Platform review summary
Pledge It reviews: performance-based fundraising
Pledge It, founded in 2014, popularized performance-based fundraising, where fans pledge a dollar amount for every touchdown, goal, point or mile. It's used by pro athletes, colleges, high school and youth teams, and charity events.
- Strong ratings: 4.9/5 across 99 reviews on Capterra (checked Nov 2026).
- Users praise customer support, ease of use and design. Some teams have used it as their only fundraiser for years.
- Pledge It's FAQ lists 2.9% + $0.30 card processing per donation. Pricing beyond that depends on the plan, and one 2026 reviewer complained about paying a monthly fee plus per-donation fees.
- One reviewer noted supporters could pledge only to individual participants, not the whole team.
How Pledge It works
The team or athlete picks a stat, like touchdowns, goals or points. Fans pledge an amount per unit, often with a cap, and the pledge turns into a donation based on the final stat. Pledge It says pledges raise about twice as much as an average one-time donation. Performance-based asks give supporters a reason to follow along all season.
Review themes
What reviewers like
- Fun and engaging, since fans root for every score
- Responsive customer support
- Clean, easy campaign setup
- Flexible units that fit many sports and events
Common complaints
- One reviewer said a monthly subscription plus per-donation fees plus Stripe fees cost more than it was worth
- Pricing can price out smaller organizations
- Pledges tied to individual participants rather than the team as a whole
Who it's a good fit for
Teams and athletes who want stat-based pledges with polished campaign pages and strong support. Before signing up, check the current plan pricing so you can compare total cost across platforms.
How PledgeStop compares: PledgeStop is also performance-based, with team pledges per game, per win, or flat. Supporters pledge to the whole team, set a maximum, and cancel any time before the season's pledges are charged. 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is performance-based fundraising?
Supporters pledge an amount per result, such as $3 per game or $5 per win, and are charged based on the final results, usually with an optional cap.
How much does Pledge It cost?
Pledge It's FAQ lists card processing at 2.9% + $0.30 per donation, and its site says you can create a campaign for free. One 2026 Capterra reviewer reported a monthly plan plus per-donation fees, so confirm current pricing directly.
Sources
- Capterra: Pledge It reviews (4.9/5, 99 reviews)
- Capterra India: Pledge It reviews (pricing complaint, Feb 2026)
- Pledge It FAQs
- Pledge It: High school & youth teams
- Pledge It: How it works
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.