Guide

How to choose a team fundraising platform: 10 questions to ask

Updated November 3, 2026 · Written by the PledgeStop team

We read hundreds of reviews of youth sports fundraising platforms. The same few problems come up over and over. Here they are as a checklist, so you can ask before you sign rather than find out after the season.

Money

1. What percentage does the team keep?

This is the most-mentioned issue in reviews of rep-led platforms, even in five-star reviews. Get the exact split in writing.

2. Who pays card processing?

Expect about 2.9% + $0.30 per payment somewhere. Find out whether the donor, the team or the platform pays it.

3. Is there a tip, and is it pre-selected?

Optional tips are fine. Pre-selected ones annoy donors and have been the subject of litigation. Do a test checkout yourself.

4. How fast is the payout, and where does it go?

Some platforms pay out within a day or two. Recent reviews of one cashback app describe waiting months. Ask where the money lands. Ideally it goes straight to the team's own account.

Supporters

5. Will supporters feel good about giving?

Reviews show some donors hold back, or give directly to the team, once they learn a big share goes to the platform. Product buyers often say they'd rather just donate. A clear, fair model raises more.

6. Does it give supporters a reason to stay involved?

Sharing a link with family and friends is how most team fundraisers reach people, and it works. The best campaigns give supporters something to follow afterward, like rooting for each game, so a one-time ask becomes a season-long connection.

7. Can supporters change their mind?

For pledges, can donors set a maximum and cancel before they're charged? That builds trust and makes people more willing to pledge.

Coaches and admins

8. How much work is it, really?

Rep-led platforms save time. Self-serve tools save money. Decide which you need more this season.

9. What support do you get?

Good support is one of the most-praised features in reviews, and slow support is one of the most-criticized. Ask how to reach a person and how fast they respond.

10. Who owns supporter data?

Ask whether supporters' contact info is used for marketing or shared, and how the platform protects minors' information.

How PledgeStop answers these

• PledgeStop takes no percentage of pledges. Each supporter pays a one-time $1 verification fee when they pledge, and PledgeStop currently covers card processing fees, so the team receives the full pledge amount.
• Money goes straight to the team's own Stripe account.
• Supporters can set a maximum and cancel any time before the season's pledges are charged, using a link in their confirmation email.
• Pledges are tied to real results (per game, per win) or a flat amount, so the ask is "follow our season," not "send money."

Disclosure: PledgeStop runs a youth sports fundraising platform, so we compete with some of the services described here. We've tried to present each fairly, including where they do things we don't. Spot an error? Email support@pledgestop.com.