Getting Started

Most users launch their first campaign in under 30 minutes:

  • Install plugin (2 minutes)
  • Run Quick Setup (5 minutes)
  • Connect payment provider (10 minutes)
  • Create campaign (10 minutes)
  • Start accepting donations!

What do I need before starting?

Required:

  • WordPress website (self-hosted, not WordPress.com)
  • Block theme (Twenty Twenty-Four or similar)
  • SSL certificate (for secure payments)

Recommended:

  • Payment processor account (Mollie, Stripe, or PayPal)
  • Email service for reliable delivery

Do I need technical skills?

No coding required! Fundations is designed for non-technical users:

  • Visual block editor for page design
  • Step-by-step Action Wizard for campaigns
  • Point-and-click settings
  • No code customization options

For advanced customization, developers can use hooks and filters.

Can I hire someone to set it up?

Yes! Options include:

  • WordPress freelancers on Upwork/Fiverr
  • Fundations implementation partners (contact us)
  • WordPress agencies

Basic setup typically takes 2-4 hours for a professional.

How do I install Fundations?

From WordPress Admin:

  1. Go to Plugins → Add New
  2. Search “Fundations”
  3. Click Install Now
  4. Click Activate

Manual Upload:

  1. Download from WordPress.org or getfundations.com
  2. Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
  3. Select ZIP file
  4. Install and Activate

What happens after activation?

You’ll see:

  1. New “Fundations” menu in admin
  2. Quick Setup wizard prompt
  3. Settings page with configuration tabs

What pages does Fundations create?

The Quick Setup can auto-create:

PagePurpose
Create FundationsCampaign creation wizard
My AccountUser dashboard
Thank YouPost-donation confirmation
Login/RegisterUser authentication

How do I configure payments?

Mollie (Recommended for Europe):

  1. Create account at mollie.com
  2. Complete verification
  3. Get API key from Mollie Dashboard
  4. Enter in Fundations → Settings → Payments

WooCommerce (Any Payment Gateway):

  1. Install WooCommerce
  2. Configure your preferred payment gateway
  3. Enable WooCommerce checkout in Fundations settings
  4. All WooCommerce payment methods become available

How do I set up my first campaign?

As Admin:

  1. Go to Fundations → Add New
  2. Enter title and description
  3. Add blocks (Progress Bar, Donation Form, etc.)
  4. Set goal amount and deadline
  5. Publish

As User (via Action Wizard):

  1. Navigate to Create Fundations page
  2. Follow the wizard steps
  3. Submit for review or auto-publish

What themes work with Fundations?

Fully Compatible (Block Themes):

  • Twenty Twenty-Four
  • Twenty Twenty-Three
  • Any FSE/Block theme

Limited Compatibility (Classic Themes):

  • May work with hybrid themes
  • Some features may display incorrectly
  • Shortcodes available as fallback

Why does Fundations require a block theme?

Block themes provide:

  • Native support for all 30+ Fundations blocks
  • Full Site Editing for complete customization
  • Modern WordPress standards
  • Better performance
  • Future-proof design

Can I switch themes after setting up?

Yes, but:

  • Stick to block themes for seamless transitions
  • Your campaigns and data remain intact
  • You may need to re-customize templates
  • Test thoroughly after switching

What if my theme isn’t compatible?

Options:

  1. Switch themes – Many free block themes available
  2. Use shortcodes – Basic fallback for some features
  3. Hire a developer – Custom template integration
  4. Use a child theme – Hybrid approach

What is Fundations?

Fundations is a self-hosted crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising plugin for WordPress. Unlike platforms like GoFundMe or JustGiving, Fundations lets you run your fundraising directly on your own website — giving you complete control over your data, branding, and donor relationships.

Who is Fundations for?

Fundations is perfect for:

  • Nonprofits & Charities – Run unlimited campaigns without per-donation fees
  • Schools & Universities – Student fundraisers, class trips, sports equipment
  • Churches & Religious Organizations – Building funds, mission trips, community projects
  • Sports Clubs & Teams – Equipment, travel, tournaments
  • Community Organizations – Local causes, neighborhood projects
  • Medical & Personal Causes – Medical bills, family emergencies
  • Events – Marathons, walks, galas with peer-to-peer pages
  • Businesses – Crowdfunding products or projects

What types of fundraising does Fundations support?

TypeDescriptionExample
Single CampaignOne fundraising pageMedical fundraiser
Peer-to-PeerSupporters create their own pagesMarathon runners raising for a charity
Team FundraisingGroups compete to raise the mostSchool class competition
Parent-ChildMain campaign with sub-campaignsOrganization with multiple projects
OngoingNo end dateGeneral donations
Time-LimitedDeadline-basedEvent-specific campaign

Why choose Fundations over GoFundMe or JustGiving?

FactorFundationsGoFundMe/JustGiving
OwnershipYou own everythingThey own the platform
Platform FeesNone0-5% per donation
Payment FeesOnly processor feesProcessor + platform fees
Branding100% your brandTheir branding everywhere
DataAll data stays with youThey control your donor data
CustomizationUnlimitedVery limited
DonorsDirect relationshipPlatform intermediary
SEOBuilds your website trafficTraffic stays on their platform

Is Fundations really free?

Yes! The core Fundations plugin is completely free with no limits on:

  • Number of campaigns
  • Number of donations
  • Amount raised
  • Number of fundraisers

You only pay for:

  • Your web hosting (you need this anyway)
  • Payment processor fees (Stripe ~2.9%, Mollie ~1.8%)
  • Optional: Fundations Pro for advanced features

What’s the difference between Free and Pro?

FeatureFreePro
Unlimited Campaigns
30+ Gutenberg Blocks
Action Wizard
Frontend Editing
Parent-Child Campaigns
User Dashboard
Mollie Payments
WooCommerce Checkout
PayPal/Stripe (via WooCommerce)
GDPR Privacy Tools
QR Codes
Email Notifications
Platform Tip Collection
Advanced Reports & CSV Export
CRM Integrations (8+)
Automation Rules
Integration Logging
Priority Support

Can I try before I buy Pro?

Absolutely. Start with the free version — it’s fully functional. Upgrade to Pro when you need advanced features like integrations, automation, or detailed reporting.

How does Fundations compare to GiveWP?

Both are WordPress donation plugins, but with different focuses:

AspectFundationsGiveWP
FocusPeer-to-peer & crowdfundingGeneral donations
Peer-to-PeerBuilt-inRequires add-on
Campaign PagesFull campaign systemBasic forms
Progress BarsMultiple stylesSingle style
Team FundraisingNative supportLimited
Block Editor30+ blocksFewer blocks
PricingFree + ProFree + many add-ons

How does Fundations compare to Charitable?

AspectFundationsCharitable
Campaign TypesP2P, Team, Parent-ChildBasic campaigns
Frontend CreationAction WizardLimited
Modern UIBlock Editor nativeClassic PHP templates
IntegrationsPro includes 8+Individual add-ons

Can Fundations replace my current crowdfunding platform?

Yes! If you’re currently using:

  • GoFundMe/JustGiving – Save on fees, own your data
  • Classy – Get similar P2P features at lower cost
  • Givebutter – Self-hosted alternative
  • GiveWP/Charitable – Modern block-based alternative

Is Fundations suitable for large organizations?

Yes! Fundations scales with your WordPress hosting. Organizations running hundreds of campaigns and processing thousands of donations use Fundations successfully. For enterprise needs, pair with quality managed WordPress hosting.

What does Fundations cost?

Free Plugin: €0 – forever free with no feature limits

Pro Plugin:

  • Annual license for advanced features
  • Check getfundations.com for current pricing
  • Includes all Pro features and priority support

Are there any transaction fees?

Fundations charges: €0 per transaction

Payment processors charge:

  • Mollie: ~1.8% + €0.25 (varies by method)
  • Stripe: ~2.9% + €0.30 (via WooCommerce)
  • PayPal: ~2.9% + €0.30 (via WooCommerce)

Compare that to GoFundMe’s 2.9% + €0.30 + optional platform tip!

What’s the total cost of ownership?

Minimum Setup (everything free except hosting):

  • Hosting: €5-20/month
  • Fundations: Free
  • Payment fees: ~2-3% per donation

Professional Setup:

  • Quality hosting: €20-50/month
  • Fundations Pro: Annual license
  • Payment fees: ~2-3% per donation
  • Email service: Optional (Mailchimp free tier)

Can I offset costs with tip collection?

Yes! Pro’s tip collection feature lets donors add an optional platform tip:

  • “Add €2 to cover platform costs”
  • Percentage-based: “Add 5% to support operations”
  • 100% of tips go to you

Many organizations cover all costs through optional donor tips.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes, Fundations Pro comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. If it’s not right for you, contact us for a full refund.

Core Features

How do I create a campaign?

Admin (Backend):

  1. Fundations → Add New
  2. Add title and content blocks
  3. Set meta information (goal, deadline)
  4. Publish or schedule

User (Frontend):

  1. Navigate to Action Wizard page
  2. Complete wizard steps
  3. Submit
  4. Pending review or auto-published

Can I schedule campaigns to start in the future?

Yes! Use WordPress’s built-in scheduling:

  1. Set publish date in the future
  2. Campaign won’t be visible until then
  3. Perfect for coordinated launches

How do status options work?

StatusMeaningAccepts Donations?
ActiveCampaign is live✅ Yes
PendingAwaiting approval❌ No
ExpiredPast deadlineConfigurable
CompletedMet goalConfigurable
CancelledTerminated❌ No

Can I extend a campaign deadline?

Yes! Options include:

  • Admin extends via edit screen
  • User extends via frontend (if enabled)
  • Automatic extension settings

What happens when a campaign ends?

Configurable behavior:

  • Show as expired – Page visible, donations closed
  • Hide completely – Removed from archives
  • Keep accepting – Continue after deadline
  • Redirect – Send to thank you page

Can I moderate user-created campaigns?

Yes! Admin tools include:

  • Pending status for new campaigns
  • Approve/reject workflow
  • Edit any campaign
  • Content moderation settings
  • User role restrictions

How do I feature campaigns?

  • Use WordPress “Featured” taxonomy
  • Pin to top of archives
  • Create featured campaign sections
  • Highlight in navigation

What payment methods are supported?

Built-in (Mollie):

  • iDEAL (Netherlands)
  • Bancontact (Belgium)
  • Credit/Debit Cards
  • PayPal
  • SEPA Direct Debit
  • Klarna
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • And more…

Via WooCommerce:

  • Stripe (Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
  • PayPal
  • Square
  • Authorize.net
  • 100+ other gateways

Which payment processor should I choose?

If You’re In…Recommended
EuropeMollie (best rates, easy setup)
USA/CanadaStripe via WooCommerce
UKStripe or Mollie
WorldwideStripe via WooCommerce

How fast do I receive funds?

Depends on processor:

  • Mollie: 1-2 business days
  • Stripe: 2-7 business days (varies by country)
  • PayPal: Immediate to PayPal account

Are there any hidden fees?

Fundations charges: €0

Payment processors charge their standard fees:

  • Transaction percentages (1.8-3.5%)
  • Per-transaction fees (€0.25-0.30)
  • Potential currency conversion fees

No hidden fees from Fundations ever.

Can donors cover transaction fees?

Not built-in currently, but workarounds:

  • Mention in campaign description
  • Add suggested amounts that account for fees
  • Use tip collection (Pro) to offset costs

Can donors choose to pay in installments?

Not native recurring support yet, but:

  • Klarna (via Mollie) offers pay-later options
  • Donors can make multiple donations
  • Future feature: recurring donations

What currencies are supported?

Any currency your payment processor supports:

  • EUR, USD, GBP, CAD, AUD, etc.
  • Set default currency in settings
  • Payment processor handles conversion

Is it PCI compliant?

Yes! Fundations never handles card data:

  • Redirects to payment processor
  • No card numbers stored
  • Payment processor handles PCI compliance
  • You see only: amount, status, reference

Can donors get refunds?

Process refunds through:

  1. Log into payment processor dashboard
  2. Find the transaction
  3. Issue partial or full refund
  4. Status updates in Fundations

What blocks are included?

Campaign Display (7 blocks):

BlockPurpose
Progress BarHorizontal progress indicator
Circular ProgressRound progress dial
Goal AmountDisplay target amount
Raised AmountShow collected amount
PercentageProgress percentage
Days RemainingCountdown to deadline
Closed NoticeEnded campaign message

Campaign Content (6 blocks):

BlockPurpose
GalleryImage gallery with slider
UpdatesTimeline of campaign updates
DescriptionCampaign story content
Featured ImageHero image display
DonorsList of supporters
QR CodeShareable QR code

Campaign Actions (5 blocks):

BlockPurpose
Donation FormAccept donations
Checkout ButtonDirect donate button
Edit ButtonFrontend edit link
Claim ActionClaim unclaimed campaigns
Campaign Action ButtonMulti-purpose button

Team & Hierarchy (6 blocks):

BlockPurpose
Child ActionsList sub-campaigns
Campaign MembersDisplay team
Top MembersLeaderboard
Group AssignmentTeam assignment
StatsFull creator info
Stats MiniCompact creator info

User Account (4 blocks):

BlockPurpose
Auth FormLogin/Register
User Profile SettingsAccount settings
User InfoDisplay user data
Logout ButtonSign out

Layout (6 blocks):

BlockPurpose
Action WizardCampaign creator
Archive LayoutGrid view
Archive ListList view
Full LayoutComplete template
Donation Thank YouPost-donation page
Donation MessageDonor messages

Can I build custom page layouts?

Yes! Use the Block Editor to:

  • Arrange blocks anywhere
  • Create multi-column layouts
  • Add standard WordPress blocks
  • Mix Fundations + other blocks

How do I match my brand colors?

Each block supports:

  • Text color settings
  • Background colors
  • Accent/highlight colors
  • Custom CSS classes

Plus global settings for:

  • Primary/secondary colors
  • Button styles
  • Progress bar colors

Can I remove blocks I don’t need?

Yes:

  • Simply don’t add unwanted blocks
  • Use Block Editor visibility controls
  • Create minimal templates

Do donors need to create accounts?

No! Guest donations are fully supported:

  • Enter name, email, address
  • Complete donation
  • No account required

Optional registration for:

  • Creating campaigns
  • Viewing donation history
  • Managing profile

How does user registration work?

Users can register through:

  • Auth Form block (login + register tabs)
  • Auto-registration when creating campaigns
  • WooCommerce checkout (if enabled)
  • Standard WordPress registration

Can users manage their own campaigns?

Yes! Registered users can:

  • Create campaigns (via Action Wizard)
  • Edit their campaigns (frontend)
  • View their campaign dashboard with progress stats
  • See recent donors displayed on campaign pages
  • Update profile information

With Pro:

  • View detailed donation reports
  • See full donation history with filters
  • Export donation data to CSV

What about social login?

Not built-in, but compatible with:

  • WordPress social login plugins
  • WooCommerce social login
  • One-click registration extensions

How do I manage user permissions?

Use WordPress roles:

RoleCan CreateCan Edit OwnCan Edit All
Subscriber
Contributor✅ (pending)
Author
Editor
Admin

What emails does Fundations send?

EmailRecipientTrigger
Donation ConfirmationDonorAfter donation
New Donation AlertCampaign creatorWhen they receive donation
Welcome EmailNew userAccount registration
Campaign ConfirmationCreatorAfter creating campaign
Expiration WarningCreatorBefore campaign ends
Campaign ExpiredCreatorWhen campaign ends

Can I customize email templates?

Yes! Customize in Settings:

  • Subject lines
  • Email content
  • Placeholders (name, amount, etc.)
  • Logo and branding
  • Colors

Can I disable certain emails?

Yes, each email type has an enable/disable toggle.

Do emails include tax receipt information?

You can add receipt text to templates:

  • Organization name and tax ID
  • Receipt language
  • Date and amount placeholders

Why aren’t emails being delivered?

Common issues:

  • Server mail restrictions
  • Spam filtering
  • Use an SMTP plugin (recommended):
    • WP Mail SMTP
    • Post SMTP
    • FluentSMTP

What does the donation process look like?

  1. Discover – Donor finds campaign
  2. Learn – Reads story, sees progress
  3. Decide – Chooses amount
  4. Donate – Fills form, proceeds to payment
  5. Pay – Completes via Mollie/WooCommerce
  6. Confirm – Returns to thank you page
  7. Receipt – Gets confirmation email
  8. Share – Optionally shares with others

How long does donating take?

Typical donation: 1-2 minutes

  • Select amount
  • Enter details
  • Complete payment
  • Done!

Can donors leave messages?

Yes! Options:

  • Message field on donation form
  • Display messages on campaign (Donation Message block)
  • Messages in admin/reports

Can donors share on social media?

Every campaign includes:

  • Shareable permalink
  • Social share buttons
  • QR code generation
  • Open Graph optimization for link previews

What happens if payment fails?

  • Donor sees clear error message
  • Can retry immediately
  • Pending donation logged for admin
  • No charge on failed payments

How do donors get receipts?

Automatic email receipt includes:

  • Donation amount
  • Date and time
  • Campaign name
  • Payment reference
  • Your organization details (configurable)

Can I add tax-deductible language?

Yes! Customize donation confirmation email to include:

  • Tax ID / Registration number
  • “Tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law”
  • Required legal language for your jurisdiction

Can donors access past receipts?

If registered, users can:

  • View donation history in dashboard
  • See all past contributions
  • Access original emails

How do I batch-print annual statements?

Export donations to CSV (Pro), then:

  • Use mail merge for statements
  • Import to accounting software
  • Generate PDF receipts with templates

Can donors give anonymously?

Yes! Donors can choose to:

  • Hide their name publicly
  • Still provide info for receipts
  • Appear as “Anonymous” in donor lists

What information is stored for anonymous donations?

Stored but hidden:

  • Real name
  • Email
  • Address
  • Phone

Public display:

  • “Anonymous”
  • Donation amount (optional to hide)

Who can see anonymous donor details?

  • Campaign admins always see real info
  • Hidden from public donor lists
  • Available in reports and exports

Pro Features

What integrations are available?

IntegrationTypeUse Case
MailchimpEmail MarketingNewsletter subscriptions, segments
BrevoEmail + CRMContact sync, automations
ActiveCampaignMarketing AutomationDrip campaigns, tagging
HubSpotCRMFull donor profiles, deals
WP FusionCRM BridgeConnect to 100+ CRMs
ZapierAutomationConnect to 5000+ apps
Custom WebhooksAPIAny custom integration

How hard is it to set up integrations?

Most take 5-10 minutes:

  1. Get API key from service
  2. Enter credentials in Fundations
  3. Test connection
  4. Map fields
  5. Enable automation rules

What data can I sync?

Map any donation field to integrations:

  • Donor name and email
  • Donation amount
  • Campaign details
  • Custom fields
  • Creator information

Can I add donors to different lists based on amount?

Yes! With automation rules:

  • IF donation > €100 THEN add to “Major Donors” list
  • IF donation < €25 THEN add to “Prospects” list
  • IF first donation THEN add “New Donor” tag

How do I connect to Salesforce?

Use WP Fusion integration (connects Fundations to WP Fusion to Salesforce).

Or use Zapier:

  • Zapier connects Fundations to Salesforce
  • Trigger: New donation
  • Action: Create/update Salesforce contact

What reports are available?

Donation Reports:

  • All donations list
  • Filter by date range
  • Filter by campaign
  • Filter by status
  • Search by donor

Campaign Reports:

  • Per-campaign statistics
  • Progress tracking
  • Donor counts
  • Average donation

Can I export data?

Yes! Export to CSV:

  • All donations
  • Filtered selections
  • Complete donor information
  • Campaign metadata

What metrics can I track?

MetricDescription
Total RaisedSum of completed donations
Donation CountNumber of donations
Average DonationMean donation amount
Donor CountUnique donors
Goal ProgressPercentage to goal
Conversion RateViews vs donations

Can I create custom reports?

Export CSV and use:

  • Excel/Google Sheets
  • Tableau
  • Power BI
  • Your preferred analytics tool

Is there real-time tracking?

Yes! Dashboard shows:

  • Live donation feed
  • Today’s total
  • Recent activity
  • Goal progress

What is tip collection?

Optional “platform tip” donors can add to support your operations:

Your donation: €50.00
Add a tip to support [Organization]: €5.00
Total: €55.00

How do I set up tips?

  1. Enable in Pro settings
  2. Choose tip type:
    • Fixed amounts (€1, €2, €5)
    • Percentages (5%, 10%, 15%)
    • Custom amount
  3. Write tip message
  4. Enable/disable pre-selection

Are tips taxable differently?

Consult your tax advisor. Tips may be:

  • General revenue vs charitable donations
  • Different reporting requirements
  • Subject to different tax treatment

How much can tips generate?

Organizations report 10-30% tip participation:

  • €50,000 in donations
  • 20% tip rate at €2 average
  • = ~€2,000 in tips

Can significantly offset operational costs!

What are automation rules?

If-this-then-that rules that trigger on events:

WHEN: Donation completed
IF: Amount >= €100
THEN: Add to HubSpot + Tag "Major Donor"

What events can trigger rules?

TriggerDescription
Donation CreatedNew donation received
Donation CompletedPayment confirmed
Campaign CreatedNew campaign made
Campaign ClaimedGuest campaign claimed
Campaign ExpiredDeadline passed

What actions can rules perform?

  • Add contact to CRM
  • Add/remove tags
  • Add to email list
  • Trigger webhook
  • Update custom fields
  • Send to Zapier

Can I delay actions?

Yes! Schedule actions for later:

  • “After 1 hour”
  • “After 3 days”
  • “After 1 week”

Perfect for follow-up sequences.

Can I have multiple rules per trigger?

Yes! Unlimited rules, processed in order:

  1. Add to main list
  2. Tag by donation amount
  3. Trigger welcome email via Zapier
  4. Update CRM record

Design & Branding

Can I match my brand?

Absolutely! Customize:

  • Colors throughout
  • Logo in emails
  • Typography (via theme)
  • Button styles
  • Progress bar appearance
  • Layout and structure

Can I add my own CSS?

Yes:

  • Additional CSS in Customizer
  • Custom CSS classes on blocks
  • Theme stylesheet modifications
  • Child theme for complex changes

Can I use my own images?

Yes:

  • Featured images per campaign
  • Gallery images
  • Background images
  • Logo for emails

All via WordPress media library.

Can I customize the donation form?

Configuration options:

  • Which fields to show
  • Required vs optional fields
  • Preset donation amounts
  • Currency display
  • Submit button text
  • Privacy notice
  • Marketing consent checkbox

Can I add custom fields?

Basic custom fields available. For advanced needs:

  • Use Pro automation to capture
  • Add via code (hooks)
  • Request feature for future release

Is Fundations mobile-friendly?

Yes! Fully responsive:

  • All blocks adapt to screen size
  • Mobile-optimized donation forms
  • Touch-friendly interface
  • Fast loading

Does the donation form work on mobile?

Perfectly:

  • Large touch targets
  • Mobile-optimized inputs
  • Payment processors have mobile UX
  • Apple Pay / Google Pay support

Can fundraisers manage campaigns on mobile?

Yes:

  • Frontend editing works on mobile
  • Dashboard accessible on phone
  • Notifications via email

What about QR codes?

QR codes generated for each campaign:

  • Mobile users scan to donate
  • Print for offline promotion
  • Perfect for events
  • Link directly to campaign

Does Fundations support multiple languages?

Yes! Fully translatable:

  • Core plugin translated
  • User-facing strings
  • Admin interface
  • Block editor text

What languages are included?

LanguageStatus
English✅ Complete
Dutch (Nederland)✅ Complete
German✅ Complete
Spanish✅ Complete
French✅ Complete

Can I add my own translations?

Yes:

  1. Use Loco Translate plugin
  2. Edit .po/.mo files
  3. Override specific strings
  4. Contribute to WordPress.org translations

Can I run campaigns in multiple languages?

  • WPML integration (via blocks)
  • Polylang compatible
  • Separate campaigns per language
  • Multilingual theme support

What currencies are supported?

Any currency your payment processor accepts:

  • EUR, USD, GBP, CAD, AUD, CHF, SEK, NOK, DKK, etc.
  • Right-to-left currency display
  • Symbol positioning options

Fundraising

Is Fundations suitable for registered nonprofits?

Absolutely! Fundations is used by nonprofits worldwide for:

  • Annual giving campaigns
  • Capital campaigns
  • Event fundraising
  • Peer-to-peer fundraising
  • Grant matching campaigns
  • Emergency appeals

Can donors get tax receipts?

Fundations stores all donation data needed for tax receipts:

  • Donor name and address
  • Donation amount and date
  • Payment reference

For automated tax receipts, you can:

  • Use the email templates (customize with your tax ID)
  • Integrate with accounting software via Pro integrations
  • Export CSV and generate receipts manually

How do we handle matching gifts?

While Fundations doesn’t have built-in matching gift lookup, you can:

  • Add matching gift information to campaign descriptions
  • Use custom fields to track matched donations
  • Integrate with Double the Donation via Zapier (Pro)

Can we run year-end giving campaigns?

Yes! Fundations is perfect for year-end appeals:

  • Create time-limited campaigns with deadlines
  • Show countdown timers (Days Remaining block)
  • Set up peer-to-peer pages for board members
  • Track progress toward goals

How do we report to our board?

Pro’s Advanced Reports provide:

  • Total donations by period
  • Campaign-by-campaign breakdown
  • Average donation size
  • Donor counts
  • CSV export for board presentations

What is peer-to-peer fundraising?

Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising lets your supporters create their own fundraising pages that contribute to your main campaign:

School Building Fund (Main Campaign) - Goal: €100,000
├── Class 5A Page - Raised: €5,000
├── Class 5B Page - Raised: €4,500
├── Teacher Smith's Page - Raised: €2,000
└── Parent Council Page - Raised: €8,000

How do I enable peer-to-peer campaigns?

  1. Create a main parent campaign
  2. Enable “Allow child campaigns” option (or set parent-child structure)
  3. Share the link to create sub-campaigns
  4. Supporters create pages via Action Wizard
  5. Their donations roll up to main campaign total

Can participants compete against each other?

Yes! Use leaderboard features:

  • Top Members Block – Shows top fundraisers
  • Child Actions Block – Lists team pages with amounts
  • Gamification through friendly competition

How do teams track their progress?

Each team/individual page shows:

  • Personal goal and progress
  • Contribution to main campaign
  • Position on leaderboard
  • Number of donors
  • Recent donations

Can I limit who can create fundraising pages?

Yes, control via settings:

  • Require user registration
  • Admin approval for new pages
  • Role-based permissions
  • Domain restrictions for organization emails

What about corporate team challenges?

Perfect use case! Create:

  • Main corporate campaign
  • Department sub-campaigns
  • Individual employee pages
  • Leaderboard for competition
  • Total company impact tracking

Can students create their own fundraising pages?

Yes! Options for schools:

For Older Students:

  • Students create accounts
  • Use Action Wizard to create pages
  • Admin approval before publishing

For Younger Students:

  • Teachers create pages on behalf of students
  • Parents manage pages for children
  • Class-level pages only

How do schools typically use Fundations?

PurposeSetup
Class TripClass page with student sub-pages
Sports EquipmentTeam campaign
Playground UpgradeSchool-wide P2P
GraduationYear group campaign
Art/Music ProgramsDepartment campaigns
ScholarshipsOngoing donation page

Can we track by classroom/grade?

Yes! Use parent-child structure:

School Campaign
├── Grade 5
│ ├── Class 5A
│ └── Class 5B
├── Grade 6
│ ├── Class 6A
│ └── Class 6B

How do we communicate with parents?

  • Shareable campaign links
  • QR codes for newsletters
  • Email notifications (with consent)
  • Embed donation forms in school website

Is Fundations safe for school use?

Yes:

  • No donor financial data stored (handled by payment processor)
  • Admin approval for content
  • GDPR compliant with parental consent options
  • No student personal information required

How do churches use Fundations?

Campaign TypeExample
Building FundNew church construction
Mission TripsYouth mission travel
Community OutreachFood bank, shelter support
Ministry SupportSpecific ministry funding
Emergency ReliefDisaster response
EquipmentSound system, chairs
Special EventsChristmas, Easter programs

Can we accept tithes and offerings online?

Yes, but consider the approach:

For General Giving:

  • Create an “Ongoing Donations” campaign
  • No goal or deadline
  • Simple donation form

For Specific Funds:

  • Building fund campaign
  • Mission fund campaign
  • Youth ministry campaign

How do we set up mission trip fundraising?

  1. Create main mission trip campaign
  2. Enable team members to create personal pages
  3. Each missionary raises from their network
  4. All funds contribute to trip total
  5. Track individual and group progress

Can congregation members see donation amounts?

You control visibility:

  • Show/hide donor names
  • Show/hide amounts
  • Allow anonymous donations
  • Private vs public donor lists

How do we handle designated giving?

  • Create specific campaigns for each fund
  • Use custom fields to capture designation
  • Donations route to correct campaign
  • Track by category in reports

What can sports teams fundraise for?

  • Equipment (uniforms, gear, balls)
  • Travel (tournaments, away games)
  • Facilities (field improvements, training equipment)
  • Registration fees
  • Scholarships
  • Special events

How do player fundraising pages work?

Each player gets their own page:

U14 Tournament Trip - Goal: €10,000
├── Player: Sarah Johnson - Raised: €500
├── Player: Mike Williams - Raised: €450
├── Player: Emma Brown - Raised: €380
└── [More players...]

Can parents donate to their own child’s page?

Yes! Common approaches:

  • Parents donate to offset fees
  • Friends/family support specific player
  • All contributions help the team

How do we track who has met their goal?

  • Progress bars on each page
  • Leaderboard showing completion
  • Reports for coaches/managers
  • Email notifications at milestones

Can teams compete against each other?

Absolutely! Create a club-wide competition:

Club Annual Fundraiser
├── Team A - €5,000
├── Team B - €4,800
├── Team C - €4,200

Track which team raises the most!

Can individuals use Fundations for personal causes?

Yes, Fundations works for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Memorial funds
  • Emergency relief
  • Education costs
  • Adoption expenses
  • Community support

How is this different from GoFundMe?

AspectFundationsGoFundMe
FeesNo platform feePlatform tips/fees
ControlFull controlPlatform controlled
BrandingYour websiteGoFundMe branding
AudienceYour networkGoFundMe traffic
DataYou own itThey own it
CustomizationCompleteLimited

Do I need a WordPress website?

Yes, Fundations requires WordPress hosting. Options:

  • Use your existing website
  • Create a simple site just for fundraising
  • Use managed WordPress hosting (SiteGround, Bluehost, etc.)

Can supporters share the campaign?

Yes! Every campaign includes:

  • Shareable URL
  • QR code for printing
  • Social media sharing
  • Embeddable progress bars

How do I tell my story effectively?

Fundations campaigns support:

  • Rich text descriptions
  • Image galleries
  • Video embeds
  • Updates/timeline
  • Donor testimonials

Can I run event-based fundraising?

Yes! Perfect for:

  • Walkathons
  • Marathons
  • Bike rides
  • Galas
  • Auctions
  • Telethons
  • Giving days

How do I set up a walkathon?

  1. Create main event campaign
  2. Set event date as deadline
  3. Enable participant registration
  4. Participants create personal pages
  5. Track total distance/steps (custom fields)
  6. Celebrate achievements

Can participants track pledges and collected donations?

  • Donation tracking is built-in
  • For pledges, use notes/custom fields
  • Export pledge data for follow-up

How do giving days work?

For 24-hour giving days:

  1. Create campaign with 24-hour window
  2. Set start/end time
  3. Promote before the day
  4. Monitor real-time progress
  5. Send updates throughout

Can we have matching periods?

Manual matching setup:

  1. Create campaign showing match status
  2. Update campaign description with match progress
  3. Use Updates to announce matching achieved
  4. Track manually or via custom fields

Security & Compliance

Is Fundations GDPR compliant?

Yes! Comprehensive GDPR features:

  • ✅ Lawful Basis – Consent checkbox on forms
  • ✅ Data Export – WordPress privacy tools integration
  • ✅ Data Erasure – Anonymization preserving financials
  • ✅ Privacy Policy – Suggested policy text provided
  • ✅ Retention – Automated data cleanup options
  • ✅ Transparency – Clear data collection disclosure

What data does Fundations collect?

From donors:

  • Name (first, middle, last)
  • Email address
  • Phone number (if collected)
  • Address (if collected)
  • Company (if collected)
  • Donation amount
  • Payment method
  • IP address (temporary)
  • Message (optional)
  • Marketing consent

Can donors request their data?

Yes! Via WordPress Tools → Export Personal Data:

  • All donation records exported
  • Contact information
  • Payment references
  • Campaign associations

Can donors request deletion?

Yes! Via WordPress Tools → Erase Personal Data:

  • Personal data cleared
  • Donation records anonymized
  • Financial totals preserved
  • Marketing consent revoked

How long is data retained?

Configurable:

  • IP addresses: Deleted after X days (default: 90)
  • Full records: Optional anonymization after X months
  • Manual deletion always available

Fundations doesn’t set tracking cookies, but:

  • Payment processors may set cookies
  • Use a cookie consent plugin (CookieYes, Complianz)
  • Check payment processor requirements

Is Fundations secure?

Yes! Security practices include:

  • ✅ No financial data storage (card numbers)
  • ✅ Nonce verification on all forms
  • ✅ Input sanitization
  • ✅ Output escaping
  • ✅ SQL injection prevention (prepared statements)
  • ✅ Capability checks
  • ✅ HTTPS enforcement for payments
  • ✅ Regular security audits
  • ✅ WordPress Coding Standards compliance

Is payment information safe?

Absolutely. Fundations never touches card data:

  1. Donor enters amount
  2. Redirects to Mollie/Stripe/PayPal
  3. Payment processed externally
  4. Only status and reference returned

Full PCI compliance via payment processor.

What about spam donations?

Protection layers:

  • Payment processor fraud detection
  • Honeypot fields (optional)
  • reCAPTCHA (via plugins)
  • Minimum donation amounts
  • Rate limiting

How do I keep Fundations secure?

Best practices:

  1. Keep WordPress updated
  2. Keep Fundations updated
  3. Use strong admin passwords
  4. Enable two-factor authentication
  5. Use quality hosting
  6. Regular backups
  7. SSL certificate (required for payments)

Business & Support

How do I purchase a Pro license?

  1. Visit getfundations.com
  2. Choose your license
  3. Complete checkout
  4. Receive license key via email

How do I activate my license?

  1. Install Fundations Pro
  2. Go to Fundations → Settings → License
  3. Enter license key
  4. Click Activate
  5. Status shows “Active”

What if I don’t activate?

Pro features will prompt for activation. Full functionality requires valid license.

Can I move my license to a new site?

Yes:

  1. Deactivate on old site
  2. Activate on new site
  3. Use same license key

What happens when my license expires?

  • Pro features are disabled — integrations, analytics, tip collection stop working
  • Admin notice prompts you to renew
  • Free plugin features continue working
  • Existing donation data remains safe
  • No updates available
  • Support access ends
  • Renew to restore all Pro functionality instantly

Do I get updates?

Active license includes:

  • All version updates
  • New features
  • Security patches
  • Automatic update notifications

Can I migrate from GoFundMe?

Manual migration required:

  1. Export campaign content (copy text, download images)
  2. Create campaigns in Fundations
  3. Redirect donors to new pages
  4. Past donations stay on GoFundMe

Can I migrate from GiveWP?

Data migration possible:

  1. Export GiveWP donors/donations
  2. Import via CSV (custom script)
  3. Recreate campaigns
  4. Contact us for migration assistance

Can I migrate from Charitable?

Similar to GiveWP:

  1. Export existing data
  2. Create new campaigns
  3. Import donor data
  4. Map historical donations

What about migrating between WordPress sites?

Full support:

  1. Export via WordPress Tools
  2. Include media files
  3. Import on new site
  4. Update settings and permalinks

Can I run Fundations alongside another donation plugin?

Yes, but recommended to choose one for simplicity. Running parallel can cause:

  • Donor confusion
  • Duplicate reporting
  • Complex integration

The plugin won’t activate

Check:

  1. PHP version 7.4+
  2. WordPress 5.0+
  3. No conflicting plugins
  4. Memory limit sufficient

Solution:

  • Update PHP
  • Update WordPress
  • Deactivate other plugins to test
  • Increase memory limit

Blocks aren’t appearing

Check:

  1. Using a block theme
  2. Plugin is activated
  3. Clear browser cache
  4. Check console for JS errors

Solution:

  • Switch to block theme (Twenty Twenty-Four)
  • Refresh browser
  • Deactivate/reactivate plugin

Payments aren’t processing

Mollie issues:

  1. Verify API key (live vs test)
  2. Check Mollie dashboard for errors
  3. Verify account completed verification
  4. Test in Mollie test mode first

WooCommerce issues:

  1. Verify WooCommerce is active
  2. Check gateway settings
  3. Test normal WooCommerce checkout

Emails not sending

Common causes:

  1. Server mail restrictions
  2. Spam filtering
  3. Wrong from address

Solutions:

  • Install SMTP plugin
  • Use authenticated sending
  • Check spam folder
  • Verify email addresses

404 errors on campaign pages

Solution:

  1. Go to Settings → Permalinks
  2. Click “Save Changes”
  3. This flushes rewrite rules
  4. Test campaign URL

Campaigns not showing in archives

Check:

  • Campaign status is “active”
  • Not set to private
  • Archive template is correct
  • No query conflicts

Integration not syncing (Pro)

  1. Verify API credentials
  2. Check integration logs
  3. Test connection
  4. Verify field mappings
  5. Check rate limits

Getting “memory exhausted” errors

Solution:

  1. Increase memory_limit in wp-config.php:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
  1. Or contact your host

Minimum Requirements

RequirementMinimumRecommended
WordPress5.06.4+
PHP7.48.0+
MySQL5.68.0+
Theme TypeBlock ThemeFSE Theme

Server Recommendations

memory_limit = 256M
max_execution_time = 300
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 64M

Any quality WordPress host works:

  • SiteGround
  • Bluehost
  • Kinsta
  • WP Engine
  • Cloudways

Avoid: Free hosting, shared budget hosting

Browser Support

  • Chrome (latest 2 versions)
  • Firefox (latest 2 versions)
  • Safari (latest 2 versions)
  • Edge (latest 2 versions)
  • Mobile browsers (iOS Safari, Chrome)

Optional Dependencies

PluginPurpose
WooCommerceAdditional payment gateways
WP Mail SMTPReliable email delivery
Yoast/Rank MathSEO optimization
WPML/PolylangMulti-language

Free Plugin Support

Pro Plugin Support

Feature Requests

  • Submit via GitHub Issues
  • Email feature requests
  • Vote on existing requests
  • Join the roadmap discussion

Bug Reports

Include:

  • WordPress version
  • PHP version
  • Fundations version
  • Steps to reproduce
  • Expected vs actual behavior
  • Error messages/screenshots

Does Fundations take a percentage of donations?

No. Fundations charges zero platform fees.

Can I accept donations without Pro?

Yes. The free version is fully functional.

Is coding required?

No. Everything is point-and-click.

Can I customize everything?

Yes. Full control over design and functionality.

Is my donor data secure?

Yes. Payment data never touches your server.

Can I migrate from another platform?

Yes. Manual migration with data export.

Do donors need accounts?

No. Guest donations fully supported.

Is there a limit on campaigns?

No. Unlimited campaigns forever.

Can I try before buying Pro?

Yes. Start free, upgrade when needed.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes. 14-day guarantee on Pro licenses.