What a contribution is

A contribution is a way to help a production happen without buying a ticket. You commit a dollar amount you would like to give the producer if their campaign converts. Your card is vaulted but not charged immediately — exactly the same defer-and-charge model used for ticket promises.

How a contribution works

1. On the event page, switch to the Contribute tab. (Promise tickets is the default; the Contribute tab only appears if the producer has enabled contributions for the event.)
2. You pick a tier or enter a custom amount.
3. You enter your card details on Stripe Checkout. The card is vaulted, not charged.
4. If the producer converts the campaign — which they can only do once enough patrons have promised tickets to meet the campaign's ticket threshold — your card is charged the contribution amount you chose.
5. If the campaign expires or is cancelled before conversion (for example, if the ticket threshold isn't reached by the deadline), your card is never charged and your saved card is released.

A contribution is a gift

A contribution is not a purchase. The producer does not owe you a ticket, a perk, or any other good or service in exchange for your contribution.

Some producers may choose to offer perks alongside contribution tiers — a thank-you note, a producer credit, a private rehearsal invitation, etc. These perks are offered and fulfilled by the producer alone. Promise Tickets does not verify, guarantee, or fulfill any perks a producer offers.

Immediate-collect contributions (optional)

Some producers enable a per-contribution opt-in called immediate-collect. If the producer has enabled this option on their campaign, the Contribute form will show a checkbox labeled "Send my contribution to the producer right away." It is off by default — your contribution rides the same threshold-gated contract as everyone else unless you affirmatively choose otherwise.

If you check that box at checkout:

• Your card is charged today rather than vaulted.
• The funds are released to the producer immediately.
• Your contribution doesn't count toward the campaign's ticket threshold, and it isn't returned if the campaign is cancelled.
• Refunds afterward are at the producer's discretion (same as any contribution).

This is for patrons who want to support the producer regardless of whether the event hits its threshold — a complete gift. If you'd rather your card only be charged when the producer actually has enough ticket promises to put on the event, leave the box unchecked.

You can cancel before conversion

You can cancel your contribution at any time before the campaign converts at no cost. Use the cancellation link in your contribution confirmation email or contact the producer directly.

You cannot cancel after conversion — once your card has been charged, the funds are with the producer.

If you opted into immediate-collect, the charge has already happened by the time the email arrives, so the cancellation window doesn't apply. You can still ask the producer for a refund, but they aren't required to issue one.

Refunds are at the producer's discretion

Because a contribution is a gift, the producer is not obligated to refund a contribution after it has been charged. A producer may issue a refund at their sole discretion. If you have a concern after a contribution has been charged, contact the producer directly. Promise Tickets does not initiate refunds on contributions.

Tax treatment

Contributions to for-profit producers are not eligible for a charitable tax deduction. Promise Tickets does not issue tax receipts. If a producer represents that they are a registered tax-exempt organization, you should obtain documentation from that producer directly.

Anonymity

When you submit a contribution, you can choose to display as "Anonymous." This affects how the producer sees your contribution in their dashboard listing — the producer will see the contribution amount but not your name. The producer will still have access to your email and account information for fulfillment and accounting purposes.

What you'll get from us

Promise Tickets sends you transactional emails:

• A confirmation when your contribution is recorded (card vaulted, not charged).
• A charge notification if and when the campaign converts and your card is successfully charged.
• A failure notice if the charge fails at conversion.
• A cancellation notice if you or the producer cancels the contribution before conversion.
• An expiration notice if the campaign expires without converting.

These emails are not tax receipts. See the full Contribution Terms for the legal details.