You can create a Fund Hub to accept contributions for just about anything. Here are some ideas of how to use FundBunch:
- Collect contributions for a cause or event (i.e., Student organizations, Heart Walk, sick co-worker, disabled veteran, political campaign contributions,).
- Go in on a purchase with a group of people (Gift for grandparents anniversary, gift for the co-worker who is retiring, pool together for a really nice wedding gift).
- Request contributions in lieu of gifts (i.e., Honeymoon, down payment for a home, Graduation gifts, new bedroom set)
- Use it as a tool to collect funds (team dues, league entry fees, party entry fee costs, homeowner covenants).
- Start a Fund Hub for any reason. The possibilities are endless.
What is a Fund Hub?
A Fund Hub is page you can create in just a few minutes. After that users can visit and contribute. Here are some examples.
Why should I use FundBunch?
Asking for money can be hard. We know. FundBunch makes it easy by setting up a Fund Hub to accept contributions. Plus we give you all the tools to be successful. Users of FundBunch have access to:
- Accept Credit Card payments. No more collecting checks in the mail or making your friends sign up for a PayPal account.
- Refer a Friend – You can upload your contact book and send a personalized email to your network inviting them to contribute.
- Tools to link your site into your social networking site, such as Facebook.
- The FundBunch Success Center, complete with best practices for creating positive Public Relations and ideas on how to be more successful at raising contributions.
- Templates for fliers and Press Releases
- Create Widgets – buttons you can add to your website or blog that will link visitors directly to your Fund Hub.
- Reporting of all contributors, including all fields required for campaign contributions.
- Thank you emails – Templates and distributions lists to send thank you email to contributors.
How do I create a Fund Hub?
It’s easy. You can begin a Fund Hub right from our Home Page. We’ll walk you through the three easy steps from there. Just give your page a title, write a short description, and enter a goal amount. You even get to pick the URL (that’s the web address people type in to go to your site). Then you are ready to invite your friends to contribute to your site!
What makes a Fund Hub successful?
There is no single ingredient to the success of a Fund Hub. Rather it is doing lots of little things well. The most successful fundraisers do the following:
- Tell a compelling story
- Make the first contribution
- Set a clear goal
- Are creative in how they ask for contributions
- Include a picture on their site
- Tell their network about their Fund Hub
- Actively promote their Fund Hub
- Recognize their contributors
- Get momentum and keep it going
Visit the FundBunch Success Center for more ideas.
Are there any fees to use FundBunch?
There are no fees to create a Fund Hub to accept contributions. There are no additional charges to the contributor. Once the Hub owner requests a check to be sent out, FundBunch deducts a 5.75% administrative fee that covers our costs including securing and hosting your site, customer service, e-mail integration tools and more. There is also a $.29 and 2.49% credit card payment processing fee per contribution. For funds with total contributions that fall below $175, FundBunch charges a $10 flat administrative fee, plus payment processing fees. Please see our Terms of Use for more detail, or visit our Fees page to see some samples.
How
much can I customize my Fund Hub? You are the owner of your Fund Hub
and we provide you plenty of flexibility to customize your Fund Hub. You can:
- a photo or image of your choice (sorry, only one
image)
- Write a message to your audience, up to 1,000
characters
- Allow visitors to leave comments on a message board
(optional)
- Recognize individual contributors by displaying their
name and contribution amount (optional)
- Display your fundraising goal (optional)
- Share the total amount of funds raised online
How can I edit my Fund Hub?
Editing your Fund Hub is easy. Just follow these simple steps:
- Log in to FundBunch using your
username (email) and password
- Click on ‘My Account’ located in the
upper right hand corner of the site
- Under the ‘Hub Actions’ column, click
on ‘Edit’ from the options
- Make the desired updates / changes
to Hub settings
- Click the ‘Update Fund Hub’ button
Is there a minimum goal for what I should raise?
The minimum goal that you may set for your Fund Hub is $100. Don’t worry if you don’t get there, but we want to make sure you aren’t setting the bar too low.
You
are asked to provide a goal, even if you are not going to display this because
we have found the most successful fundraisers have set a clear goal, at least
internally.
What if I don’t meet my goal?
Don’t give up! Refer to the FundBunch Success Center for ideas to improve the amount of contributions you are receiving. If you still are short, you can:
- Reach out again to potential contributors and ask them to help close the gap to the goal.
- Extend the time period or end date for contributions. FundBunch allows you to keep your Fund Hub up and running as long as you’d like – as long as you are still getting contributions.
- Ask for your current balance, even if short of your goal.
Is there a minimum amount that someone can contribute?
To make sure that contributions are not primarily going towards payment processing fees, a minimum contribution amount has been set at $10.
Can FundBunch process Corporate Matching Contributions?
Some companies offer employee matching contributions. FundBunch cannot process these matching contributions on behalf of contributors. Contributors should contact the Hub Owner to determine if they will handle the paperwork required for matching contributions.
I created a Fund Hub and have received contributions. How do I get my money?
Once you are logged into FundBunch, got to the ‘My Accounts’ link in the upper right hand corner of the page. From there you can view all your funds and request to have your funds sent to you. FundBunch will mail you a check then just mail a check.
How long does it take for me to get my check?
Checks are sent from FundBunch twice a month – on the 15th and last day of the month. Checks are sent first class from our Payment Processing Center in Arizona, so you should normally receive your check about 3 to 5 business days after it is sent.
How long can I keep my Fund Hub open?
There is no maximum time. Your Fund Hub can stay active until you close the site. However, if no contributions are made for 365 days, FundBunch may determine the site to be inactive. At that time, we would disburse whatever funds are available to you.
Can I setup a Fund Hub if I live outside USA?
At this time, you must live within the United States to create a Fund Hub. Funds will not be distributed to addresses outside of the United States.
Why can’t I access my account?
Make sure that you are using the correct Username (which should be your email address) and password. If that is still not working and you cannot access your account, please contact support@FundBunch.com.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
Don't worry, it happens to all of us. If you forget your password, here's what you need to do:
- From the Home Page, click on the 'I'm new here" link in the upper right hand corner of the page.
Or
you may click on the ‘Login and Password’ link at the bottom of every page on
FundBunch.
- This will take you to the Login / Create Profile / Retrieve Password page.
- Enter your email address in the Retrieve Password page and a new password will be sent to you. We don't have access to your password, so a new one will be randomly generated for you.
You can then use this password to log into your profile.
To then Change your password you will want to:
- Click on 'My Account' located in the upper right hand corner of the page.
- From the 'View My Account' page, click on the 'Manage Profile' link on the left side of the page, under the FundBunch logo.
- There you can change your password to whatever password you choose.
Someone made an inappropriate comment on my message board. How do I remove it?
FundBunch allows you to display a message board on your Fund Hub. Here visitors can leave comments. While an individual must be a registered user of FundBunch to post a comment, we cannot control the appropriateness of the comments they leave. Therefore it is recommended that message boards are only used on Private sites (visitors cannot find your site within the FundBunch Search Functionality) or where you know and trust your visitors. FundBunch does not moderate message board activity. If an inappropriate or offensive comment is left on your message board, you can hide the entire message board by unchecking the 'Display Message Board' checkbox within your 'Edit Your Hub' page (Located from 'My Accounts'). You should then send an email to the FundBunch Administrator and we will work to remove this specific comment.
Why can't I upload my photo?
Is your image too large? Make sure it is no more than 4MB. What type of image are you trying to upload? You can only upload a jpg, png or gif file.
Still having trouble? Feel free to e-mail your image to support@FundBunch.com.
Where is my Fund Hub?
After making your page, FundBunch will send you an email that includes your page URL. If you are having trouble finding the email, be sure to check your spam folder.
You can also find your page by logging into your account. To do this, visit: www.fundbunch.com and click My account in the upper right corner of the page.
How do I close my Fund Hub?
To cancel your Fund Hub, visit the My Account page. From there you can request a distribution of your funds and to close out the account. At that point, FundBunch administrators will close out your account and send you a final check.
If you have not received any contributions, you can email us at support@fundbunch.com and we can close the Hub. The email must come from the owner of the Fund Hub. Otherwise, if a contribution has not been received within 365 days, FundBunch will close out the Hub for you.
Before you close your Hub, be absolutely certain that you do not want to use it again. Once a Hub has been closed, we cannot reopen it and the URL cannot be used again.
What form of payment can I use to make a contribution?
FundBunch accepts MasterCard, VISA, or Discover debit and credit cards.
How do I make a contribution via personal check?
If you prefer to make an offline contribution, please contact the fund owner. FundBunch only processes online contributions.
Are the contributions and information secured?
Yes, FundBunch is committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of data security. Information on our site is protected by encrypting data with Secure Socket Layers. Your payment information is protected with industry-leading technologies and protocols, such as 128-bit Secure Sockets Layers. Our payment processing technology is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which is a set of comprehensive requirements developed by major card brands to facilitate the adoption of consistent data security measures. We renew our compliance every year. On top of that our payment processing technology is compliant with a number of government and industry security initiatives.
Do I get a receipt for my Contribution?
Absolutely! Once your contribution has been processed, you will receive an e-mail receipt. You can print this e-mail for your records.
Is my contribution tax deductible?
We recommend that you consult your tax professional about any accounting, taxation or financial consequences that may pertain to your contribution. If a receipt is needed from the non-profit above the receipt provided by FundBunch, you will need to contact them directly.
Can I get a refund?
Please refer to our terms and conditions. Only in extreme circumstances will FundBunch issue refunds. If you would like a refund, please contact the Hub Owner you made your contribution to and inquire about their refund policy.
Do I need to create an account with FundBunch to make a contribution?
Anyone with credit or debit card issued within the United States can make a contribution. You do not have to create a User Account -although you are welcome too!
Can I make a contribution if I live outside USA?
Yes, you can contribute to a Fund Hub with a MasterCard, Visa, or Discover debit or credit card, if you are located outside the United States, but the card you are using must be issued by a financial institution from within the United State. Please note, all contributions made to a Fund Hub are in US dollars.
What if I suspect a FundBunch site is being used for a fraudulent purpose?
Most of the FundBunch contributions and collections are from within communities. Therefore fraud is sometimes attempted but rarely successful. That being said, FundBunch takes fraud very seriously. If you believe a site has been set up for fraudulent purposes please e-mail us immediately at support@fundbunch.com and put "suspected fraud" in the subject line of the e-mail. FundBunch will perform an internal investigation, freeze payment if necessary and refer applicable abuses to the authorities.
I do not want to be solicited by FundBunch, what should I do?
As a Hub Owner or contributor, you may receive emails to confirm transactions, but FundBunch will not send you marketing correspondence unless you have specifically opted in to these programs. If you receive unwanted email from FundBunch, please send an email to unsubscribe@fundbunch.com