Skip to main content

Creating Pledges

Pledge Management

Pledges allow you to track recurring donation commitments from donors. This guide will show you how to create and manage pledges in DonorLog.

What is a Pledge?​

A pledge is a commitment from a donor to make donations over time. Pledges help you:

  • Track recurring donation commitments
  • Monitor payment schedules
  • Send reminders for upcoming payments
  • Plan your fundraising goals

Pledge Types​

DonorLog supports different types of pledges:

Fixed One-Time Pledge​

A single commitment for a specific amount to be paid once.

Example: Donor pledges $500 to be paid on a specific date.

Recurring Pledge​

A commitment to make regular payments over time.

Example: Donor pledges $100 per month for 12 months.

Required Information​

To create a pledge, you need:

  • Donor - The person making the pledge
  • Campaign - Which campaign the pledge supports
  • Pledge Type - Fixed one-time or recurring
  • Amount - Total pledge amount
  • Payment Type - How payments will be made (Cash, Cheque, Credit Card, E-Transfer)

Step-by-Step: Creating a Pledge​

Step 1: Navigate to Pledges​

  1. Click on "Pledges" in the main navigation menu
  2. You'll see a list of all pledges

Step 2: Open the Create Pledge Form​

  1. Click the "Add Pledge" button
  2. A form will open for entering pledge details

Step 3: Select a Donor​

  1. Click in the "Donor" field
  2. Start typing the donor's name
  3. Select the donor from the dropdown
  4. Or create a new donor if needed

Step 4: Select a Campaign​

  1. Click in the "Campaign" field
  2. Select the campaign this pledge supports

Step 5: Choose Pledge Type​

Select the type of pledge:

Fixed One-Time:

  • Single payment commitment
  • Enter the total amount
  • Set the payment date

Recurring:

  • Regular payments over time
  • Enter the total amount
  • Choose frequency (Monthly, Weekly, etc.)
  • Set installment amount
  • Set start and end dates

Step 6: Enter Pledge Details​

For a Fixed One-Time Pledge:

Pledge Type: Fixed One-Time
Total Amount: 500.00
Payment Date: 2024-02-01
Payment Type: Credit Card

For a Recurring Pledge:

Pledge Type: Recurring
Total Amount: 1200.00
Frequency: Monthly
Installment Amount: 100.00
Number of Installments: 12
Start Date: 2024-01-01
End Date: 2024-12-31
Payment Type: E-Transfer

Step 7: Add Optional Information​

Notes:

  • Add any relevant notes about the pledge
  • Example: "Annual giving commitment" or "Special campaign pledge"

Next Payment Date:

  • For recurring pledges, set when the first payment is due
  • The system will calculate subsequent payment dates

Step 8: Save the Pledge​

  1. Review all the information
  2. Click the "Create Pledge" button
  3. You'll see a success message
  4. The pledge will appear in your pledges list

Pledge Frequencies​

For recurring pledges, you can choose:

  • Weekly - Payments every week
  • Monthly - Payments every month
  • Quarterly - Payments every 3 months
  • Annually - Payments once per year

The system will automatically calculate the next payment date based on the frequency.

Tracking Pledge Payments​

When you record a donation that's part of a pledge:

  1. Create the donation as usual
  2. Select the pledge from the "Link to Pledge" dropdown
  3. The system will automatically:
    • Update the pledge's payment status
    • Track how much has been paid
    • Calculate the remaining balance
    • Update the next payment date

📖 Learn more: Tracking Pledge Payments

Pledge Status​

Pledges have different statuses:

  • Active - Pledge is ongoing, payments are being made
  • Completed - All payments have been received
  • Overdue - A payment is past due
  • Cancelled - Pledge was cancelled

Viewing Pledges​

You can view pledges:

  • In the main pledges list
  • On the donor's profile page
  • In campaign reports
  • Filtered by status or date

Managing Pledges​

After creating a pledge, you can:

  • Edit - Update pledge details
  • View Payments - See all payments made toward the pledge
  • Send Reminders - Remind donors of upcoming payments
  • Mark Complete - When all payments are received
  • Cancel - If the pledge is cancelled

📖 Learn more: Managing Pledges

Common Questions​

Q: Can I change a pledge after creating it?
A: Yes, you can edit most pledge details. However, be careful when changing amounts as it may affect payment tracking.

Q: What happens if a donor misses a payment?
A: The pledge will show as overdue. You can send a reminder or adjust the payment schedule.

Q: Can I create a pledge without a specific end date?
A: For recurring pledges, it's best to set an end date. However, you can extend it later if needed.

Q: How do I record payments for a pledge?
A: When creating a donation, select the pledge from the "Link to Pledge" dropdown. The system will automatically update the pledge.

Q: Can a donor have multiple pledges?
A: Yes, a donor can have multiple pledges for different campaigns or time periods.

Best Practices​

  1. Be Specific: Clearly define the pledge amount and schedule
  2. Set Reminders: Use the system to send payment reminders
  3. Track Payments: Always link donations to pledges when applicable
  4. Communicate: Keep donors informed about their pledge status
  5. Be Flexible: Adjust schedules if donors need to change payment dates

What's Next?​

After creating a pledge, you can:

Ready to create a pledge? Go to the Pledges page and click "Add Pledge"!