Step 1: Basics
Step 1 of 5 -- Campaign Basics
The first step of the campaign wizard is where you define the foundation of your campaign: its title, type, and category. These details determine how your campaign appears to donors and how it behaves.
Campaign Title
The Campaign Title is the name donors will see on campaign cards, in search results, and at the top of your campaign page. It is the first thing people notice, so make it count.
- This field is required.
- The title must be at least 8 characters long.
- The maximum length is 100 characters.
- A character counter below the field shows how many characters you have used.
A good campaign title is specific and tells people exactly what you are raising funds for. Compare these examples:
| Instead of... | Try... |
|---|---|
| "Help Us" | "Help Build a New Community Gym" |
| "Donate Now" | "Annual School Supplies Drive for 200 Students" |
| "Sports Fund" | "Youth Soccer Team Travel Fund - State Championship" |
| "Support" | "Support Art Education in Local Schools" |
Specific titles build trust and give donors a clear reason to contribute.
Campaign Type
Choose the type of campaign you want to create. This determines whether your campaign tracks progress toward a specific goal or accepts ongoing contributions.
Fundraising
Select Fundraising when you have a specific amount you need to raise. Fundraising campaigns include:
- A target amount (configured in Step 3) that you are trying to reach
- A progress bar on the campaign card showing how much has been collected versus the goal
- A sense of urgency that motivates donors to contribute
Fundraising campaigns are ideal for specific projects or goals -- for example, raising $5,000 for new equipment, $25,000 for a facility renovation, or $500 for a class trip.
Ongoing Donation
Select Donation (Ongoing) when you want to accept contributions without a fixed target. Ongoing campaigns include:
- No target amount -- donors simply contribute what they can
- No progress bar -- the campaign shows total collected to date instead
- A flexible structure suited for sustained giving
Ongoing campaigns work well for general operating funds, recurring support programs, or causes that benefit from continuous contributions over time.
You can change the campaign type later while editing a draft. However, if your campaign is already live and has received donations, switching from Fundraising to Ongoing (or vice versa) will change how progress is displayed to donors.
Category
Selecting a Category helps organize your campaign and communicates its purpose to potential donors. This field is required.
Choose the category that best describes your campaign from the dropdown:
| Category | Best For |
|---|---|
| Education | School programs, scholarships, academic resources, learning materials |
| Health & Medical | Medical support, wellness programs, health initiatives, treatment costs |
| Community Development | Neighborhood projects, civic improvements, local infrastructure |
| Arts & Culture | Creative programs, performances, art supplies, cultural preservation |
| Sports | Equipment, uniforms, league fees, facility improvements, travel |
| Environment | Conservation, sustainability, green initiatives, clean-up projects |
| Animal Welfare | Shelters, rescue organizations, wildlife conservation |
| Disaster Relief | Emergency response, recovery efforts, humanitarian aid |
| Religious | Faith-based initiatives, community outreach, facility maintenance |
| Other | Anything that does not fit the categories above |
Validation
Before you can proceed to Step 2, the following must be completed:
- Campaign Title must be filled in with at least 8 characters (max 100).
- Category must be selected from the dropdown.
- Campaign Type is set to Fundraising by default, so no action is needed unless you want to change it.
If any required field is missing or invalid, an error message appears below the field explaining what needs to be corrected.
What's Next?
After completing the basics, click Continue to proceed to Step 2: Story where you will write the appeal message and description that inspire donors to contribute.