Welcome to WP Charity, a powerful WordPress fundraising plugin that helps non-profits raise money directly on their website. This guide will help you understand how to use the platform as a donor, volunteer, or campaign supporter.
Table of Contents
- Getting Started
- Making Donations
- Becoming a Volunteer
- Understanding Campaigns
- Campaign Features
- Donation Options
- Tracking Progress
- Sharing Campaigns
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support and Contact
- Privacy and Security
Getting Started
WP Charity integrates seamlessly with your organization’s WordPress website, providing a complete fundraising solution. The platform allows you to:
- Make secure donations using WooCommerce’s trusted payment system
- Support specific campaigns that matter to you
- Volunteer to help with campaign management
- Track progress of fundraising goals in real-time
- Share campaigns with your network
Making Donations
Quick Donation Process
- Browse Campaigns: Visit any campaign page to see details about the cause
- Choose Donation Amount: Select from preset amounts or enter a custom amount
- Complete Payment: Use secure checkout powered by WooCommerce
- Receive Confirmation: Get email confirmation and see your donation listed
Donation Types
Fixed Amount Donations
- Pre-set donation amounts (e.g., $25, $50, $100)
- Quick one-click donation process
- Ideal for recurring campaigns
Custom Amount Donations
- Enter any amount you wish to donate
- Perfect for personalized giving
- Minimum donation amounts may apply
Payment Security
- All payments are processed through WooCommerce
- Secure SSL encryption protects your information
- Multiple payment methods supported (cards, PayPal, etc.)
Becoming a Volunteer
Campaign Approval Process
Admin-Controlled Moderation
The website administrator controls whether campaigns require approval:
Draft Mode (Requires Approval)
- 📝 Campaigns are created as drafts
- 👥 Not visible to the public until approved
- ✅ Administrator reviews and publishes campaigns
- 📧 Admin receives email notifications for new campaigns
Auto-Publish Mode (No Approval Required)
- � Campaigns are automatically published
- 👀 Immediately visible to the public
- ⚡ No administrator review required
- 🔄 Real-time campaign creation
How to Become a Volunteer
- Register Your Account: Use the website’s registration form to create your account
- Account Setup: Your account will automatically be created with volunteer privileges
- Access Dashboard: Log in to access the campaign management area
- Start Creating: Begin creating impactful campaigns
Self-Registration Process
- ✅ Open Registration: Anyone can register for a volunteer account
- ✅ Automatic Role Assignment: New users automatically receive volunteer privileges
- ✅ Immediate Access: Start creating campaigns right after registration
- ✅ No Manual Approval: No need to wait for administrator approval to become a volunteer
Volunteer Role Benefits
As a registered volunteer, you can:
- ✅ Create and manage your own campaigns
- ✅ Edit and publish campaign content
- ✅ Upload images and media
- ✅ View campaign analytics and donations
- 🚫 Cannot edit other volunteers’ campaigns (for security)
- 🚫 Cannot delete other volunteers’ campaigns
Understanding Campaigns
Campaign Types
Parent Campaigns
- Main fundraising initiatives (e.g., “Emergency Relief Fund”)
- Set overall fundraising goals
- Can have multiple child campaigns
- Show combined progress from all related campaigns
Child Campaigns
- Specific sub-campaigns (e.g., “School Supplies for District A”)
- Link to a parent campaign
- Contribute to the parent campaign’s overall goal
- Show detailed information about specific needs
Campaign Information
Each campaign page includes:
- Campaign Story: Detailed description of the cause
- Fundraising Goal: Target amount to be raised
- Progress Bar: Visual representation of current progress
- Recent Donations: List of recent supporters
- Campaign Creator: Information about who started the campaign
- Media Content: Photos and videos related to the cause
Campaign Features
Progress Tracking
Visual Progress Bar
- Real-time updates as donations come in
- Percentage completion display
- Amount raised vs. goal target
- Celebration message when goal is reached
Recent Donations List
- Shows latest supporters (expandable list)
- Donation amounts and dates
- Order status (processing, completed, etc.)
- Builds social proof and momentum
Campaign Timeline
Start and End Dates
- Clear timeline for donation periods
- Countdown displays when applicable
- Automatic updates based on campaign status
Media Integration
Photos and Videos
- Campaign images to tell the story
- YouTube video integration
- Tabbed interface for different media types
- Mobile-responsive display
Donation Options
Standard Donations
Simple Process
- Click the “Donate” button
- Choose your amount (if multiple options available)
- Proceed to secure checkout
- Complete payment
Variable Donations
Multiple Options Available
- Different donation levels with various benefits
- Special recognition tiers
- Custom amounts for flexible giving
Example Options:
- Bronze Supporter: $25 – Basic recognition
- Silver Supporter: $50 – Newsletter mention
- Gold Supporter: $100 – Website recognition
- Custom Amount: Enter your preferred amount
Name Your Price (Custom Donations)
When “Custom” option is available:
- Select “Custom” from the dropdown menu
- Enter Amount: Input field appears for your desired donation
- Minimum Requirements: Must meet minimum donation threshold
- Flexible Giving: Perfect for budget-conscious donors
Tracking Progress
Real-Time Updates
Progress Indicators
- Live progress bars update automatically
- Percentage completion calculations
- Amount raised vs. goal comparisons
- Success celebrations when goals are met
Donation History
- Chronological list of all donations
- Donation amounts and timing
- Payment status tracking
- Transparent fundraising progress
Goal Achievement
When Goals Are Reached
- 🎉 Automatic celebration message display
- Continued donation acceptance (if enabled)
- Thank you messages to all supporters
- Option to set stretch goals
Sharing Campaigns
Built-in Sharing
Share Button Features
- Native browser sharing (mobile devices)
- Automatic title and URL inclusion
- One-click sharing to social media
- Email sharing capabilities
Sharing Options
- Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
- Direct Messaging: WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS
- Email: Share via email with friends and family
- Copy Link: Direct URL sharing
Effective Sharing Tips
- Personal Message: Add your own reason for supporting
- Specific Ask: Mention the impact of donations
- Urgency: Share time-sensitive campaign information
- Progress Updates: Share milestones and achievements
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: Is my donation secure? A: Yes! All donations are processed through WooCommerce’s secure payment system with SSL encryption.
Q: Will I receive a receipt? A: Yes, you’ll receive an email confirmation with your donation details that can serve as a receipt.
Q: Can I donate anonymously? A: Donation listings show amounts and dates but don’t publicly display personal information without consent.
Q: Are donations tax-deductible? A: This depends on your organization’s tax status. Check with the organization for specific tax information.
Donation Questions
Q: What payment methods are accepted? A: WooCommerce supports various payment methods including credit cards, PayPal, and other configured options.
Q: Can I set up recurring donations? A: This depends on the specific WooCommerce payment extensions installed by the organization.
Q: What happens if a campaign doesn’t reach its goal? A: Donations are typically still processed and used for the stated purpose, even if the full goal isn’t reached.
Q: Can I cancel my donation? A: Once processed, donations typically cannot be cancelled. Contact the organization directly for specific policies.
Volunteer Questions
Q: How do I become a volunteer? A: Simply register for an account on the website – you’ll automatically receive volunteer privileges to create campaigns.
Q: Do I need administrator approval to become a volunteer? A: No, registration is open and automatic. You can start creating campaigns immediately after registering.
Q: Will my campaigns be published immediately? A: This depends on the website’s settings. Campaigns may require administrator approval (draft mode) or be published automatically (auto-publish mode).
Q: Can I edit other people’s campaigns? A: No, volunteers can only edit campaigns they created, ensuring security and accountability.
Q: What can I do as a volunteer? A: Create campaigns, upload media, write content, and manage your own fundraising initiatives.
Technical Questions
Q: Why is the Donate button disabled? A: For variable donations, you must select all required options before the button becomes active.
Q: The page isn’t loading properly. What should I do? A: Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or contacting the website administrator.
Q: Can I donate from my mobile device? A: Yes! The platform is fully responsive and optimized for mobile donations.
Q: I’m having trouble with the custom amount field. A: Ensure you’re entering a valid number above the minimum amount. The field requires at least $0.01.
Support and Contact
Getting Help
Technical Issues
- Clear browser cache and cookies
- Try a different browser or device
- Disable browser extensions temporarily
- Contact website administrator
Donation Problems
- Check your payment method details
- Verify minimum donation requirements
- Ensure all required fields are selected
- Contact customer support
Campaign Questions
- Reach out to campaign creators directly
- Contact the organization for general inquiries
- Use the website’s contact form for support
Best Practices
For Donors
- Double-check donation amounts before submitting
- Keep email confirmations for your records
- Share campaigns with your network
- Follow up on campaign progress
For Volunteers
- Write compelling, honest campaign descriptions
- Use high-quality images and videos
- Set realistic, achievable goals
- Engage with supporters and provide updates
- Thank donors promptly and personally
- Check if campaigns require approval or publish automatically
Privacy and Security
Data Protection
- Personal information is protected according to privacy policies
- Payment data is secured through industry-standard encryption
- Donation amounts may be visible to encourage others
- Contact information is kept confidential
Safe Donating
- Always verify you’re on the official website
- Look for secure connection indicators (HTTPS/SSL)
- Use trusted payment methods
- Keep records of your donations
- Report any suspicious activity
Thank you for supporting our fundraising efforts! Your contributions make a real difference in our community.