Ready to make a pledge? This article walks you through everything you need to know, from setting up your pledge to fulfilling it over time.
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The Pledge Experience | Pledge Fulfillment Options
How to Fulfill Your Pledge | Pledge FAQs
The Pledge Experience
Making a pledge is a simple 3-step process. Here's what to expect:
🎯 Step 1: Pledge Details
- Pledge Amount — Enter the total amount you'd like to pledge. You can type in a custom amount or choose from one of the four quick-selection options.
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Pledge Fulfillment Type — Choose how you'd like to make progress toward your pledge. (This selection can't be changed once your pledge has been created, so choose the option that works best for you!)
- Recurring Plan Details (if applicable) — If you go the recurring plan route, you'll choose how much to give each cycle, how often, and when to start. Once everything's filled in, you'll see a summary of your plan, including the total number of contributions it will include.
🔒 Step 2: Verification
- Campaign (and Subcampaign, if applicable) — The campaign details will appear here, pre-filled and locked, so your pledge is attributed correctly.
- Verification Code — Just like the cash giving flow, you'll enter your phone number or email address, or sign in with Google. This connects you to your existing Donor Profile or helps you create a new one.
🎉 Step 3: Donor Information and Submission
- Donor Information — New donors will fill in their name, email address, phone number, and billing address. Returning donors just need to confirm their information looks correct before moving on.
- Pledge Now — This button will show your total pledge amount. Once you press it, your pledge is submitted, and you're all set!
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Thank You Page — Once your pledge is submitted, you'll see 2 action buttons:
- ❤️ Give Towards Your Pledge — Takes you to your organization's donation page so you can start fulfilling your pledge right away! You'll have the option to set up a recurring gift or make a one-time donation.
- 🖥️ Manage Your Pledge — Takes you to the Pledges module in your Donor Profile, where you can keep track of your progress anytime. (You'll also receive a confirmation email with your pledge details.)
Pledge Fulfillment Options
When you visit your pledge campaign page, you'll be asked: "How do you want to make progress towards this pledge?" There are 2 options to choose from.
Recurring Plan
This option is a great fit if you prefer a "set it and forget it" approach — a fixed amount given on a consistent schedule, with no need to make separate one-time gifts. It's also ideal if you plan to start giving after the pledge campaign's Overflow creation date.
A few things to keep in mind:
- 🚫 One-time gifts can't be applied toward the progress of a recurring plan.
- ⚠️ Recurring plans are set up with a fixed amount and frequency at the time of creation, so the recurring gift can't be adjusted retroactively (only canceled if needed).
- Once your pledge is fulfilled, your recurring gift will automatically stop, unless you choose to keep giving after your pledge is complete!
Non-Recurring Plan (Highly Recommended!)
This option is highly recommended for most donors since it offers the greatest flexibility. You can fulfill your pledge through recurring gifts, one-time gifts, or a combination of both. It's also a great choice if you made first-fruits donations before the pledge campaign's Overflow creation date.
- 💡 As long as your gifts share the same campaign (and subcampaign) designation as your pledge, each donation will automatically be attributed to your pledge progress.
- 📈 Noncash donations (e.g., stock, crypto, and DAF) can also be applied to this type of pledge.
How to Fulfill Your Pledge
Recurring Plan
No extra steps are needed! Since your recurring plan is set up alongside your pledge, all donations will automatically be attributed to the your pledge progress. ✅
Non-Recurring Plan
Head to your organization's donation page to make gifts toward your pledge!
- As long as your gifts share the same campaign (and subcampaign) designation as your pledge, each donation will automatically be attributed to your pledge progress. ✅
- One-time gifts can also be given directly through your Donor Profile, via the Give to Pledge button.