How To: Donate to an External Fundraiser, Race, Memorial, or School Campaign

Want to support someone’s marathon, cycling event, walk, school fundraiser, PTA/PTO campaign, memorial, or another campaign through Groundswell? Adding a donation note during checkout helps the nonprofit understand who or what your donation is intended to support.

📋 When should I use a donation note?

Use a donation note anytime your donation needs to be directed toward a specific person, fundraiser, or campaign, including:

🏃 Marathon, cycling, walking, or event fundraisers

🎓 School fundraisers or PTA/PTO campaigns

❤️ Memorial or tribute donations

🧒 Sponsoring a child or participant

🙌 Sending a message of appreciation to the nonprofit

🌐 Donating on the Web

Step 1

From your homepage, click Donate, or navigate to the Give page.

Step 2

Search for and select the nonprofit you’d like to support.

Step 3

Click Donate on the nonprofit’s page.

Step 4

Complete your donation details, including:

Donation amount
Match amount, if available
Your funding source

Step 5

When prompted during checkout, select Add a note and enter the information requested by the nonprofit.

Step 6

Click Donate to complete your gift.

📱 Donating in the Mobile App

Step 1

Tap Donate from the homepage.

Step 2

Search for and select the nonprofit.

Step 3

Tap One-time donation.

Step 4

Choose your donation amount.

Step 5

On the confirmation screen, turn on Include a note, then enter the relevant fundraiser or campaign details.

Step 6

Tap Donate.

📝 What should I include in my note?

For race or event fundraisers, include:

Race or event name
Team name, if applicable
Fundraiser’s name, or indicate if it is your own fundraiser

Example:

2026 Chicago Marathon
Team in Training
Runner: Jane Smith

For child sponsorships or school campaigns, include:

Child or student’s name
Student, sponsor, or account ID, if required
School or event name
Any other instructions provided by the nonprofit

Example:

Student: Sally Jo
California High School
Jog-a-thon Fundraiser

💬 Other ways to use donation notes

Donation notes can be used for more than fundraisers. They’re also a great way to:

Leave a message of appreciation, such as "Thank you for all you do!"
Make a donation in honor or memory of someone, such as "In honor of..." or "In memory of..."

✅ What happens next?

Once your donation has been processed and distributed, the nonprofit will receive both your donation and the donation note you included.

If you donated to a specific fundraiser, race participant, school campaign, memorial, or sponsorship, the nonprofit will use the information in your donation note to attribute the funds to the correct fundraiser, participant, or campaign in its own system.

💡 Tip: Including complete and accurate information in your donation note—such as the participant’s full name, race name, or student ID—helps the nonprofit ensure your donation is credited correctly.