How to write a giving pledge customers will trust
A giving pledge is a public promise about where part of your money goes. Done well, it is one plain sentence that a customer can check against your record. Done badly, it is a vague claim that invites doubt.
Pick a form you can keep
Most business pledges take one of three forms. Choose the one that matches how your money actually comes in:
- A percentage of sales or of profit, such as “2% of every order”. Easy to explain, and it grows with the business. Be clear whether it is revenue or profit.
- A fixed amount on a schedule, such as “$250 every month”. Predictable, and it works when margins vary.
- Your own statement, such as “We fund one local school project each year”. Good when giving is in kind or project-based.
Name the causes
“To charity” is too vague to trust. Name the organisations or the kind of cause, link to them, and say how you choose them if that changes. Two or three named causes are easier to follow than a long list.
Say when and how you give
Customers don’t expect a transfer after every sale. They do expect to see that giving happens. State the rhythm, for example “paid quarterly”, and then record each contribution with its date so the rhythm is visible.
Wording that stays honest
A few habits keep a pledge from overpromising:
- Use “we give” or “we pledge”, not “you donate”, unless the customer is the one donating.
- Call your numbers self-reported unless someone else checks them.
- Avoid “verified”, “certified” or tax language unless it is literally true for your business.
- If you pause or change the pledge, update it the same day.
Examples
“We give 5% of every sale to our city’s food bank and publish each quarterly contribution.”
“Each month we donate $200, split between two animal shelters we name on our giving page.”
Write yours, put it where visitors see it, and keep a dated record next to it. PledgeBadge lets you publish the pledge, causes and contributions as one record and embed it anywhere.