Here are some reasons to start your fundraising campaign through the OTS platform:
All-in-One Platform – Set up, manage, and track fundraisers with ease.
Team Fundraising – Boost engagement with personalized links and leaderboards.
Customizable Pages – Brand your campaign to match your mission.
Easy Payouts – Get real-time tracking and automated payouts once your fundraiser has ended.
👟Walk Through
How do I set up a fundraiser?
Head to your Fundraising Dashboard, then click the Campaigns tab on the left-hand menu. Click the red ➕ circle to create a new campaign. You can start from scratch or use one of our Fundraising Templates for a quicker setup. A popup will then appear asking for key details like your fundraiser name, goal, and description—this is what your donors will see! If you use a template, just don’t forget to customize the name, description, and items before you launch!
Using Templates & Adding Items
What is a Fundraiser Template?
These are one-click shortcuts to build your fundraiser using one of our common fundraising scenarios. When you use one of these templates all of the information, including some sample items, are created immediately.
How do I add items to my fundraiser?
Once your campaign is created, go to the Campaign Detail page, then click the red ➕ next to the Inventory section to add items.
Managing Team Members
How do I create links for my team members?
Every team member automatically gets a personal fundraising link for each campaign. These links appear on the Leaderboard of the Campaign Detail page—just look to the right of each name. To get a full list, click the red Export Team Members and Links button.
How do I add more team members?
You’ve got two options:
One-by-one: Click the red ➕ next to the Leaderboard on any Campaign Detail page.
In bulk: Go to the Team tab on the left menu. Use the Upload Team Members dropdown to upload a CSV file or paste names manually.
CSV Format: First Name in column one, Last Name in column two
Manual Format: FirstName, LastName per line
Do I have to re-add team members for every fundraiser?
Nope! Team members are automatically linked to each new campaign.
Your Fundraiser Page
Where can I find my fundraiser page?
On the campaign details page, click the View Page button in the upper-right corner.
To view a team member’s individual page, click the View link next to their name on the Leaderboard.
Donations, Value, & Tax Settings
What is the “value” of items I’m adding?
For-profits: You can ignore this section.
Schools & Nonprofits: Donors can only deduct the amount paid above an item’s base value.
Example: Selling cookies for $10 that cost you $3? Set the value at $3. The tax-deductible portion for the donor is $7.
How do I set items as tax deductible?
In your campaign settings, check the Tax Deductible box.
Even if you’re a nonprofit, this box must be checked—nothing is tax deductible by default.
⚠️ OTS does not calculate or collect taxes on your behalf. If taxes are required, it’s your organization’s responsibility to assess and remit them as needed.
Money & Distribution
When do I receive the money from my fundraiser?
You’ll receive a payout after the fundraiser’s end date.
Payouts are sent weekly on Thursdays for any campaigns that ended the prior Sunday.
Do I have to distribute the items myself?
Yes. We recommend assigning each team member a list of their buyers, so they can arrange pick-up or delivery directly.
Can I record cash sales?
Not at this time. All transactions must be processed through the fundraising platform.
🎓 Recap:
With On The Stage, launching a campaign is fast, simple, and flexible. Whether you're hosting a donation drive or selling items, the platform supports your goals with easy-to-use tools for templates, team management, and donor tracking.
🚀 Best Practices
Build a Solid Foundation – Use templates for a quick launch and customize to reflect your unique campaign.
Empower Your Team – Provide links and responsibilities clearly so each member can drive success.
Clarify Value & Deductibility – Help donors understand their tax benefits by clearly assigning item values.
Track & Optimize – Monitor campaign performance and adjust strategies as needed.
Plan Distribution Early – Ensure buyers get their items on time with clear fulfillment plans.
A smooth, well-organized fundraiser builds trust and boosts results—while making your cause shine! 🌟