How We Keep Fundraising Safe on Generous.nz

Every fundraiser asks supporters to hand over money to people they may have never met. That only works if the platform behind it takes safety seriously.

Here's the short version: every fundraiser is reviewed before it goes live, payments run through Stripe's secure systems, AI-powered screening watches for fraud in the background, and published content is sanitised so nothing unsafe can display. Safety isn't a feature here — it's the whole point.

Every fundraiser is reviewed

Before a fundraiser goes live, it's reviewed to make sure it's genuine and appropriate. This human step is the first line of defence: it keeps the platform clear of scams, and it means supporters can give with more confidence than they'd have on a random social media page.

Payments are processed securely

All payments run through Stripe, one of the world's most trusted payment processors. Supporters' card details are handled by Stripe's secure systems — not by volunteers, not by the platform, and not in plain text anywhere. Funds go to the fundraiser's verified bank account, so there's a clear, auditable trail from supporter to cause.

Fraud screening works in the background

Behind the scenes, AI-powered screening helps detect fraudulent orders and suspicious payment activity. Most supporters will never see it — it just quietly stops problems before they reach anyone. It's the kind of safety net that makes digital fundraising safer than a cash collection ever was.

Content is kept clean

Everything published on the site is sanitised so nothing unsafe can ever display — from fundraiser pages to blog posts. Scripts and dangerous content are stripped, so browsing and giving are safe from the web's nastier corners.

What you can do as a supporter

Platforms do their part, and so can you:

• Give through trusted channels. A fundraiser on a reputable platform with a reviewed page is far safer than cash to a stranger.
• Check the story. Genuine fundraisers have real details: named organisers, a clear goal, a specific outcome. Our trust guide explains the signals to look for.
• Keep receipts. If the cause is a registered charity, your donation may qualify for a tax credit — and receipts are required to claim. See the donation tax credit guide.
• Report anything odd. If a page feels off, flag it. Platforms act on reports.

What we're building toward

Safety is never finished. As fundraising evolves, so do the protections — better verification, sharper fraud detection, and clearer transparency for supporters. The goal is simple: a platform where generosity is safe by default.

Your community's trust is the most valuable thing in fundraising. Protecting it isn't a feature — it's the whole point.

Frequently asked questions

How are fundraisers checked before going live?

Every campaign is reviewed before it's approved, and suspicious activity is screened continuously. It's a human review backed by AI monitoring.

Is it safe to enter my card details?

Yes — payments are processed entirely by Stripe, one of the world's most trusted processors. Your card details never touch the platform or the fundraiser.

What happens if something goes wrong with a purchase?

There's a clear trail from supporter to cause, and the platform has processes for refunds, disputes and problems. Report the issue and it gets actioned.

How do I know a fundraiser is genuine?

Look for named organisers, a clear goal, a specific outcome and visible progress. Genuine fundraisers welcome scrutiny; scams avoid it.

Can I report a suspicious page?

Yes — flag anything that feels off and the platform reviews it. Community reporting is part of the safety net.