Getting Started: The Chariot Dashboard

Drew Schneider
Sep 20, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Nov 14, 2024

How to sign up and create a Chariot account

Navigate to app.givechariot.com/signup and follow the 3 steps (described below).

Step 1: Register with your email and create a password

Make sure to use register with your organization's work email (i.e., ethan@redcross.org) to streamline the onboarding process. Registration with a non-work email can result in verification delays.

Step 2: Verify your email address

Check your inbox and click the link in the verification email. If you don't see the email after several minutes, make sure to check your spam folder. You can also request a new link by clicking "resend email" on the onboarding page.

Step 3: Build your nonprofit profile

To build your nonprofit profile, please provide your name, contact details, and search for the nonprofit organization that you would like to register with.

When you click "Next", Chariot will automatically verify that the email address you used to create your account matches the web domain we have on file for the organization.

Note: If you cannot find your nonprofit organization listed on our system, this is likely because your nonprofit record is not listed on the GuideStar database. To proceed, you’ll need an up-to-date GuideStar profile. You can read more about claiming your GuideStar profile here.

To see if your nonprofit is eligible to register with Chariot see: Can all nonprofits use Chariot?

How to add a payout method to withdrawal your donations

To access Chariot's suite of DAFpay fundraising tools, you will need to link a payout method to ensure the smooth withdrawal of funds.

Chariot offers two methods for linking a payout method:

Instant verification (recommended): Link your bank account via Plaid
Manual verification: Submit a voided check

Note: The bank account you choose to link must be owned by your organization and have the same business address.

Instant Verification (recommended)

Follow the prompts to securely connect your bank account with Plaid. This typically involves selecting your bank and entering your username and password. Once completed, Plaid will automatically verify your account details.

Why do we recommended instant verification?

Secure: Plaid uses end-to-end encryption to protect your information.

Efficient: Instant verification without the need to manually enter account details.
User-Friendly: Intuitive and straightforward process.

Manual Verification

Prepare a Voided Check: Write “VOID” in large letters across a blank check from the bank account where you want to receive funds. Make sure this check properly lists the full legal name of your nonprofit as the recipient and confirm that no other details are obscured.
Upload the Voided Check: Follow the instructions to upload an image of your voided check.

Note: The manual verification process can take 1-3 days, so we will be sure to notify you via email when your payout method has been successfully linked.

Once you’ve successfully added a payout method, you should be all set to access the rest of your Chariot dashboard.

Managing Your Integrations

If your organization already has access to DAFpay via one of our fundraising platform integrations, you will see that represented in the "Integrations" section.

If you have not yet enabled DAFpay for your fundraising platform, search for your platform and select the "Activate" button.

Managing Your Donations

When you organization receives a donation via DAFpay, you will receive an email notification from Chariot (or your fundraising platform provider).

To access your transactions, simply navigate to the 'Activity' tab on the left menu bar of your Chariot dashboard.

Note: If you integrated DAFpay via one of our Fundraising Platform integration partners, you should have access to all of the donation data on their dashboard as well.

Click into any transaction to see the donor's name, contact information, donation amount, transaction status, Donor Advised Fund provider, and donor messages.

Note: If a donor chooses to remain anonymous, their name and email address will not be visible on your transactions table.

Understanding Donation Statuses

A typical DAF grant initiated via DAFpay follows a 5-step flow.

Initiated: The donation process has officially started. This means the donor has initiated the grant recommendation in their DAF provider portal. Over 99% of the gifts initiated via DAFpay will be approved. You should have all the donor data to thank them for making the donation.
Processing: The donation is currently being approved and dispersed from the DAF provider. DAF providers vary greatly in how long they take to process DAF donor grant recommendations. Many have manual processes that can be especially slowed down during busy times of the year (like year-end). The DAF provider processing can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to send the funds.
Received: The donation has successfully been received into your Chariot account and is available for withdrawal.
Pending: The funds are in the process of being transferred out of your Chariot account and into your linked bank account. This status indicates that the transaction is in its final stages but has not yet been completed.
Completed: Congrats! The donation has been successfully withdrawn to your verified nonprofit bank account. This is the final stage for your gift tracking.

Note: If you activated DAFpay via a Fundraising Platform, these grant statuses should also be reflected on your fundraising platform dashboard, automatically.

Managing Payouts

Your organization can withdraw DAF donations directly from your Chariot account as your "Net Balance" becomes available. This be done by clicking the blue 'Withdrawal" button on your "Activity" tab or via the "Payouts" tab.

While the 'Activity' tab shows each transaction in detail, including the status of each donation, the 'Payouts' tab is designed to give you a full understanding of the status and history of your withdrawals.

Available Balance: Once donations are processed by the donor's DAF provider and are received by the DAFpay Network, they will show as "Available Balance" in your Chariot dashboard. Whereas your "Amount raised" shows the total amount of DAF donations you have received, "Available Balance" shows the funds you can collect. Available Balance is a net amount less any applicable fundraising platform fees or processing fees. See: Total balance vs available balance

Unlocking Components

Unlock Chariot Components to access our array of no-code, copy & paste DAFpay tools that enable your DAF donors to give across all touch points.

Learn more about each Component and it's use case below. To unlock your Components, click the 'Select a plan' button on your home page. Or navigate to the 'Components' tab on the right hand side menu.

Note: If your organization is interested in the Enterprise Plan, select the "Talk to us" button to speak to a sales representative. Or email us at contact@givechariot.com

Using Components

Express Checkout Button

Chariot's Express Checkout Button is an accelerated DAF checkout experience that can be added anywhere on your organization's website - just copy the HTML snippet from your dashboard.

When donors click the button, all they have to do is select their DAF, confirm their donation, and fill out some brief contact information. See example below.

Embeddable Tile

With its user-friendly design and optimized user experience, Chariot's Embeddable Tile is proven to boost conversion rates. The Embeddable Tile includes educational elements to inform your donors about Chariot and the impact of their contributions.

You can even customize the Tile to match your organizations brand theme!

Weblink & QR Code

If you don't already have a Donor Advised Fund Ways to Give page, Chariot's got you covered. Chariot's Weblink & QR Code redirect your donors to a Chariot-hosted DAF donation page. These components are great for newsletters, social media posts, and live events.