Understand: Direct Funds vs. Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
Learn about the differences between RallyUp’s funding options.
When you create a RallyUp fundraising Experience, you’re asked to choose how your organization will receive the funds raised:
- Direct Funds: receive funds through direct deposits to your organization’s Stripe or PayPal account
- Donor Advised Funds: have Pledge or GivingStream collect and distribute funds on your behalf
This article will help you decide which option is best for your organization.
Direct Funds
Direct Funds are the fastest and least expensive way to process and receive the funds you raise. This option requires you to link your organization account to your organization’s Stripe or PayPal account. Your organization can then receive regular direct deposits to its bank account. If your organization doesn’t already have a Stripe or PayPal account, you can easily create one while you're logged into RallyUp.
Registered 501(c)3 organizations may also be eligible for Stripe’s or PayPal's payment processing fee discount.
This Knowledge Base article walks you through Direct Funds setup: How-to: Set Up Direct Funds.
Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
The majority of RallyUp users should select the Direct Funds option, but DAFs offer flexibility for special circumstances, such as:
- Your organization can’t set up a Stripe or PayPal account
- You’re fundraising for an organization but aren’t directly affiliated with them
RallyUp has partnered with Pledge and GivingStream to collect and distribute funds. Pledge is available to U.S. registered 501(c) organizations. If you're fundraising for a U.S. charity organization that is not registered in Pledge’s database, you can apply to use GivingStream. At this time, non-U.S. organizations are not able to use Pledge or GivingStream.
DAFs also come with the following limitations:
- Additional fees
- Waiting period before funds are distributed
- Not eligible for Stripe's or PayPal's discounted nonprofit payment processing rate
Learn more about Pledge and GivingStream here: Understand: Donor Advised Funds (DAFs).
How Long It Takes to Receive Funds
- Stripe and PayPal: Funds are typically transferred to your bank account daily. If you're using Stripe, you can change your payout schedule in your Stripe Dashboard.
- Pledge: Funds will automatically be delivered to the organization(s) within 15 days of the end of each calendar month.
- GivingStream: GivingStream will be automatically notified when your Experience ends. Funds will then be held for 90 days before disbursement to account for canceled payments.
Good to Know
- You can change the way you receive funds at any time. Any changes will be applied to all active Experiences on your account: How-to: Update Your Funding Method.
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