Payments & security
Is it safe to pledge online? How PledgeStop payments work
When you pledge to a team on PledgeStop, you're trusting us with a promise of future money. Here's exactly how your card is handled, when you're charged, and where the money goes.
- All payments are processed by Stripe, one of the world's largest payment companies. Businesses on Stripe processed $1.9 trillion in 2025.
- Stripe is certified as a PCI Service Provider Level 1, the highest level of payment-security certification, and is audited every year by an independent assessor.
- PledgeStop never sees or stores your card number. You enter it on Stripe's secure checkout.
- You're charged once, after the season, never more than the maximum you set, and you can cancel any time before then.
Who is Stripe?
Stripe is a payment processing company founded in 2010 that handles online payments for millions of businesses. In its 2025 annual letter, Stripe said businesses on its platform processed $1.9 trillion in total volume, about 1.6% of global GDP, and that it powers 90% of the companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Stripe's website reports 99.999% historical uptime for its services.
Companies Stripe has announced as customers include Amazon, Microsoft, Uber, Airbnb, BMW, Toyota, Maersk and Zara, and Shopify's built-in payments run on Stripe. These companies are Stripe customers; they aren't affiliated with PledgeStop.
How Stripe protects your card
- PCI Level 1 certified. PCI DSS is the card industry's security standard. Stripe is certified at the highest level for service providers and is listed in Visa's public registry of compliant providers.
- Independent audits. Stripe is assessed every year by an independent PCI Qualified Security Assessor and publishes a public SOC 3 report on its security controls.
- Your card never touches PledgeStop. Card details go straight to Stripe. PledgeStop only receives a reference that lets Stripe charge the card later, under the terms you agreed to.
What happens when you pledge
- Choose your pledge. Pick per game, per win or a flat amount, and optionally set a maximum.
- Verify your card for $1. You complete a one-time $1 verification on Stripe's checkout. It confirms your card works and covers PledgeStop's costs. Stripe securely saves the card for the end-of-season charge.
- Get a confirmation email. It includes a private link to view or cancel your pledge at any time before the season's pledges are charged. No account needed.
- Follow the season. The coach records each game's result, and you can see games played and wins on the team's pledge page.
- One charge at the end. When the coach confirms the final results, your pledge is calculated, kept under your maximum if you set one, and charged once. You get an email receipt.
If you cancel, your pledge won't be charged and your saved card is removed. Pledges that total less than Stripe's $0.50 minimum aren't charged.
Where the money goes
Every team connects its own Stripe account before it can collect pledges. Stripe verifies the team organizer's identity and bank account as part of that setup. When pledges are charged, each payment goes to the team's Stripe account and is paid out to the team's bank. PledgeStop takes no percentage of pledges.
Tips for supporters
- Make sure the pledge page address starts with pledgestop.com and the checkout page is on stripe.com.
- Save your confirmation email. It has your private link to view or cancel your pledge.
- Set a maximum if you want a firm limit on your total.
- Questions about a charge? Email support@pledgestop.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is PledgeStop safe?
Yes. All payments are processed by Stripe, a PCI Service Provider Level 1. PledgeStop never sees or stores card numbers, supporters are charged once after the season, and pledges can be cancelled any time before then.
Does PledgeStop store my credit card?
No. You enter your card on Stripe's secure checkout, and Stripe stores it. PledgeStop only keeps a reference that lets Stripe make the single end-of-season charge.
When will I be charged?
Once, after the coach confirms the season's final results. Your pledge is calculated, capped at your maximum if you set one, and you get an email receipt. The only charge before then is the one-time $1 verification.
What companies use Stripe?
Stripe has announced customers including Amazon, Microsoft, Uber, Airbnb, BMW, Toyota, Maersk and Zara, and powers 90% of Dow Jones Industrial Average companies, according to its 2025 annual letter.
Sources
- Stripe: Security at Stripe (PCI Service Provider Level 1, SOC reports)
- Stripe Support: Is Stripe PCI compliant? (annual QSA audit, Visa registry)
- Stripe Newsroom: Stripe publishes 2025 annual letter ($1.9T volume, 90% of the Dow Jones)
- Stripe.com (99.999% historical uptime, 135+ currencies and payment methods)
- Wikipedia: Stripe, Inc. (announced enterprise customers)
- Zapier: Shopify Payments is powered by Stripe
Ratings, review counts and fees were checked on the dates shown and can change. Review themes are summarized in our own words; read the original reviews at the links above.
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.