# Contributions FAQ Source: https://www.opensourceeurope.org/docs/faq/contributions-faq/ Questions about contributing to our hosted collectives ## **How do I cancel recurring donations/subscriptions/payments?** See our instructions on how to cancel recurring or ongoing donations, subscriptions, payments, etc., [here](https://docs.opencollective.com/help/financial-contributors/payments#change-the-amount-payment-method-or-cancel-an-existing-contribution). ## **What if a contributor wants their contribution to be anonymous?** Contributors can make an anonymous payment by choosing [incognito](https://docs.opencollective.com/help/financial-contributors/payments#profile) when they pick a profile to pay from. If the contributor pays as a [guest](https://docs.opencollective.com/help/financial-contributors/payments#contributing-as-a-guest), the given name still shows up. The contributor just does not have to log in to make the payment. All Open Collective users can also [separate](https://opencollective.com/opencollective/updates/new-legal-and-display-name-settings) a public display name from their private legal name. ## **What if a financial contributor is unable or not comfortable with submitting their credit card information online?** If a donor is not comfortable with online credit card transactions, they can send the funds via PayPal or bank transfer. ## **Someone said they sent my collective money but I don’t see it in my account! Help?** \~or\~ ## **I sent in money but I don't see my donation on the collective's page?!** [Contact us!](https://www.opensourceeurope.org/docs/about/contact-us/) We often receive money in our bank account without any sign of where it should go. This is why it is so important to include the order number in the bank transfer. We always search carefully for the right collective, but sometimes we cannot find it. OSE keeps unidentified funds pending until it can identify the intended Collective. Once the Collective is identified, the funds can be allocated to it. There is no fixed monthly transfer schedule for unidentified funds. To follow up on a bank transfer, email with these details: * The transfer receipt * The amount * The date * The sender's name * The intended Collective * The order number, if you have it Discord is a community space. Do not use it for bank transfer cases or supporting documents. ## **What if a financial contributor requests an invoice before making the donation?** OSE can confirm receipt of a donation, but a donation confirmation is not a sales or VAT invoice. OSE primarily supports donations and grants. Before you commit to sales, invoiced services or contributions with promised benefits, contact OSE. Discuss with OSE whether it can support the arrangement and under what conditions. Do this before you make commitments or receive payment. Acceptance is not guaranteed. ## **Can we use outside fundraising platforms to fundraise for our collective?** Open Collective already includes crowdfunding tools and is the usual option. External platforms such as Patreon, Ko-fi or GoFundMe are considered case by case. Contact OSE before you set up a campaign to receive funds through OSE. The team checks payout arrangements, supporting records and any promised benefits. Compatibility and acceptance are not automatic. See [GitHub Sponsors](https://www.opensourceeurope.org/docs/how-it-works/financial-contributions-how-to-donate/setting-up-github-sponsors/) for that specific route. ## Can we receive earned income (i.e., non-donations)? OSE primarily supports donations and grants. Before you commit to sales, invoiced services or contributions with promised benefits, contact OSE. Discuss with OSE whether it can support the arrangement and under what conditions. Do this before you make commitments or receive payment. Acceptance is not guaranteed. ## **Can we offer financial contributors something in return for their donation?** Tiers can suggest contribution amounts. If you intend to promise goods, services, advertising, access or another benefit, contact OSE before you commit or receive funds. The team will check whether it can support the arrangement. Acceptance is not guaranteed. You can still acknowledge donors, as long as the acknowledgment is optional and not promised as part of a tier. ## **Can my group offer memberships/accept membership fees?** A symbolic supporter membership gives no rights or benefits. Any proposed membership with benefits must be discussed with OSE before you commit to it or collect fees. Acceptance is not automatic. ## Can my collective donate to another hosted collective? Transfers to another hosted Collective are different from ordinary external donations. Before you go ahead, get OSE’s approval of the recipient, purpose and funding conditions. Collectives[ can give to other collectives](https://docs.opencollective.com/help/financial-contributors/collective-to-collective) hosted by Open Source Europe. (If you want to give to a collective with another fiscal host, there are[ some extra steps](https://docs.opencollective.com/help/financial-contributors/collective-to-collective#across-different-fiscal-hosts).) ## U.S. tax-deductible donations The established Myriad → OCEF → OSE route supports U.S. tax-deductible giving, subject to applicable tax rules. Contact OSE before payment to organise the right route. See [U.S. giving](https://www.opensourceeurope.org/docs/what-we-offer/tax-deductible-giving-for-us-donors/). ## Donation refunds Contact the Collective administrators first. They forward the request to OSE. If they do not respond, contact OSE directly. Contact does not guarantee a refund. See [Refunds](https://www.opensourceeurope.org/docs/how-it-works/financial-contributions-how-to-donate/refunds/).