> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vault.ky/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vault.ky/campaigns/charity-campaigns.md).

# Charity campaigns

Charity campaigns are the one place where Vault's refund behavior differs from standard crowdfunding. If you contribute to one, read this page first.

## The 20% rule

A charity campaign shows a normal funding goal, the same as any other campaign. That goal represents 100%.

| At the deadline                  | Outcome                                                      |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Reached 100% before the deadline | Succeeds normally, exactly like a standard campaign.         |
| Expired at 20% or more of goal   | The amount raised qualifies for fulfillment. **No refunds.** |
| Expired below 20% of goal        | Contributions are automatically refunded.                    |

**Example.** A charity campaign with a $1,000 goal qualifies at $200 or more at expiration. If it ends at $250, that money goes toward the charitable purpose — contributors are not refunded, even though the campaign never reached its full goal.

## What this means if you contribute

If you contribute to a charity campaign and it ends at 20% or more of its goal, **you will not receive a refund.** The campaign qualified. This is true even though the full goal was never reached.

Only a charity campaign that ends below 20% refunds its contributors.

This is the opposite of what most people expect from crowdfunding, which is why it is stated plainly here and on every charity campaign page.

## Why the exception exists

All-or-nothing funding makes sense when a campaign needs its full budget to deliver anything — a fixed-price service either gets purchased or it does not.

Charitable purposes rarely work that way. A campaign raising for supplies, relief, or a donation can put partial funding to meaningful use. Forcing that money to be returned because it fell short of an aspirational goal helps no one.

The 20% floor exists so that the amount reaching the charitable purpose is meaningful rather than negligible.

## Other differences

Charity campaigns skip the ten-minute waiting window that standard campaigns use. Once the success conditions are met, fulfillment can proceed without that delay.

## The threshold is fixed

The 20% minimum is Vault's platform rule. Campaign creators do not choose it and cannot adjust it.


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