Restrict the locations of eligible donors for your Campaign.
There may be times when you need to limit eligible donors to certain geographic regions due to legal requirements or Campaign-specific restrictions. For example, a Raffle might need to be restricted to a specific state due to gambling laws, or a Sweepstakes might need to be restricted to the U.S. to comply with international regulations. While RallyUp does not offer built-in geographic restrictions at the platform level, you can limit geographic access to your Campaign through your payment processor settings or by adding a required acknowledgment notice at checkout. These approaches ensure compliance with geographic restrictions while maintaining transparency with your donors.
How can I use Stripe or PayPal to restrict donor locations?
While RallyUp does not offer the ability to limit purchases based on location directly, both Stripe and PayPal provide tools to restrict payments from specific geographic areas:
Stripe: Enable Stripe Radar for Fraud Teams and create custom rules to restrict payments based on billing address, IP address, or card country. You can configure rules to block transactions from specific countries, states, or regions. Contact Stripe directly for detailed information about setting up geographic restrictions and to ensure your rules align with your Campaign’s legal requirements.
PayPal: Block certain types of payments through your PayPal account settings, such as those in different currencies or from non-U.S. accounts. PayPal’s blocking options allow you to restrict international transactions or payments from specific countries, providing an additional layer of geographic control for your fundraising Campaigns.
These payment processor restrictions work at the transaction level, preventing donors from completing purchases if their payment information originates from blocked locations.
How do I add a geographic restriction notice to checkout?
Adding a special notice to checkout informs donors of geographic restrictions before they complete their purchase. You can even require donors to acknowledge and accept the terms before finalizing their transaction, creating a legally binding acknowledgment. This approach combines transparency with compliance by clearly communicating restrictions while documenting donor agreement. Follow the instructions in How-to: Add a Notice for Donors During Checkout to implement a required acknowledgment checkbox at checkout. Your notice should clearly state which geographic areas are eligible or restricted, explain why the restriction exists, and require donors to confirm they meet the eligibility requirements before proceeding.
Why would I need to restrict donors by location?
Geographic restrictions are most commonly required for Raffles and Sweepstakes due to varying state and international gambling laws. Many U.S. states prohibit online Raffles or have specific licensing requirements, while Sweepstakes regulations differ between countries. Product shipping limitations may also necessitate geographic restrictions if you’re offering physical prizes that can’t be shipped internationally or to certain regions. Local fundraising events with in-person components naturally limit participation to specific areas. Tax implications for certain donation types or prize winnings may require geographic restrictions based on tax treaty agreements or reporting requirements. Understanding your specific legal obligations helps determine whether geographic restrictions are necessary for your Campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can RallyUp automatically block donors from restricted locations?
No, RallyUp does not have built-in geographic blocking functionality. You must implement restrictions through your payment processor (Stripe or PayPal) or rely on required checkout notices with donor acknowledgment. The payment processor approach provides technical enforcement, while checkout notices provide legal documentation that donors confirmed their eligibility. Many organizations use both methods together for maximum compliance.
Will donors see an error message if they try to donate from a restricted location?
If you configure geographic restrictions through Stripe or PayPal, donors from blocked locations will receive an error message when they attempt to process payment, though the specific message depends on your payment processor’s settings. If you use only a checkout notice without payment processor restrictions, donors can technically complete the transaction, but they must acknowledge the geographic requirements, creating legal documentation of their eligibility confirmation.
How do I determine which locations to restrict?
Consult with legal counsel to understand which geographic restrictions apply to your specific Campaign type and location. For Raffles, research the gambling laws in your state and any states where you plan to promote the Campaign. For Sweepstakes, review federal regulations and international requirements if considering global participation. Your organization’s legal advisor or a fundraising compliance specialist can help you navigate these requirements and determine appropriate geographic restrictions.
Can I restrict donations to just one state or city?
Yes, through payment processor settings, you can restrict transactions to specific states, cities, or even postal codes, though the granularity depends on your payment processor’s capabilities. Stripe Radar offers highly customizable geographic rules, while PayPal’s options are somewhat broader. The checkout notice approach works for any level of geographic specificity—you simply state the requirement and require donor acknowledgment.
What happens if someone from a restricted area donates anyway?
If you have payment processor restrictions enabled, the transaction should be declined before completion. If you rely only on checkout notices and someone from a restricted area acknowledges eligibility falsely and completes a donation, you have legal documentation of their acknowledgment. Depending on your Campaign rules and legal requirements, you may need to refund such donations and potentially exclude the person from prize drawings. Consult legal counsel about proper procedures for handling ineligible donations in your specific situation.