A pledge is a trade, not a donation
You pledge an amount, you pick a reward tier, and the business delivers that reward. It is closer to a pre-order than to charity — and nothing like an investment.
You do not receive shares, interest, repayment or any financial return. Backing a business on Pledzy is not investing.
Where your money goes
You pay exactly what you pledge. The fees come out of the business's side: 5% to Pledzy — 3% for verified nonprofits — plus card processing paid to the payment provider. On a $100 pledge the business receives about $91.80.
What to expect afterwards
- Updates from the campaign as the project progresses.
- Your reward from the business itself — Pledzy does not ship or hold anything.
- A campaign that misses its goal still keeps what it raised, and still owes you your reward.
If something goes wrong
Contact the business first — most problems are a delay, not a disappearance. Refunds and substitutions are worked out between you and the business. We review every campaign before it goes public, but we cannot guarantee that a reward arrives.
Common questions
Is my pledge tax-deductible?
Generally not, because you receive a reward in return, even when the campaign is run by a nonprofit.
Can I back a campaign anonymously?
You choose what is shown publicly when you pledge. The business still needs your details to deliver the reward.
Keep reading
The signals that separate a real local business from a thin page: specific projects, real photos, honest numbers, verification and a visible owner.
Every fee on a crowdfunding pledge in plain language — platform fee, card processing and the hidden costs most owners forget — with the real math on a $25, $50 and $250 pledge.