Help & FAQs
Quick answers about giving, signing, running a cause and getting paid. Can't find what you need? Contact us.
Donating
Giving to a fundraiser, from payment to receipts and refunds.
Do I need an account to donate?
No. You can donate as a guest. Just enter your name and email address at checkout.
Once your payment goes through, we email you a receipt for your donation.
How do I pay, and how much can I give?
Donations are in rand and are paid securely through Paystack, using a card or any other method Paystack offers at checkout. HopeOrigins never sees your full card details.
The minimum donation is R 5 and the maximum is R 500 000 per donation.
Can I donate without my name being shown?
Yes. Tick "donate anonymously" at checkout and your name won't appear publicly on the cause page.
You can also add an optional message of support for the organiser.
What is the optional tip to HopeOrigins?
At checkout you can choose to add a tip to support HopeOrigins: 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% or a custom amount.
The tip is completely voluntary and separate from your donation, so the cause receives your donation either way.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Not through HopeOrigins. We don't issue section 18A tax certificates.
If the organiser is a registered public benefit organisation (PBO), they may issue an 18A certificate to you themselves. Ask the organiser directly.
Can I get a refund on a donation?
Contact our finance team at finance@hopeorigins.co.za. Refunds may be possible for errors, duplicate payments or fraud.
Refunds are generally not possible once the funds have been paid out to the organiser.
Signing petitions
Adding your name to a petition and staying in the loop.
Do I need an account to sign a petition?
No. All you need is your name and email address.
Petitions are always free to sign, and always free to run.
Why do I need to confirm my signature?
After you sign, we email you a confirmation link. Your signature only counts once you click it.
This keeps petitions honest: each email address can sign a cause only once.
Will my name be shown publicly?
Only if you want it to be. When you sign, you choose whether your name appears publicly on the petition.
You can also leave an optional comment explaining why you signed.
Will I get updates about the petition?
Only if you opt in when you sign. You'll then hear from the organiser about progress.
Every update email has an unsubscribe link, so you can stop them any time.
I signed but my signature isn't showing. What now?
Check your inbox and spam folder for the confirmation email and click the link inside. Unconfirmed signatures don't count.
Still stuck? Contact us at support@hopeorigins.co.za.
Running a cause
Starting, managing and wrapping up a fundraiser or petition.
What is a cause?
A cause is a page on HopeOrigins that can run a fundraiser (donations in rand), a petition (signatures), or both at once.
Anyone aged 18 or over, whether an individual or an organisation, can publish one in minutes.
How do I start a cause?
Create an account and verify your email address. Then add a title, your story, a cover photo, a category, a location and the beneficiary, and choose a fundraiser, a petition or both.
The beneficiary can be yourself, someone else or an organisation. If you're raising for someone else, you need their permission.
Publishing is instant. Our admins moderate causes, and anyone can report a cause they're worried about.
Can I post updates or get others to help?
Yes. You can post updates to keep supporters informed from your dashboard.
You can also invite team members to fundraise for your cause, each with their own page.
What happens when my petition succeeds?
You can declare victory. This closes the petition and notifies your supporters of the good news.
Can I change my fundraising goal?
Yes, but you can't lower your goal below the amount already raised.
Are there causes I can't run?
Yes. Some causes aren't allowed on HopeOrigins. Please check the list before you publish.
Payouts and fees
What it costs to raise money and how funds reach you.
What does HopeOrigins charge?
We charge a small platform fee as a percentage of donations. The current rate is on our Fees page, and it may be reduced or waived, for example for verified charities.
HopeOrigins absorbs the payment processing fees, so you don't pay those on top.
How do I get paid?
Complete identity verification, add a bank account, then request a payout from your dashboard.
Our Finance team reviews every payout request manually before paying it.
What do I need for identity verification?
Individuals upload an ID document and proof of address. Organisations also add their registration details and, where relevant, NPO or PBO details.
Your documents are only visible to our Finance team.
Are there limits on payout requests?
The minimum payout is R100.
Each cause can have only one open payout request at a time. Once it's processed, you can request another.
Why is my payout delayed?
Payouts can be delayed while a cause is under review, or while Finance completes its checks.
If you're worried about a payout, contact us at finance@hopeorigins.co.za.
Your account and safety
Signing in, protecting your data and reporting problems.
How can I sign in?
You can sign in with your password, a one-time code sent to your email, or a magic link.
I think someone else is using my account. What should I do?
Use "sign out everywhere" to end every active session on all your devices, then change your password.
Let us know at trust@hopeorigins.co.za if you notice anything suspicious.
How do you protect my personal information?
ID numbers and bank account numbers are encrypted, and bank numbers are only ever shown masked.
Identity documents are only visible to our Finance team, and we strip location data from images you upload.
How do I report a cause or suspicious activity?
Use the report button on the cause page, or email trust@hopeorigins.co.za.
Our admins moderate causes and will look into it.
How do I get more help?
Email us at support@hopeorigins.co.za and we'll help you out.