Learn why RallyUp requires donation collection for all campaigns. Discover how the platform works for nonprofits and what alternatives exist for awareness-only needs.
RallyUp is an online fundraising platform exclusively designed for nonprofit organizations and charity groups to collect donations. You cannot disable payment collection or create non-fundraising Campaigns because the platform’s core functionality centers on helping organizations raise funds for their cause. This guide explains why donation collection is required and what alternatives exist for awareness-only initiatives.
Key Takeaways
✓ RallyUp requires active donation collection for all Campaigns.
✓ The platform is exclusively for nonprofit organizations and charity groups.
✓ Payment functionality cannot be disabled.
✓ Campaigns can still raise awareness while collecting donations.
✓ Alternative platforms exist for awareness-only needs.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why RallyUp requires donation collection
- How fundraising supports awareness efforts
- What alternatives exist for awareness-only needs
Understanding RallyUp’s Fundraising Requirement
RallyUp is built exclusively as an online fundraising platform for nonprofit organizations and charity groups. There is no way to disable online payments on the platform since the core mission is to help organizations raise funds for their cause. Every Campaign you create must have active fundraising capability enabled.
The platform integrates directly with payment processors like Stripe and PayPal to securely collect donations on behalf of your organization. This payment infrastructure is fundamental to how RallyUp operates and cannot be bypassed or turned off.
→ Learn more: How to Set Up Direct Funds
How does RallyUp’s payment system work?
RallyUp integrates directly with payment processors like Stripe and PayPal to collect donations on behalf of your nonprofit organization. Every Campaign created on the platform must have active payment collection enabled, as this is the fundamental purpose of the service.
When you set up your RallyUp account, you’ll need to connect either a Stripe or PayPal account to receive funds, or set up a Donor Advised Fund through Pledge or GivingStream.
→ Learn more: Understand Direct Funds vs. Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
This connection allows RallyUp to process donations securely and transfer the funds to your organization. The payment processing functionality is embedded into every Campaign type, from Raffles and Auctions to Crowdfunding and Donation Pages.
When should I use RallyUp for my nonprofit?
Use RallyUp when you’re ready to actively fundraise for your organization. RallyUp is ideal when you want to:
- Launch a specific fundraising campaign with a financial goal
- Collect donations for your organization’s ongoing operations
- Run ticketed events that require payment processing
- Manage multiple fundraising activities simultaneously
- Access comprehensive donor management and reporting tools
Before starting your first Campaign, understand: Who Can Use RallyUp to Fundraise
What’s the difference between RallyUp and awareness-only platforms?
RallyUp is a fundraising-focused platform that requires donation collection, while awareness-only platforms like social media or website builders don’t involve financial transactions. If you only need to raise awareness without collecting funds, consider using social media, email marketing, or a basic website instead.
RallyUp vs. Awareness-Only Solutions
| Feature | RallyUp | Social Media | Website Builders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Active fundraising Campaigns | Awareness and engagement | Information sharing |
| Payment collection | Required (cannot disable) | Optional (via third-party) | Optional (via third-party) |
| Key benefit | Comprehensive fundraising tools | Wide organic reach | Complete content control |
| Limitation | Must collect donations | Limited fundraising features | Requires setup and maintenance |
| Ideal use case | Nonprofits raising funds | Building community awareness | Establishing online presence |
The key distinction is that RallyUp provides specialized fundraising features like donor management, automated receipts, fundraising analytics, and compliance tools that awareness platforms lack. However, this specialization requires that all Campaigns have active fundraising capability.
You can also explore different Campaign types available. Learn how in Understand RallyUp Fundraising Components
Can I raise awareness on RallyUp even if people don’t donate?
Yes, while payment collection must be enabled, your RallyUp Campaigns can still raise awareness for your cause. Features like social sharing buttons allow supporters to spread your message even if they cannot donate at the moment, increasing your overall visibility and reach.
RallyUp Campaigns help you raise awareness through:
- Social sharing capabilities that broadcast your cause to wider audiences
- Campaign Pages that tell your organization’s story
- Updates and announcements that keep supporters engaged
- Visual content that illustrates your mission and impact
- Donor feeds that showcase community support
The greater your Campaign’s outreach, the greater its overall impact will be. Even supporters who cannot donate right now can amplify your message to others who might contribute.
What are my options if I don’t want to collect donations?
If you need an awareness-only solution without fundraising, RallyUp is not the right fit. Consider alternative tools like:
Social Media Platforms
- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter for community building
- LinkedIn for professional networking and visibility
- TikTok or YouTube for video content and storytelling
Email Marketing Services
- Mailchimp, Constant Contact for regular updates
- Build email lists to nurture supporter relationships
- Share stories and impact without payment requirements
Free Website Builders
- WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace for information hubs
- Complete control over content and design
- Add payment options later when ready to fundraise
Why This Matters for Your Organization
Understanding RallyUp’s fundraising requirement helps you:
- Make informed decisions about which platform to use
- Set realistic expectations for your Campaign setup
- Plan appropriate strategies that combine fundraising with awareness
- Avoid wasting time on a platform that doesn’t fit awareness-only needs
- Leverage RallyUp’s full fundraising capabilities when you’re ready to collect donations
The platform’s focus on fundraising ensures robust payment processing, donor management, and fundraising-specific features that awareness-only platforms lack. This specialization means you get powerful tools specifically designed for nonprofit fundraising rather than generic solutions that try to serve multiple purposes.
When you’re ready to actively raise funds, RallyUp provides everything you need in one integrated platform. This includes payment processing, donor receipting, campaign management, reporting, and compliance tools all purpose-built for nonprofit fundraising.
Common Misconceptions About RallyUp Payment Requirements
Misconception: “I can create a free Campaign just for visibility”
Reality: All RallyUp Campaigns must have active fundraising capability. The platform is purpose-built for donation collection and cannot function as an awareness-only tool.
Misconception: “I can disable payments after setting up my Campaign”
Reality: Payment collection is a core feature that cannot be turned off at any point during your Campaign. The fundraising functionality is integrated throughout the platform.
Misconception: “RallyUp can be used for personal fundraising without donations”
Reality: RallyUp is exclusively for registered nonprofits and charity organizations, and always requires fundraising functionality. Individual personal causes cannot use the platform.
Misconception: “I only need to connect a payment processor if someone actually donates”
Reality: You must connect Stripe or PayPal before publishing any Campaign. The payment processor connection is a requirement for launching campaigns, not an optional feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use RallyUp without collecting donations?
No, RallyUp is specifically designed as a fundraising platform for nonprofits and requires donation collection to be enabled. There is no way to disable online payments since the platform’s core purpose is to help organizations raise funds.
Why does RallyUp require fundraising?
RallyUp is built exclusively as an online fundraising platform for nonprofit organizations and charity groups. The payment collection functionality is central to the platform’s purpose and cannot be turned off. This focus allows RallyUp to provide specialized tools, security, and features specifically designed for nonprofit fundraising.
Can I use RallyUp just to raise awareness without donations?
While RallyUp Campaigns do help raise awareness through features like social sharing, the platform cannot be used solely for awareness without fundraising capability. However, not everyone who sees your Campaign needs to donate to help spread awareness of your cause.
Is RallyUp free if I don’t collect donations?
RallyUp requires active fundraising to use the platform. You cannot create a Campaign that doesn’t collect donations, so the question of fees only applies when fundraising is active. RallyUp’s pricing is based on successful fundraising transactions.
Can individuals use RallyUp for personal fundraising?
No, RallyUp cannot be used for personal causes. The platform is exclusively for nonprofit organizations and registered charity groups. This restriction ensures the platform maintains its tax-deductible donation capabilities and nonprofit-focused features.
What happens if I want to stop collecting donations mid-Campaign?
You cannot disable donation collection once a Campaign is live. If you need to stop fundraising, you would need to end the Campaign entirely. Consider carefully planning your Campaign timeline before launching to avoid this situation.
Next Steps
If RallyUp is the right fit for your nonprofit’s fundraising needs:
- Register your organization and create your account.
- Connect your payment processor (Stripe or PayPal, or Donor Advised Funds options available through Pledge or GivingStream).
- Choose your Campaign type based on your fundraising goals.
- Set up your first Campaign with compelling storytelling.
- Launch and promote to your community.
→ Get started: How to Get Started by Creating an Account and Registering Your Organization
If you need awareness-only capabilities without fundraising, explore the alternative platforms mentioned in this guide that better fit non-fundraising objectives.
Remember: RallyUp’s requirement for donation collection ensures you get access to professional-grade fundraising tools specifically designed for nonprofit organizations. When you’re ready to fundraise, RallyUp provides everything you need to succeed.