> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.helpyousponsor.com/guides/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.helpyousponsor.com/guides/getting-started/account-setup/campaign-setup.md). # Campaign Setup Use a campaign when donors should give to a cause, fund, appeal, or designation instead of choosing an individual recipient to sponsor. A complete campaign has a campaign program, campaign-compatible settings, a donor form, a designation form, required email templates, usable payment methods, and a donation page you can share. New accounts may already include **General Campaign**. You can update that campaign, or create a new campaign when you need a separate fundraising destination. ## Create the campaign 1. Open **Programs** and choose **Campaigns**. 2. Select **Create a campaign**. 3. Confirm **Campaign** is selected as the setup path. 4. Select **Continue**. 5. Enter the campaign name and abbreviation. 6. Select **Create program**.

Campaigns shows campaign programs, peer-to-peer programs, public status, designations, and setup status.

Choose Campaign when donors should give to a general fundraising destination or designation.

Name the campaign and add a short abbreviation before attaching campaign settings.

## Attach campaign settings Choose a setting whose program type is **Campaign**. Campaign settings control the donation amounts, donation target, payment methods, donation button text, public page behavior, processing fees, and checkout options. If there is no compatible campaign setting, select **Create starter setting**. Starter campaign settings include common donation amounts and a donor-facing **Donate** button so you can finish setup, then review the full settings later. Select the setting, then choose **Attach selected setting**. > **Note:** Settings from recipient programs are not compatible with campaign setup. If a setting appears under **Other settings**, it uses a different setup path and cannot be attached to this campaign. > **Note:** After a campaign setting is attached, if no usable payment method is available, the readiness panel keeps **Payment methods** marked as missing. Review payment gateway setup and the payment options inside the setting before sharing the donation page. ## Attach donor and designation forms A campaign needs two forms: * **Donor form:** captures donor information during donation checkout. * **Designation form:** defines the campaign funds, causes, or designations donors can support. Choose the recommended forms when they match your campaign. If the designation form is missing, create the recommended starter designation form. The starter campaign form includes a **Campaign Name** field. Existing designation forms must have at least one field before they can be attached. If a form shows **Needs fields**, add fields or create the recommended starter form. Select the donor form and designation form, then choose **Attach selected forms**. ## Attach communications Attach email templates when the selected campaign setting requires email. The email set must have at least one enabled template before it can be attached. If no usable email set exists, select **Create email templates**. HelpYouSponsor creates a starter campaign email set with a donation receipt template that you can edit later. SMS templates are optional when SMS is available for your account. You can attach them during setup or add them later. Select the communication set you want to use, then choose **Attach selected templates**. ## Review campaign readiness Use the **Program readiness** panel to confirm the campaign is ready. Required setup usually includes: * Program created * Campaign setting * Payment methods * Donor form * Designation form * Email templates, when email is enabled When everything required is complete, choose **Finish setup**. If you need to pause, choose **Save and continue later** and resume from the campaign card. ## Add or review designations Campaigns can receive gifts to the campaign itself and can also use designations when donors should choose a specific fund or cause. Open the campaign to review the designations that donors can support. Use designations for choices such as: * Building fund * Medical fund * Education fund * Emergency appeal * General support ## Share the donation page When the campaign is ready, open **Manage** on the campaign card to use **Website & Embed**. Use this workspace to: * Check readiness before sharing. * Preview the campaign donation page. * Copy the **Donation Page** link. * Copy donor login links. * Copy Smart Embed code for your website. * Send the embed handoff to your website developer.

Website & Embed shows readiness, the campaign donation page link, donor login links, preview, and campaign page settings.

For the full website workflow, see [Website Integration](/guides/getting-started/account-setup/website-integration.md) and [Website & Embed](/guides/core-features/program-management/website-and-embed.md). ## What is different from recipient programs? Recipient programs show records donors can sponsor. Campaigns show a donation destination. The main differences are: * Campaign setup uses a **Campaign** setting. * Campaign setup uses a **Designation form** instead of a recipient form. * Campaign public links show a **Donation Page** instead of recipient list links. * Campaign settings use transaction amounts and donation-page options instead of recipient sponsorship completion rules. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.helpyousponsor.com/guides/getting-started/account-setup/campaign-setup.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.