Upgrade Links

You can create two types of Upgrade Links:

• Recurring amount upgrade.
• Cost coverage upgrade.

This link encourages supporters to increase their monthly donation amount. For example, if a supporter currently donates $50 per month, they will see three selectors with suggested amounts such as $60, $70, and $95. They will also have the option to enter any other amount they prefer.

The suggested amounts are determined by Fundraise Up’s AI, which takes into account factors such as the supporter’s location and donation history to optimize the chances of successful upgrade.

In the example shown in this screenshot, the supporter is given the option to cover their transaction costs, similar to what they see in the original checkout form. If they already cover transaction costs for their regular donation and receive an Upgrade Link to increase their donation amount, their cost coverage will be automatically updated.

Example scenario

• Current donation: $50
• Transaction costs: $1.75
• Total amount: $51.75

If the supporter decides to increase their donation to $95, the new breakdown would be:

• New donation amount: $45
• New transaction costs: $3.33

As a result, the total monthly donation would increase from $51.75 to $98.33, rather than from $51.75 to $96.75. This process is clearly communicated to supporters.

This link encourages supporters who currently do not cover transaction costs to start doing so. For example, if a recurring supporter donates $50 per month but does not cover the fees, the Upgrade Link may prompt them to increase their regular donation to $51.75 per month to include the processing fees.

If a supporter chooses to start covering their costs, they will also be given the option to increase their main donation amount once the cost coverage is confirmed. Similarly, if a supporter who already covers their costs receives this type of link by mistake, they will be presented with the option to increase their regular donation.

When creating Upgrade Links, you have two choices: using a secure hash function or not. This decision impacts how supporters will use the links.

• With a hash function: Supporters do not need to confirm their donation by email. Once they confirm their increase on the Upgrade screen, it is immediately recorded in the system.
• Without a hash function: Supporters must confirm their donation increase through a confirmation email.

A hash function is a mathematical process that takes a set of information: the organization’s Secret key from Fundraise Up, the Supporter ID, and the Recurring ID, and transforms it into a secure code. Once a hash value is generated, it is impossible to convert it back to the original data, making the hash completely secure. The type of hash function used for our Upgrade Links is SHA256.

Here is how an Upgrade Link looks when a hash function is used:

1<https://helpinghand.demo-donorsupport.com/upgrade?recurring=RWLFHRKE&supporter=SWLFHRKJ&signature=RCFHHQFGRCFHHQFGXn56QgSe1C3Tf64cwd7E8nq1EeJycwHE>

In this example, the signature part of the link is created using the hash function. This ensures that the link is legitimate and was generated by your organization. Because of this security measure, supporters do not need to confirm their donation increase through email when they use links with a hash function.

Using Upgrade Links with a hash function typically leads to higher conversion rates since supporters skip the extra email confirmation step.

If you mistakenly send an Upgrade Link with a hash function to the wrong supporter, you must reset your Secret key. Only users with the Organization Administrator role can perform this action.

1. Go to Settings > Recurring plans.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find your Secret key.
3. Click Roll key and follow the instructions in the pop-up window.

When the Secret key is changed, existing Upgrade Links will still work. However, supporters will need to confirm any donation upgrades by email, just as they would for links without a hash function.

Beginning with the second installment, monthly supporters will have the option to increase their regular donation amount directly from their installment email. Our AI will select the suggested amounts.

Supporters who have set limits (such as maximum plan installments, maximum donation amount, or cut-off date) will not see the increase option in their final installment email.

If a supporter chooses to increase their recurring donation amount, they will not see this option in the next two installment emails.

In the Donor Portal, all active recurring plans feature a Give more button. This enables supporters to increase their recurring donation amount and opt to cover transaction costs directly from their Donor Portal.

When a supporter clicks the Give more button, they are directed to an upsell page that adjusts based on whether transaction costs are currently covered. If transaction costs are covered, the supporter can increase their donation. If not, they will also have the option to cover processing fees.

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