CharitMeHow verification works
What we check before money moves, what each badge on a campaign actually means, and — just as importantly — what verification does not guarantee.
The four checks
In the order they happen.
Identity
Every fundraiser who receives a payout connects a Stripe account, which confirms their legal identity and bank details. This happens before any money can leave the platform, not after.
Organisation status
For charities we check registration against public registries and, where available, third-party company data. A campaign is only marked tax deductible once that check passes.
Campaign evidence
Fundraisers can attach supporting documents — medical letters, invoices, receipts, photos. Evidence is reviewed rather than simply displayed, and it raises the campaign trust score.
Ongoing monitoring
Verification is not a one-off. Campaigns are re-checked as they grow, when they are reported, and when their stated purpose changes materially.
What each badge means
Every signal on a campaign card corresponds to something specific.
Verified fundraiser
Identity confirmed and payouts enabled. It means we know who is receiving the money — not that we endorse the campaign.
Tax deductible
The recipient is a verified nonprofit, so donations are generally tax deductible and receive an official receipt. Consult your own tax advice for your situation.
Trust score
A 0–99 score computed from verification status, evidence attached, update frequency, and campaign history. Higher is more complete, not more deserving.
The honest limits
A verification page that only lists strengths is not much use to someone deciding whether to give.
What verification does not mean
It is not a guarantee that a campaign will succeed, that funds will be spent exactly as described, or that we endorse the cause. It confirms identity and, for nonprofits, registration.
What we cannot check
We cannot independently confirm every claim in a personal story. Where a claim is central and unverifiable, the campaign carries a lower trust score rather than a badge.
If something looks wrong
Report it. Reported campaigns are reviewed by a person, and we can pause payouts while a review is open.
Getting verified
Individuals are verified by connecting Stripe from the campaign payout settings — it takes a few minutes. Organisations should start on the nonprofit page, which covers registration checks and team access, or contact us through partnerships.
Read the wider trust policy
How campaigns are reviewed, what gets one removed, and how to report a concern.