The auction and the dinner
The school auction or the capital campaign dinner runs in Clerestory: tickets and tables, a silent auction that guests bid on from their phones, a live auction and paddle raise recorded by bidder number, and one batch charge for every winner at the end of the night. Each guest gets one statement that separates the fair market value of what they won from what they gave, which is the part that matters for a contribution statement.
Put the room screen on the big display and everyone can watch the total climb toward the goal, scan a QR code to bid and give, and see a thank-you as each gift comes in.
Capital campaign pledges
Record pledges, recurring gifts and one-time gifts under a campaign, so the total is always current. Record the check that arrives in the offering plate against the donor's record, without charging a card.
Camps and classes, with waivers
Run vacation Bible school, a youth retreat or a summer camp with registration, eligibility, a waitlist, a roster and attendance. Attach a waiver, record a paper one by hand, and export every signed acknowledgment.
The bookstore and the café
Sell books and merchandise at a kiosk or on a card reader, with stock and SKUs.
Raffles
Sell raffle tickets online and at the table, and record the drawing with the winning ticket. Check your state's rules on raffles before you run one.
What Clerestory does not do
- Church management. Clerestory does not manage small groups, volunteers, worship planning or attendance. Keep your church management system for those.
- Child check-in. Clerestory does not print name tags or security labels.
- Text-to-give. Gifts are made through online forms, a kiosk or a card reader, not by text message.
What it costs
Clerestory charges 3% per transaction, on your own Stripe account, plus Stripe's processing. Donors can choose to cover the fees at checkout. If you refund a payment, our 3% comes back with it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a church use Clerestory alongside its church management system?
Yes. Clerestory handles the fundraising a church management system was not built for: the school auction, the capital campaign dinner, camps with waivers and the bookstore. The church management system keeps the Sunday offering, the member directory and check-in.
Can a church track capital campaign pledges?
Yes. Clerestory records pledges, recurring gifts and one-time gifts under a campaign so the total is always current, and a check from the offering plate can be recorded against the donor's record without charging a card.
Does a church auction statement separate fair market value from the gift?
Yes. Each guest at a Clerestory auction gets one statement that separates the fair market value of what they won from what they gave, which is the part that matters for a contribution statement.
Can a church run vacation Bible school registration with waivers?
Yes. Clerestory runs vacation Bible school, a youth retreat or a summer camp with registration, eligibility, a waitlist, a roster and attendance, attaches a waiver, records paper waivers by hand and exports every signed acknowledgment.
Does Clerestory offer text-to-give or child check-in for churches?
No. Gifts in Clerestory are made through online forms, a kiosk or a card reader, not by text message, and Clerestory does not print name tags or security labels for child check-in. Clerestory also does not manage small groups, volunteers, worship planning or attendance.
How much does Clerestory cost a church?
Clerestory charges 3% per transaction on the church's own Stripe account, plus Stripe's processing. There is no license fee, no per-seat fee and no contract, donors can choose to cover the fees at checkout, and if a payment is refunded the 3% comes back.
