Fundraising App FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the FUNdraising app. If your question is not answered here, the American Cancer Society’s support team is available Monday through Sunday, 7 AM - 7 PM CST. 1-800-227-2345, option 2.

General App Questions

Donation Questions

Receipt and Refund Questions

General App Questions

What can I do with the app?

Use the FUNdraising app to:

• Register for Relay For Life or Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events
• Fundraise for all types of American Cancer Society events, such as ResearcHERS, Real Men Wear Pink, DetermiNation, and many other events
• Personalize your personal event fundraising page, including pictures, video, and text
• Create a Facebook Fundraiser
• Accept in-person credit card and check donations with state-of-the-art scanning technologies and bank-grade security features
• Solicit donations from your social and professional networks via text message, Facebook, email, and LinkedIn
• Accept donations via PayPal, Apple Pay (iOS), Google Pay (Android)
• Send donation receipts and thank you notes to your donors
• Track your personal, team, and event fundraising achievements
• Take donations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)

How can I maximize my fundraising using this app?

Great question! The FUNdraising app puts a lot of powerful fundraising tools right in the palm of your hand. Here are some actions you can take that will really super-charge your fundraising success:

• Personalize your story on the My Profile tab. Let everyone know exactly why you raise money for the American Cancer Society. Add photos and even a video to tell your story.
• Then, share that story to your Facebook and LinkedIn networks. Email it to your contact list, and text it to your friends with the sharing tools available right here in the app.
• Go to the FUNdraise tab and tap the Start a Facebook Fundraiser button. Use this Facebook tool to easily reach all your Facebook friends you may be surprised by how many of them connect with your story and donate to you right then and there.
• Start the ball rolling with a seed donation to your own fundraiser. We've seen that Relay self-donors raise 4x more, and Strides self-donors raise 7x more than those who do not make a self-donation.
• Be sure to thank all your donors using the convenient in-app thank you note tool. Go to the Donations tab, swipe left on a donor’s name, and tap Say Thanks to send a message via Facebook, text, email, or LinkedIn.

Reach out to all your friends, family, and professional contacts, and let them know that they can help you make a difference to cancer research and programs.

Do I have to register or log in?

Yes, all users must log in and be registered for an event in order to use the app.

Is the app secure?

Yes. The app has been developed using state-of-the-art security and encryption methods. These include:

• Protection using the latest open standard security protocols
• 256-bit TLS SSL encryption on all external communications
• Security vault software to protect sensitive API credentials

Note: For security purposes, the app will not run on jail-broken iPhones. In addition, it is recommended that you password protect your device and lock it when it is not in use. Never leave the device unlocked and unattended while a transaction is in process.

Can I use the app at team fundraising events?

Yes. You can use the app to take team donations as well as individual donations. When collecting a donation, you will be asked to select whether to credit the donation to you, to your team, or to your event.

During a transaction, is the app taking a picture of the donor’s credit/debit card?

No. The app uses state-of-the-art scanning technology to help users quickly complete the credit card information fields on the donation form.

Is the credit/debit card or check kept on the mobile phone after a transaction?

No card or check data is stored in the app or on the device.

Donate Questions

Can I take donations over the phone?

No. The app should be used only for in-person donations. Check donations must be processed using the actual check, because the app does not allow checking account details to be manually entered.

Are there any restrictions on donation size?

The minimum allowed donation is $1.00. Individuals can donate up to a maximum of $20,000 in a single donation, and businesses may donate up to $200,000 in a single donation.

What credit cards are accepted?

The app can process Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit card donations. Local bank or international cards that are not affiliated with the major credit card brands cannot be accepted at this time.

What types of checks are accepted?

All U.S. bank checks, both personal and business, are accepted. Cashier’s checks are also accepted. Money orders cannot be submitted through the app at this time.

How do I handle check donations?

Checks should be scanned and immediately handed back to the donor. The donor should write 'VOID' on the check and discard it after 14 days.

If you receive a check from a donor who is not physically present (i.e. you received it in the mail, for example) you should scan the check to process the donation, write 'VOID' on it, store it in a secure location, and then discard it after 14 days.

Can I deposit a check that is made out to me personally?

Yes, you can sign over your check to the American Cancer Society on the back of the check and then deposit the check through the app. Note that it is preferred to have your donors make their checks payable to the American Cancer Society.

First, ensure that the background is dark, and that you scan it in a well-lit area. Avoid scanning a check against light or patterned background, or in poor lighting conditions. Be sure to follow the on-screen instructions for a successful scan.

Can corporate matching be applied to donations made through the app?

Yes. Donors can request their employers match their donation by completing their employer’s matching gift form and supplying a copy of their receipt.

Can I use the app to take donations in exchange for goods and services?

Yes. The app can be used to accept donations for goods and services that are given as gifts with a donation.

Can I take memorial donations through the app?

Memorial donations are not currently available via the app.

What do I do if I accidentally process a donation more than once?

Call our support team at 1-800-227-2345, option 2, for assistance.

Will I see these donations on my events dashboard, personal page, and team page when I log in?

Yes. All donations taken through the app will be visible in the event dashboard, personal page, and team page, if applicable.

In addition, any donation you’ve received, whether it was online via a desktop computer, through the app, or entered as an offline donation in your dashboard, will display in the app.

Receipt and Refund Questions

Does the app support acknowledgements and receipts?

Yes. Donors may choose to receive a receipt via email or USPS mail (for donations over $10). All receipts include a thank you and acknowledgement. Note that donations of $250 or more require a receipt be sent to the donor.

How can a donor get a refund?

Donors can call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345, option 2, to request a refund.

How can a donor get a receipt if they didn’t ask for one at the time of the transaction, or get a duplicate receipt if they lost the original?

You can send email receipts to your donors from the app. Simply navigate to the Donations screen, locate your donor, and swipe left to see the Receipt button. Tap Receipt to open a dialog box where you can choose to resend a receipt to the email associated with that donation or enter a different email address. Tap Send to email the receipt to your donor.