General
What is YouCaring.com?
YouCaring.com is a simple, FREE online platform created for people who want to fundraise for causes they care about. From medical expenses, to memorials and mission trips or even pet care — if it’s important to you it qualifies you to set up a free online fundraiser.
We provide you with customizable personal fundraising webpages to help you spread your cause and raise support.
It serves as a professional way to implement your fundraising idea and achieve or exceed your fundraising goal. It is also a fundraising support system that offers fundraisers everything from tips about getting started to information-packed blogs.
Why use YouCaring?
YouCaring is one of the few free fundraising websites on the web. It's simple, easy and secure. With professional fundraising profile pages and a multitude of sharing options, you’ll be sure to raise more money. Plus, you get your money immediately.
How does YouCaring work?
Simply create your personal fundraising page, then alert your friends and family about it. You can spread the news about your fundraising page though social networking on Facebook and Twitter, through email and any other way you can engage potential donors. You can also login to track the donations you’ve received.
With YouCaring, you’ll eliminate a lot of the headaches of traditional fundraising, such as direct mail, solicitation calls, and donation boxes – all of which can be costly and time-consuming.
Who can raise funds on YouCaring?
The site is open to individuals that need to raise funds in the seven categories our website focuses on: medical expenses, memorial/funeral expenses, tuition help, adoption fundraising, mission trips, animal/pet rescue or helping a neighbor in need. If you have a fundraising need outside of these categories, we would encourage you to use another website better suited for your cause. Email us and we would be happy to refer you to other great websites. If you open a fundraiser on YouCaring.com that falls outside of these categories, it will be put on hold and you will be referred to another platform. This decision is under the discretion of the YouCaring.com management.
Can someone outside the United States raise funds?
Yes, YouCaring.com is an international website. Anyone with a valid PayPal Premier account can open a fundraiser. If you are within the United States you also have the option of choosing to use WePay.
How much does it cost to raise funds on YouCaring?
Nothing. We have never charged a fundraiser. Yes, YouCaring is a FREE fundraising site. It’s completely free to create and maintain a fundraiser. There are no monthly, annual or any other fees charged by YouCaring. The only cost is the small fee PayPal or WePay charges to process donations. We made the decision at the beginning of YouCaring.com to make the site free of any fees. Our site is supported 100% by donations from a major contributor and the public. YouCaring.com is the first fundraising platforms of its kind. Other fundraising sites say they are "free" (which is true if you never get a donation) but when you start receiving money, they usually charge between 5% and 10% commission.
What are the advantages for donors?
Donors have a convenient and secure way to support a cause. They can visit the site and make a donation at any time in only a few clicks.
Do you provide customer service?
Yes. We pride ourselves on offering our fundraisers and donors excellent customer service. Email support@youcaring.com if you have any questions.
What is the YouCaring.com phone number?
In order to make our custormer support extremely efficient and available nearly 24 hours a day, from any where in the world, we offer an extremely reliable email support system . You can email us at support@youcaring.com and we will get back to you within 24 hours at the latest - most of the time within the hour. We do not offer phone support.
Do you help promote fundraising campaigns?
It is the sole responsibility of fundraisers to promote their cause, however, we will help spread dynamic causes through social media and press outreach, as well as on our homepage, in our newsletter and on our blog.
Creating a Fundraising Profile
How do I create a profile?
Start by clicking the "Create a Fundraiser" button found at the top or bottom of our home page. Simply write a description of your fundraising idea, cover the who, what, when, where, why and how of your campaign. Be authentic. Add photos to personalize your page. You can also add video links that help tell your story.
Can I change my profile page?
Yes. You can change most of the elements of your fundraising campaign, including your funding deadline.
How do I change my profile?
Just login and click on 'My Fundraisers' at the top right hand side of the page. This will take you to your dashboard. You’ll be able to edit the description, summary, pictures, videos and other links.
How do I share my campaign?
We provide you with the necessary tools you need to share your campaign by email and via every social network you can imagine, including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. In addition, people who visit your page will have the option to help promote it for you.
Can I create multiple fundraising pages?
Yes, you may create one fundraising page for each campaign.
Is there a limit to how much I can fundraise?
No, it’s completely up to you. Our goal is to help you reach your goal!
Is there a time limit for funding?
Yes, you set your own deadline. Your fundraiser can last up to 120 days. The most successful fundraisers run for a period of 2 to 6 weeks. Donors are more inclined to give when there is a sense of urgency and a short time frame.
What happens if the goal isn’t reached by the end of the fundraiser?
We send the funds as they are donated so you always receive all the funds that have been donated in real time, minus the fee PayPal or WePay charges for processing the credit cards. YouCaring does not charge any fees for the use of our website.
What happens if my campaign reaches its funding goal before the deadline?
The campaign can still continue raising money and will still accept donations after your goal has been reached.
What if my campaign ends and I want to continue fundraising?
Just create a new campaign. You can start a brand new fundraising page under your current account. Your previous fundraiser will remain viewable on the YouCaring site. You can also link it to your new fundraising page so donors can view the information.
Can I use other fundraising tools at the same time I use YouCaring?
Of course. We understand that YouCaring is one of many tools that can help you with your fundraising efforts.
Can I raise or lower my funding goal?
Yes at any time during the fundraiser. We recommend starting with a lower, more manageable goal. If you reach it early, you can always raise it to encourage more donations and keep up the momentum.
Can I edit my page once it has been published?
Yes. At any point during your fundraiser you can edit your description, summary, goal, pictures, etc. When you log in, click on 'My Fundraiser' to access your dashboard, then click on the edit button to edit fundraiser details or the photos tab for pictures or media.
Can I change my fundraiser end date?
Yes you can change your end date by logging into your dashboard via 'My Fundraisers' and selecting a different date under the 'edit fundraiser' tab.
Why is the fundraiser not showing up in search results?
If you just created your page it may not show up on the search results straight away. Our system updates throughout the day so check back later. If you opted to keep your fundraiser private, it will not show up in any search results on our website (you can "unselect" this option on the edit my fundraiser in your dashboard). Your donors will only be able to access your page by using the direct URL. If you chose to use PayPal, be sure your PayPal account is verified.
Can I contact my contributors directly?
Yes. All the contact information for your donors will be viewable on your PayPal or WePay account records.
On your campaign profile, go to the "Updates" tab. You can make an announcement or share new information, such as an image, video or document. All updates will automatically be posted on your page and any subscribers will be notified by email, facebook or twitter immediately.
Do you archive my fundraising materials?
Yes. All the documents, images and videos you post will be automatically archived.All images in the gallery will however be deleted 6 months after the fundraiser closes. This does not include the main profile image.
How do I cancel/delete my fundraiser?
Please follow the instructions in our blog on how to cancel your fundraiser.
How do I receive my funds?
All funds will be deposited directly into the PayPal or WePay account for your campaign. The amount of money disbursed will be the amount you raise, less PayPal or WePay fees.
You can create a WePay account in the sign up process if you do not have a PayPal account. It takes a couple of minutes to set up and you can start receiving funds immediately.
Simply visit your WePay or PayPal account to withdraw funds.
Note - You must have a verified and confirmed PayPal Premier account to use PayPal
When do I receive my funds?
All money donated is immediately deposited into your PayPal account. YouCaring does not have any time limits or collection requirements. Unlike other websites we don’t issue bank checks. Your money is yours and you can have it when you want. We understand that many of our fundraisers may be in need of funds and cannot wait for months to receive their money.
Note - You must have a verified and confirmed PayPal Premier account to use PayPal.
What is PayPal / WePay?
PayPal and WePay are services that enable users to pay, send and receive payments while keeping your financial information hidden.
They are both used by millions of people around the world and are known to be among the safest and securest payment platforms.
Note - You must have a verified and confirmed PayPal Premier account to use PayPal.
You can 'verify' your account by logging into PayPal and clicking the 'Get Verified' link.
IMPORTANT: Becoming 'Verified' means successfully linking your bank account to PayPal in order to verify your identity. There are two ways to accomplish this: a) verify your bank account instantly on PayPal or b) PayPal will make a test deposit into the bank account you provide - this may take up to 3 days to complete.
How do I contact WePay/PayPal?
How do PayPal /WePay fees work?
There is no charge to sign up for your PayPal Premier account or a WePay account. Both WePay and PayPal only charge a small fee for processing each payment you receive.
Do I need a PayPal account to fundraise?
No. If you do not have a PayPal account, you can create a WePay account during the sign up process (US residents only). A Verified PayPal Premier account is a must for fundraisers based outside the US or if you live in the US and choose to use PayPal.
How do I verify my PayPal Account?
You can verify your account in a few easy steps. Read our blog on how to verify your PayPal account for instructions.
How can I upgrade my PayPal Account?
You must have a Premier PayPal account in order to receive donations via credit or debit card. You can upgrade your account in a few easy steps. Read our blog on how to upgrade your PayPal account for instructions.
Can people contribute anonymously?
Yes, contributors can choose to make their identity anonymous to the public.
How will I know when people donate?
WePay or PayPal will send you an email each time a supporter donates to your fund. After you receive the email, you should see the new donation appear on your fundraising profile page and in your PayPal / WePay account.
Can thank you notes and letters be sent to donors?
You can view a list of your donors on your supporters tab on your profile page or on your dashboard. Their email addresses will be provided on your WePay /PayPal accounts.
What are the tax implications on money raised?
Since each situation is different we advise the beneficiary to seek advice from a qualified tax professional or attorney. We do not supply any advice pertaining to fundraiser or donor tax implications for giving or receiving money.
Donor FAQs
Are donations refundable?
No, refunds are not possible because all contributions are immediately disbursed. If you have a dispute with a donation to a fundraiser, please contact the fundraiser directly. Donations go directly to the fundraisers account. YouCaring has no control over any money going to fundraisers.
Are contributions tax-deductible?
Donations made on YouCaring.com are generally not tax-deductible because you are usually not giving directly to a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with a government issued EIN Tax ID #. Please consult your own tax adviser on any giving you may do on YouCaring.com. Any money going to YouCaring.com is also not tax deductable. YouCaring.com is an LLC with a goal to be a mission driven social venture. YouCaring helps those who typically have a difficult time raising money: those that are not non-profits or 501(c) 3 compliant. YouCaring.com wants the fundraiser to receive 100% of your donation. Non-profits spend up to 40% of their resources fundraising. That means less time for programs that are behind their missions. That can also mean that only 60% of your donations make it to their intended purpose. Our goal is to make YouCaring.com the most efficient form of fundraising available.
How much of each donation goes to the beneficiary?
The total amount, minus the PayPal or WePay processing fee (typically 2.9% + a $.30 transaction fee). There are no website fees.
Can I make a donation without being a member of PayPal?
Yes. You can donate with your credit card as a Guest on PayPal (no PayPal account required). After you click "Give" on the campaign, you'll be taken to a PayPal screen. At the top, you’ll see "Choose a Way To Pay." Click on "Pay with a credit or debit card." Uncheck the box that says "Save this information with a PayPal account. It's easy and free to sign up. Learn more about PayPal." Then proceed to donate as a Guest.
Fundraisers must have a Premier Account that is verified. If they do not have a verified account PayPal may force donors to sign up as a security measure. It is the responsibility of the fundraiser to upgrade their account.
How do I know if my donation was processed successfully?
If your donation is processed successfully, you’ll be taken to a confirmation page that says 'Donation Successful!' The page includes the confirmation number of your transaction. You’ll also receive a receipt for the donation via email to use for your records. If you do not see either one of these, your donation did not go through.
Please note that it may take up to 24 hours for your donation and message to show up on the fundraisers profile page.
Are fundraisers verified as legitimate?
Great question. We have several safeguards in place and YouCaring makes every effort to verify fundraisers as legitimate. The YouCaring staff works closely with the fundraisers on our site. If suspicion is raised, we will always request more information. If we detect a problem, the fundraiser is removed and the account is closed.
Thankfully, YouCaring is a community of people dedicated to helping one another. As a result, our users watch for and flag posts they think are questionable. But, despite our best efforts, we cannot be responsible for the accuracy of each fundraiser.
We recommended that you only donate to the fundraisers you feel confident about.
Security
All donations are processed securely using industry-standard Secure Socket Layer encryption or SSL.
Account FAQs
I forgot my password. What do I do?
Click on "I forgot my password" under "login." We'll email you a temporary password which you can then reset. You can also email us for help at support@YouCaring.com.
Does YouCaring.com share my personal information?
No. We are are committed to your privacy. Please see our privacy policy for more details.
What if I want to cancel my registration?
Simply email support@YouCaring.com. Please type 'Cancel Registration' in the subject line. For security purposes all fundraiser profiles are left on our system, in case of future disputes with donors. The fundraiser has the option of keeping them private, which will remove them from website search results.
Last updated: May 7, 2013