Questions and answers
The things people ask before they set up. If yours isn't here, write to hello@potluckpayments.com.
Is it really free?
Yes. The free plan has no monthly fee. Online gifts carry a 0.75% platform fee plus Stripe's processing fee, and most people who give choose to cover both. Cash and checks are free to record.
Do people need an account or an app?
No. They scan a code or tap a link, pick a fund and an amount, and pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App Pay or a card. A receipt arrives by email.
How quickly is the money in our bank?
Stripe deposits to your bank on its schedule, usually within two business days. The first deposit takes about a week while Stripe verifies the account.
What do we need to set up Stripe?
Your organization's legal name and tax ID, a bank account, and the name and date of birth of one person responsible for the account. You can finish setup first and connect Stripe later.
Do we need to be a 501(c)(3)?
No. Any organization can use Potluck. Stripe's nonprofit rate of 2.2% + 30¢ is for 501(c)(3) organizations; we help you request it during setup.
Can we use our own words?
Yes. Gift, donation or contribution. Fund, program or designation. Member, giver or supporter. Pick them once and Potluck uses them everywhere, including receipts, statements and emails.
How do cash and checks work?
Your treasurer enters them in a dated count, with type-ahead names and keyboard-first rows. Finishing the count posts the totals and sends receipts to the people who gave.
How do year-end statements work?
One statement per person per year, with the deductible and non-deductible amounts separated. Statements open January 1. Email them in batches and print the rest.
How do recurring gifts work?
After a first gift, one tap makes it monthly. People edit, pause or stop from a link in their email. A failed card retries after they update it, and after three failures the gift pauses and your treasurer is told.
Can we refund a gift?
Yes, from the gift's record. Stripe keeps its processing fee on a refund, and we show your treasurer exactly that. The gift leaves the person's receipt total and statement.
Who can see who gave what?
Admin and Finance. Leadership sees totals by fund and month, never a name or an individual gift. These limits are enforced in the database, not only on the screen.
Can people give without a name?
Yes. They can give anonymously, with or without an email for the receipt. An anonymous gift shows no name to anyone on your team.
What if we have more than one location?
The paid plan adds locations. Each gets its own QR code, and gifts, events and reports can be filtered by location, while people, funds and statements stay shared so a family that gives at both places gets one statement.
Does it post to QuickBooks?
On the paid plan, yes. Deposits post as summary entries by fund, with fees as their own line.
Can we try it first?
Yes. The demo is the real giving page for a fictional organization, and nothing is charged. Setup is free and takes about 20 minutes, and you can stop at any step.
Can we leave with our data?
Anytime. Export everything to CSV. If you close your account, ask and we delete your organization's data within 30 days, after one last export.
See it before you set it up.
The demo is the real giving page for a fictional organization. Nothing is charged.