What is a pledge top-up?
A pledge top-up is an additional commitment from a supporter to provide match funding for your campaign and is added after the main pledge stage has closed. Where top-ups are available, they increase the amount of online donations your charity can have matched.
Are pledge top-ups available for every campaign?
Arrangements vary by campaign. Check the guidance for your campaign before arranging a top-up, including whether top-ups are available and the deadline. A process used for a previous campaign may not apply to your current one.
Is a top-up the same as increasing our original pledge target?
Increasing your original pledge target and arranging a later top-up are separate requests. To increase your original pledge target, contact Big Give before the pledge deadline. For a top-up, follow the separate instructions for your campaign.
Who can provide pledge funding?
Supporters in your charity’s network can pledge, including individuals, trustees, businesses, trusts and foundations. Explain that their commitment will be used to match donations made by other supporters during the campaign.
How do we request a pledge top-up?
If your campaign offers top-ups, follow the instructions provided by Big Give. You may be asked to complete a top-up form with a revised target and budget. Wait for confirmation that the extra match funding is available before promoting it to donors.
What information does the top-up form ask for?
The form asks for your confirmed Champion funding, total pledges, total match funds, online donation target and overall campaign target. It also asks how you will spend the money. Your budget must cover at least the revised target, with each budget entry kept within the form’s 250-character limit.
Will a top-up increase our Champion funding?
A pledge top up will not bring an additional Champion award. Calculate the revised target using the Champion funding already confirmed, unless Big Give tells you that your award has changed.
How does a top-up change our campaign target?
Add the top-up to your existing match funding. Your online donation target equals the total match funding, and your overall target is the two amounts combined. For example, a £2,000 top-up allows a further £2,000 of donations to be matched, increasing the overall target by £4,000.
| Campaign amounts | Original | With £2,000 top-up |
| Pledges | £10,000 | £12,000 |
| Champion funding | £10,000 | £10,000 |
| Total match funds | £20,000 | £22,000 |
| Online donation target | £20,000 | £22,000 |
| Overall campaign target | £40,000 | £44,000 |
Example excludes Gift Aid and fees.
Can we use money our charity has already received?
Money already received by your charity cannot become a pledge. Funds raised through an event, and grants or other funding already received or confirmed, are also excluded under the pledge rules.
What order are match funds used during a campaign?
Match funding is used in this order:
- Pledges first, then Champion funding, and finally pledge top-ups.
This means donations will initially be matched against the charity’s confirmed pledges. Once those are fully used, Champion funds are applied. If those are also exhausted, any available pledge top-up funds are then used.
When and how is pledge funding paid?
Pledgers pay your charity directly after the campaign, by an agreed method such as bank transfer, cheque or CAF. Do not ask them to pay the pledge through your Big Give campaign’s donation page.
What if we do not use all the top-up?
Pledgers need only pay the amount used to match online donations. They may voluntarily give more. Check the final allocation before requesting payment.
What evidence do we need once a pledge is paid?
Upload proof by the campaign’s pledge-proof deadline. It must show the charity, the pledger’s recorded name, the amount and payment date. Suitable evidence includes a bank statement, CAF record, cheque image or payment confirmation email. Spreadsheets and screenshots of spreadsheets are not accepted.
Will donations still be doubled after the revised target is reached?
Matching depends on funds remaining in the campaign’s match pot. Reaching a higher target does not create further match funding automatically. Check the amount available before telling supporters that their donations will be doubled.