eligible donation still supports the overall school or organization campaign.
However, because the donation was made through the main campaign page, it may not be associated with a particular student’s individual fundraising progress.
If you believe the donation needs to be reviewed, contact DashPledge Support.
What if my donation doesn’t appear immediately? #
Donation totals may not always update instantly.
Refresh the fundraising page after a short period and check again.
If you received successful payment confirmation but the donation still doesn’t appear as expected, contact DashPledge Support.
What if my payment doesn’t go through? #
Review any message displayed during the payment process.
Make sure the requested payment information has been entered correctly.
If you’re unsure whether the payment was already completed, check for a confirmation before submitting another donation.
This helps avoid accidental duplicate transactions.
If the problem continues, visit Troubleshooting.
Is my payment information secure? #
Payment information is handled through the secure payment-processing services connected to DashPledge.
Never provide:
- Full payment card numbers
- Card security codes
- Account passwords
- Payment credentials
through email, chat, or ordinary support messages.
For additional information, visit Privacy & Security.
What’s next? #
For more information, continue with the Donations & Donors guides covering:
- Understanding DashPledge tips and the 0% platform fee
- Anonymous donations
- Donor messages
- Donation receipts
- Donation problems
- Refunds
If you’re looking for a particular fundraiser, see How to Find a Fundraiser under Getting Started.
