FOR FAMILIES & DONORS

Donor FAQ

You're giving to a school's fundraiser that Elevate runs. Below is exactly how it works — including the part most fundraisers don't put in writing.

50%
Of every dollar goes to the school
30 Days
No-questions refund window
$0
Of donor data ever sold or shared
Where does my money go?

Your gift goes directly to your school's fundraising account. It's deposited into the school's own account — Elevate Fundraising never holds or handles your money.

After the fundraiser ends, the school pays Elevate a program fee equal to 50% of the total raised. That fee covers everything the school would otherwise have to pay for: the full on-site team, every student prize, the platform, and payment processing. The school pays nothing up front and nothing out of pocket.

Net, the school keeps 50 cents of every dollar you give.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Your gift is made directly to the school's 501(c)(3) organization, so it may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You receive no goods or services in exchange for your gift, and we'll email you a receipt with the date and amount for your records.

Elevate Fundraising is a for-profit company, not a charity. We're the vendor the school hired to run this fundraiser. Your gift is not made to us.

If you have questions about deductibility for your own situation, check with your tax preparer — we can't give tax advice.

Can I get a refund?

Yes. If you made a mistake, changed your mind, or don't recognize a charge, email us and we'll take care of it.

Within 30 days of your donation — full refund, no questions asked. Duplicate or accidental donations — refunded in full whenever you catch it, no time limit. After the campaign has closed — email us anyway; we'll sort it out with the school directly.

Refunds go back to the original card and typically appear in 5–10 business days. We cover the processing cost, so you get back the full amount you gave.

If something looks wrong on your statement, please contact us before disputing the charge with your bank. We can almost always resolve it the same day, and a bank dispute can pull funds back from the school in the middle of their campaign.

Is my payment information safe?

Yes. Payments are processed by MX Merchant through a secure payment window. Your card number is entered directly into their system and never passes through or is stored on Elevate's site. We can see that a gift was made and for how much. We never see your full card number.

Who do I contact?

For anything about your gift, your receipt, or a refund, reach us directly — we're Tanner and Tyler Webster, two brothers in Georgia, and you'll get one of us rather than a call center. Use the email and phone number in the footer.

For questions about your school's goal or how the funds will be used, contact your school's office directly.