Frequently Asked Questions

Creating an account is simple and free. Click "Sign Up" in the top right corner, enter your email address, create a password, and verify your email. You can also sign up using your Google or Facebook account for faster registration.

Once your account is created, you can start fundraising or making donations immediately. For fundraisers, you'll need to complete identity verification before receiving payouts.

To start a campaign:

1. Log in to your GoldDonate account
2. Click "Start a Campaign" or "Create Campaign"
3. Choose a category that best fits your cause
4. Fill in your campaign details: title, description, goal amount, and end date
5. Add photos or videos to tell your story
6. Complete identity verification (required for payouts)
7. Review and launch your campaign

Your campaign will be reviewed by our team to ensure it meets our guidelines before going live.

When creating a campaign, you'll need to provide:

• Campaign title and description
• Fundraising goal amount
• Campaign end date
• Photos or videos (at least one image is required)
• Your personal information for verification
• Bank account details for receiving payouts
• Government-issued ID for identity verification

All information is kept secure and confidential according to our Privacy Policy.

No, creating a campaign on GoldDonate is completely free. There are no upfront costs or fees to start fundraising.

We charge a 10% platform fee only when you receive donations. This fee covers platform maintenance, operational costs, and our Trust & Safety measures. Note: The 10% platform fee does NOT include bank transfer fees, payment gateway fees, or taxes - these additional fees are covered by the fundraiser.

There are many effective ways to promote your campaign:

• Social Media: Share your campaign link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn
• Email: Send personalized emails to friends, family, and colleagues
• Updates: Post regular updates on your campaign page to keep donors engaged
• Storytelling: Share your personal story and why the cause matters to you
• Community: Reach out to local communities, groups, and organizations
• Media: Contact local news outlets or bloggers who might be interested in your story

Yes, you can edit most aspects of your campaign after it's launched. You can update:

• Campaign description and story
• Photos and videos
• Fundraising goal (you can increase it, but not decrease it below the amount already raised)
• Campaign end date (you can extend it)

However, you cannot change the campaign category or your bank account information after launch. For security reasons, contact support if you need to update these details.

You still receive all the funds raised, even if you don't reach your goal. GoldDonate operates on an "all-or-nothing" model for some campaign types, but most campaigns allow you to keep whatever amount you raise.

If you don't reach your goal, you can:

• Extend your campaign end date to give more time
• Lower your goal (if you haven't raised more than the new goal)
• Use the funds you've raised for your cause
• Start a new campaign with a revised goal

Making a donation is simple:

1. Browse campaigns or search for a specific cause
2. Click on the campaign you want to support
3. Enter your donation amount
4. Choose to donate anonymously or leave a message
5. Enter your payment information (credit card, debit card, or PayPal)
6. Complete the secure checkout process

You'll receive a confirmation email with your donation receipt. All donations are processed securely through our encrypted payment system.

GoldDonate accepts the following payment methods:

• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
• Debit cards
• PayPal (in select regions)
• Bank transfers (for larger donations)
• Apple Pay and Google Pay (on supported devices)

All payments are processed through secure, PCI-compliant payment gateways to ensure your financial information is protected.

Tax deductibility depends on the recipient organization and your location. Generally:

• Donations to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the U.S. are typically tax-deductible
• Donations to personal fundraising campaigns are usually not tax-deductible
• International tax laws vary by country

We provide donation receipts for all contributions. Consult with a tax professional to determine if your donation qualifies for a tax deduction in your jurisdiction.

Yes, you can choose to donate anonymously when making a contribution. When you select this option:

• Your name will not appear on the public campaign page
• The campaign organizer will see your donation amount but not your name
• You'll still receive a receipt for your records
• Your donation will be counted in the campaign total

You can also leave an optional message of support without revealing your identity.

Payout timing depends on several factors:

• Verification Status: You must complete identity verification before receiving payouts
• Standard Payouts ($100+): Automatically transferred within 7-14 days after verification is complete
• Express Payouts ($1,000+): Can request faster transfer of 1-6 days after verification approval (contact support via email)
• First Payout: May take longer due to initial verification requirements

Funds are transferred directly to your verified bank account. You'll receive email notifications at each stage of the payout process.

Identity verification (KYC - Know Your Customer) is a security measure required by financial regulations and our Trust & Safety policies. It helps us:

• Prevent fraud and money laundering
• Protect donors and fundraisers
• Ensure funds reach the intended recipients
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements

To verify your identity, you'll need to provide:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or national ID)
• Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)
• Bank account information for payouts

All information is encrypted and stored securely according to our Privacy Policy.

Yes, the following fees apply:

• Platform Fee: 10% of each donation (charged when donations are received)
• Bank Transfer Fee: Additional fee charged by your bank or financial institution (varies by bank/country)
• Payment Gateway Fee: Additional fee charged by payment processors (varies by payment method)
• Taxes: Applicable taxes based on your country (deducted as required)

Important: The 10% platform fee does NOT include bank transfer fees, payment gateway fees, or taxes. These additional fees are covered by the fundraiser.

For example, if you receive a $100 donation, you'll get approximately $90 after the 10% platform fee, minus any additional bank transfer, payment gateway, and tax fees.

To change your password:

1. Log in to your account
2. Go to "Account Settings" or "Profile"
3. Click on "Security" or "Password"
4. Enter your current password
5. Enter your new password (must be at least 8 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols)
6. Confirm your new password
7. Click "Update Password"

If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it via email.

To update your email address:

1. Go to "Account Settings"
2. Click on "Email" or "Contact Information"
3. Enter your new email address
4. Enter your current password to confirm
5. Click "Update Email"
6. Check your new email inbox for a verification link
7. Click the verification link to confirm the change

Your old email address will remain active until you verify the new one. All future communications will be sent to your new email.

Yes, you can delete your account, but please note:

• If you have an active campaign, you must close it first or transfer it to another account
• If you have pending payouts, you must complete the payout process before deletion
• All your data will be permanently deleted according to our Privacy Policy
• You won't be able to recover your account or data after deletion

To delete your account, go to "Account Settings" → "Privacy" → "Delete Account" and follow the instructions. For assistance, contact support@golddonate.com.

We use a multi-layered verification process:

• Identity Verification: Campaign organizers must provide government-issued ID and proof of address
• Campaign Review: Our team reviews all campaigns before they go live
• Bank Verification: Bank account information is verified before payouts
• Ongoing Monitoring: We continuously monitor campaigns for suspicious activity
• Community Reporting: Users can report concerns about campaigns

Verified campaigns display a verification badge. However, verification doesn't guarantee the outcome or use of funds - always research campaigns before donating.

If you suspect fraudulent activity:

1. Report It: Click the "Report" button on the campaign page
2. Contact Support: Email support@golddonate.com with details
3. Provide Evidence: Include screenshots, links, or other relevant information
4. Don't Donate: Avoid making donations to campaigns you suspect

Our Trust & Safety team investigates all reports promptly. If fraud is confirmed, we take immediate action including campaign removal, account suspension, and legal measures when necessary.

Yes, we take security seriously:

• Encryption: All payment data is encrypted using industry-standard SSL/TLS encryption
• PCI Compliance: We comply with PCI DSS Level 1 standards (the highest level of security)
• No Storage: We don't store full credit card numbers on our servers
• Secure Processors: Payments are processed through trusted, certified payment gateways
• Two-Factor Authentication: Available for additional account security

Your financial information is protected by multiple layers of security. We never share your payment details with campaign organizers or third parties.

If your payment was declined, try these solutions:

• Check Card Details: Verify your card number, expiration date, and CVV are correct
• Contact Your Bank: Your bank may have blocked the transaction for security reasons
• Check Balance: Ensure you have sufficient funds or credit available
• Try Different Payment Method: Use a different card or payment option
• Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes browser issues can cause payment problems
• Contact Support: If issues persist, email support@golddonate.com with transaction details

If you didn't receive a verification email:

• Check Spam Folder: Verification emails sometimes end up in spam/junk folders
• Wait a Few Minutes: Emails can take 5-10 minutes to arrive
• Resend Email: Use the "Resend Verification Email" option in your account settings
• Check Email Address: Ensure you entered the correct email address
• Whitelist Our Domain: Add @golddonate.com to your email whitelist
• Contact Support: If you still don't receive it, contact support for manual verification

Refunds may be available in these circumstances:

• Duplicate Donation: If you accidentally donated twice
• Processing Error: If there was a technical error during payment
• Campaign Violation: If the campaign violated our policies
• Fraud: If the campaign was determined to be fraudulent

To request a refund:

1. Email support@golddonate.com with your donation receipt
2. Include the campaign URL and donation amount
3. Explain the reason for your refund request
4. Our team will review and process within 5-7 business days

Note: Refunds are subject to our Refund Policy and may not be available for all situations.