--- title: How to Use Open Stripe description: Learn how to open your organization’s connected Stripe account from DashPledge, review payments and payouts, manage account requirements, and safely troubleshoot Stripe connection issues. url: "https://dashpledge.com/docs/how-to-use-open-stripe/" updated: "2026-08-18" category: "Payouts & Stripe" --- # How to Use Open Stripe ## Using Open Stripe DashPledge connects your organization to Stripe for payment processing and payouts. Authorized organizers can use **Open Stripe** when they need to access additional financial and account information associated with their organization's connected Stripe account. You can access it from: **Settings → Payout Setup → Stripe Connect → Open Stripe** ## How to open Stripe Sign in to your DashPledge Organizer Dashboard. Then: 1. Select **Settings**. 2. Select **Payout Setup**. 3. Find the **Stripe Connect** section. 4. Confirm that the account shows **Connected**. 5. Select **Open Stripe**. You will be taken to the Stripe experience associated with your organization's connected account. ## When should I use Open Stripe? Use Open Stripe when you need information or controls that are managed directly through the connected Stripe account. Depending on your account, Stripe can provide additional information related to: - Payments - Balances - Payouts - Bank account information - Account verification - Outstanding requirements - Refunds or payment activity For a quick payout summary, you can usually start with DashPledge **Payout Setup** before opening Stripe. ## What can I see directly in DashPledge? Before opening Stripe, **Settings → Payout Setup** already provides important payout information. This includes: - Available Balance - Pending Balance - Recent Paid Out - Stripe Connect status - Connected account information - Bank Account status - Payout Schedule - Recent Payouts Use Open Stripe when you need additional account-level information or need to manage something handled by Stripe. ## What does Connected mean? When the Stripe Connect section displays **Connected**, DashPledge has an established connection to the organization's Stripe account. The page may also indicate whether payments and payouts are enabled. However, a connected account can still receive additional requirements from Stripe. If something isn't working as expected, Open Stripe and check for outstanding requirements. ## What should I check if payouts aren't working? If your organization isn't receiving payouts as expected, start with DashPledge Payout Setup. Review: - Available Balance - Pending Balance - Stripe Connect status - Bank Account status - Payout Schedule - Recent Payouts Then select **Open Stripe**. Inside Stripe, look for any notices or requirements that may affect the account. ## What should I check if my balance looks wrong? First compare the information shown in DashPledge with the additional payment and balance information available through Stripe. Remember that: **Campaign amount raised** is not necessarily the same as **Pending Balance**, **Available Balance**, or a completed bank payout. Differences can result from payment-processing timing, fees, refunds, disputes, and previous payouts. ## Can I see individual payments in Stripe? Stripe may provide transaction-level payment information associated with the connected account. Use this information when you need additional details about payment processing beyond the campaign and donation information available in DashPledge. ## Can I see payouts in Stripe? Yes. The connected Stripe experience can provide additional information about payouts associated with the account. DashPledge also provides **Recent Payouts** under Payout Setup for a convenient organizer-facing summary. ## Can I manage my bank account through Stripe? Banking changes should be completed through the secure connected-account experience provided for your organization. From DashPledge, you can also use: **Settings → Payout Setup → Bank Account → Manage Bank** Do not send complete bank-account credentials through ordinary DashPledge support messages. ## Can I manage my payout schedule through Stripe? Use: **Settings → Payout Setup → Payout Schedule → Manage Schedule** to access the appropriate payout-schedule controls. Stripe determines the payout options available to the connected account and controls actual fund availability and payout timing. ## What if Stripe asks me to verify my identity? Stripe may request identity or organization information as part of its payment and regulatory requirements. Follow the instructions displayed directly through Stripe. Required Stripe verification cannot be bypassed through DashPledge. ## What if Stripe asks for more organization information? Provide the requested information through the secure Stripe experience. Stripe may request additional organization or representative information even after an account has previously been connected. Outstanding requirements can affect payment or payout functionality. ## What if I update information in Stripe? After making an appropriate account change, return to: **Settings → Payout Setup** and select **Refresh Connection** when needed. This allows DashPledge to refresh the Stripe connection information displayed in your Organizer Dashboard. ## What does Refresh Connection do? **Refresh Connection** updates the Stripe connection information available to DashPledge. It can be useful after: - Completing a Stripe requirement - Updating appropriate account information - Resolving a Stripe verification issue - Making an approved connected-account change It does not create a new Stripe account. ## What does View Details do? **View Details** provides additional information about the Stripe connection from within the DashPledge payout experience. Use it when you want to review connection details without disconnecting the account. ## Should I use Disconnect if Stripe isn't working? No. **Disconnect should not be used as a normal troubleshooting step.** Disconnecting Stripe can affect your organization's ability to process payments or receive payouts. If something isn't working, first: 1. Review Payout Setup. 2. Open Stripe. 3. Check for outstanding requirements. 4. Refresh the connection when appropriate. 5. Contact DashPledge Support if the problem remains. ## Does opening Stripe affect my campaign? No. Simply opening the connected Stripe account does not change your DashPledge campaign. Your campaign information, participants, student fundraisers, activity, and leaderboards remain separate from Stripe's financial-account management. ## Do parents need access to Open Stripe? No. Parents and guardians do not need access to the organization's connected Stripe account to manage their child's fundraiser. Student mini-fundraisers remain financially connected to the school or organization's campaign. ## Do teachers need access to Open Stripe? No. Teachers use their Teacher Dashboard for classroom participation and activity. Stripe access should remain limited to authorized organization users responsible for payment and payout administration. ## Do students receive access to Stripe? No. Students do not receive fundraiser proceeds directly and do not need access to the organization's Stripe account. Donations made through student mini-fundraisers remain part of the organization's overall fundraising and payout structure. ## Protect your Stripe account Only authorized organization representatives should access the connected Stripe account. Never share: - Stripe passwords - Online banking passwords - Complete bank-account credentials - Full payment card information - Security codes DashPledge Support should not need your Stripe password to help investigate a payout issue. ## What if Open Stripe doesn't work? First, confirm that Payout Setup shows the account as **Connected**. Then try **Refresh Connection** and review the connection status again. If Open Stripe still doesn't work or Stripe reports an account problem, contact DashPledge Support and describe what you're seeing. Do not disconnect and recreate the account unless specifically instructed through the appropriate support process. ## What's next? Continue with the **Payouts & Stripe** guides to learn about: - Managing your payout bank account - Stripe verification requirements - Troubleshooting payout problems For balance questions, see **Understanding Available, Pending, and Paid Out Balances**. For payout timing, see **How to Manage Your Payout Schedule**.