Platform review summary
Vertical Raise reviews: fees, pros and cons
Vertical Raise is a rep-led online fundraising platform used mostly by high school and middle school sports teams and activity groups. Like Snap! Raise, players send text and email asks to family and friends, and the company keeps a share of what comes in.
- Two very different pictures depending on where you look: about 4.9/5 across roughly 2,900 reviews on Shopper Approved, versus a 3.85/5 average from 26 reviews on the BBB (checked Nov 2026).
- Coaches praise the local reps and streamlined process, and many say they beat their goals.
- The main complaint is the service fee, commonly reported around 20%. Vertical Raise says its fee isn't a flat rate and depends on the fundraiser.
- Some students and parents find the mass text-and-email asks awkward, especially for kids in several sports.
How Vertical Raise works
A local representative helps the coach set up the campaign. Participants load contacts, and Vertical Raise sends personalized asks by text, email, and social media. Supporters donate online, and the platform keeps a service fee. The company also sells products such as popcorn and discount cards. In a November 2025 blog post, Vertical Raise said it doesn't charge a flat fee and that the percentage a group keeps depends on several factors.
Review themes
What reviewers like
- Hands-on local reps who guide the coach through each step
- Simple process that brings in money fast
- Many groups report beating their previous fundraising totals
- High ratings on its verified-purchase review page
Common complaints
- The cut. One BBB reviewer felt it was too much given how little contact the team had with the company
- A student op-ed at a Michigan high school said the football team raised $17,812 but kept $14,249 after a 20% fee
- A parent commenting on that op-ed reported a 30% cut plus a transaction fee on their team's campaign (one anecdote, not company pricing)
- Mass-messaging relatives and family friends can feel awkward, and it's repetitive for multi-sport kids
Fans of the platform make a fair point: a product sale that raised the same amount could take hundreds of volunteer hours. The question for each team is whether that saved time is worth the percentage.
What to ask before signing
- What exact percentage will our team keep, in writing?
- Is there a separate transaction or processing fee, and who pays it, the donor or the team?
- Do product sales (popcorn, discount cards) have a different split than straight donations?
- When and how is money paid out?
How PledgeStop is different: 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 percentage does Vertical Raise take?
Vertical Raise says its fee varies by fundraiser. Reviews, competitor comparisons and a student newspaper commonly cite about 20%. Ask for your exact split in writing.
Is Vertical Raise worth it?
Coaches who value a rep running most of the campaign often say yes. Teams focused on keeping the most money, or uncomfortable with mass messaging, may prefer a no-percentage platform.
Sources
- BBB: Vertical Raise customer reviews (3.85/5, 26 reviews)
- Shopper Approved: Vertical Raise reviews (4.9, ~2,919 reviews)
- Vertical Raise blog: Vertical Raise Fee (Nov 2025)
- East Lansing Portrait: Vertical Raise needs to go (student op-ed and comments)
- Preqin: Vertical Raise company profile
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.