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Fundraising Gauntlet

Turn your fitness into fundraising. Get pledges from supporters, then walk, run, or bike to raise money for charity.

How It Works​

  1. Create or join a fundraiser - Set up a charity challenge
  2. Share your link - Friends and family pledge per mile, step, or calorie
  3. Get active - Your activity syncs automatically
  4. Earn donations - Pledges convert to real donations
  5. Charity receives funds - Money goes directly to the cause

Fundraising Overview [Screenshot: Fundraising gauntlet showing pledges and progress]

Creating a Fundraising Gauntlet​

Basic Setup​

  1. Tap + on the home screen
  2. Select Fundraising Gauntlet
  3. Configure your fundraiser:
SettingDescription
NameGive your fundraiser a name
CharitySelect from verified charities
MetricSteps, Distance, or Calories
DurationHow long the fundraiser runs
GoalTarget amount to raise (optional)
PrivacyPublic or private

Choosing a Charity​

Goal Gauntlet partners with verified 501(c)(3) nonprofits:

  • Search by name or category
  • Browse popular charities by area:
    • Health & Medical Research
    • Environment & Conservation
    • Education & Youth
    • Hunger & Poverty
    • Animal Welfare
    • Community & Local
  • View charity details and ratings
  • All donations go directly to the charity

Can't find your charity? Contact us to request additions.

Setting Your Goal​

Be realistic but ambitious:

  • 10,000 steps/day = ~70,000 steps/week
  • 3 miles/day = ~21 miles/week
  • Check your recent activity in your health app for baseline

Supporters see your goal — reaching it shows you're committed!

Setting Pledge Rates​

Suggest pledge amounts for supporters:

  • Per Mile: $1, $5, $10 per mile
  • Per 1,000 Steps: $0.50, $1, $2 per thousand
  • Per 100 Calories: $0.25, $0.50, $1 per hundred

Supporters can choose their own amounts too.

Getting Pledges​

Sharing Your Fundraiser​

  1. Open your fundraising gauntlet
  2. Tap Share
  3. Choose how to share:
    • Copy link
    • Text message
    • Email
    • Social media

Share Fundraiser [Screenshot: Share options and fundraiser link]

Your Fundraiser Page​

Supporters see:

  • Your goal and progress
  • Pledge options
  • Your activity feed
  • Other supporters' pledges

Tips for More Pledges​

Personalize your message

  • Share why this cause matters to you
  • Set a meaningful goal

Update supporters

  • Share progress updates
  • Post photos from your activities
  • Thank pledgers publicly

Leverage milestones

  • "I just hit 50 miles!"
  • "Halfway to my goal!"

During the Fundraiser​

Tracking Progress​

Your fundraiser dashboard shows:

  • Total Raised - Pledges earned so far
  • Your Activity - Miles, steps, or calories
  • Pledge Breakdown - Who pledged what
  • Goal Progress - Percentage toward target

Fundraiser Dashboard [Screenshot: Fundraiser progress dashboard]

Sending Updates​

Keep supporters motivated:

  1. Open your fundraiser
  2. Tap Post Update
  3. Share a photo, milestone, or message
  4. Supporters get notified

Good updates: "Halfway to my goal!", "Just finished a 5-mile run in the rain!", "Thanks for the support - $500 raised so far!"

Activity Updates​

As you move:

  • Activity syncs automatically
  • Pledges calculate in real-time
  • Supporters get milestone notifications
  • Total raised updates live

Completing a Fundraiser​

When the fundraiser ends:

  1. Final Sync - Last activity counts
  2. Totals Calculated - Final raised amount
  3. Donations Processed - Pledges charged to supporters
  4. Charity Receives Funds - Direct transfer to nonprofit
  5. Thank You Sent - Supporters notified of impact

Donation Processing​

  • Supporters' payment methods are charged automatically
  • Failed payments are retried once
  • Successful donations go directly to the charity
  • You receive a summary of total raised

Tax Receipts​

  • Charity sends tax receipts directly to donors
  • Timing varies by charity (usually within 30 days)
  • Goal Gauntlet does not provide tax receipts
  • Donation records available in supporter accounts

Joining a Fundraiser​

Support someone else's cause:

  1. Receive their fundraiser link
  2. View their goal and progress
  3. Enter your pledge amount
  4. Confirm payment method
  5. Cheer them on!

Or join as a participant:

  1. Tap + > Join with Code
  2. Enter the fundraiser code
  3. Your activity also earns donations

Tips for Success​

Set an Achievable Goal

  • Base on your typical activity
  • Better to exceed than fall short

Share Early and Often

  • Don't wait until the end
  • Regular updates keep momentum

Make It Personal

  • Why does this cause matter?
  • Personal stories drive pledges

Thank Your Supporters

  • Send messages through the app
  • Share your final results

Fees & Processing​

Goal Gauntlet takes nothing from fundraising donations.

  • Payment processing: ~3% (Stripe fees)
  • 100% of remainder goes to charity

Example: $1,000 raised → ~$970 to charity

Common Questions​

Q: Is there an entry fee? A: No! Fundraising Gauntlets are free to create and join.

Q: How do supporters pay? A: Supporters enter payment info when pledging. They're charged when the fundraiser ends.

Q: What if I don't hit my goal? A: Pledges are still collected based on your actual activity. No penalty for missing goals.

Q: Can I keep any money? A: No - 100% of donations go to the charity (minus standard payment processing fees).

Q: How do I know it's legitimate? A: Goal Gauntlet only partners with verified 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Charities receive funds directly.

Q: What if a supporter's payment fails? A: We retry once. If it fails again, that pledge isn't collected. You're notified.

Q: Can I extend my fundraiser? A: Yes, you can extend the end date while the challenge is active.

Q: Is my donation tax-deductible? A: Donations to 501(c)(3) charities are typically tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional.

Q: Can companies match donations? A: Many employers match charitable donations. Check with your HR department!