Facebook Fundraising Q&As

Facebook launched its charitable giving tools within the UK in November 2017.

This allows people to donate to their chosen charity or start a fundraising page, directly through Facebook.

One of the benefits of this is that it allows people to donate directly to their chosen charity without having to go to a third-party website.

Yes! Sands receives the total amount from all donations received on Facebook. The money is paid out on a fortnightly basis from Facebook to Sands.

There are several ways to donate on Facebook.

From Sands’ Facebook page:

1. Click Donate on the Page's cover photo.
2. Click the amount you'd like to give or enter an amount.
3. Select a payment method.
4. Click Donate [Amount].

From a post published by Sands’ Facebook page or shared by someone who donated:

1. Click Donate on the post.
2. Click the amount you'd like to give or enter an amount.
3. Select a payment method.
4. Click Donate [Amount].

From a Facebook Fundraiser:

1. Click Donate at the top of the fundraiser.
2. Click the amount you'd like to give or enter an amount.
3. Select a payment method.
4. Click Donate [Amount].

To create a fundraiser for Sands, click here or follow these steps:

1. Click Fundraisers in the menu of your News Feed.
2. Click Raise Money.
3. Select Nonprofit or Charity.
4. Select Sands from the list.
5. Choose a cover photo and fill in the fundraiser details.
6. Click Create.

​Note: This feature isn't available in every location.

Around a month before your birthday, you may be prompted by Facebook to set up a birthday fundraiser. You can choose to set this up for Sands and then share this with your friends on Facebook to raise money.

Click Fundraisers in the left menu of your News Feed on Facebook. It may be hidden in the Explore section.

Facebook have an algorithm (an automated process) that picks up words like ‘fundraise’, ‘donate’, ‘charity’ in their users’ posts and then gives them the option of adding a donate button to posts. This addition of a donate button actually creates an entire Facebook fundraising page. We are aware that this is a confusing and disjointed supporter experience and we are really sorry that it’s causing you frustration. All funds raised will still come to Sands.

You can close your Facebook Fundraiser through the Facebook platform. Please visit their support form here to do this.

If you choose to close your Facebook Giving page, all the money raised on there will still come to Sands. No money will be automatically refunded to the donors just because you have closed the page down. If a donor would like a refund from Facebook they must request this directly from Facebook by using the above support form.

Facebook would never refund donations made to the fundraising page creator. Refunds would only ever be issued directly to the donor, and only upon specific request.

Sands is unable to request refunds from Facebook on donors or fundraisers behalves.

If you need to request a refund from Facebook, you can follow this link.

There is currently a 0% fee from Facebook, meaning that we will receive 100% of the donated money. Facebook has stated it does not intend to make a profit from its charitable giving tools.

At this point in time Sands does not feel that the data provided by Facebook is sufficient to gift aid donations. We have to ensure that we meet rigorous guidelines laid out by HMRC in order to claim gift aid on any donations made to us and currently the data we would receive from Facebook is insufficient. We are working with Facebook to improve this to enable us to claim Gift Aid from these donations. It has also not been possible for us to remove the Gift Aid question from the current Facebook donate journey. We apologise for any confusion or disappointment this causes our supporters. You can of course complete our Gift Aid declaration separately here that will enable us to claim Gift Aid on all your eligible donations including those through Facebook.

You can add a donate button to your live video using the Facebook for iOS app or Facebook for Android app. 

Facebook for iOS 

You can add a donate button to your live video from a Facebook profile or verified Page.  

To add a donate button to your live video using the Facebook for iOS app: 

1. Tap Live Video at the top of the News Feed of your profile or verified Page 
2. Tap ... button 
3. Tap Support Nonprofit button  
4. Select a nonprofit or fundraiser you created 
5. Tap Start Live Video 

Note: For verified Pages, only Page administrators can add a donate button to a live video and the donate button can only support a nonprofit. 

Facebook for Android 

You can add a donate button to your live video from a Facebook profile to support a fundraiser that you've created.  

To add a donate button to your live video using the Facebook for Android app: 

1. Create a fundraiser 

2. Tap What's on your mind? at the top of News Feed and then tap Go Live. 

3. Tap Support Nonprofit button in bottom left-hand corner and then select your fundraiser 

4. Tap Start Live Video

Your donation to Sands on Facebook will only be seen by your friends if you choose to share it. Keep in mind that the amount of your donation won't be shared.

When you donate to a fundraiser, the creator of the fundraiser will be able to see your donation even if you don't share it.

If you need help with a recent donation you made, have questions about a fundraiser, or the status of contributions to Sands, please visit Charitable Fundraisers and Donations to learn more about raising money for Sands on Facebook.