Most people don’t think about data until there’s a problem. And for small nonprofits stepping into digital giving, donor data often feels like something technical that’s handled behind the scenes. But here’s the truth: knowing where your data lives, who controls it, and how it’s accessed isn’t just a back-end issue. It’s a strategic one.

Because when your donor data lives in someone else’s walled garden—or worse, when you can’t export it without begging—you’re not really building your own house. You’re just renting space. Let’s fix that.

What Even *Is* Donor Data?

Before we dig into where it lives, let’s define what we’re talking about. “Donor data” includes:

• Names and email addresses of donors
• Donation history (amounts, dates, frequency)
• Payment method and transaction IDs
• Recurring giving status
• Any notes or tags you add for segmentation or follow-up

This isn’t just contact info. It’s the foundation for donor retention, campaigns, and future growth. Which means: you need full access to it—always.

How Most Giving Platforms Handle Your Data

Not all donation platforms treat your data the same way. Some house everything on their own servers and make exporting difficult or confusing. Others blur the lines about ownership—your donor gives, but you only see part of the story.

Some tools will lock you into their ecosystem with just enough access to make you feel in control, but not enough to leave. You might get a CSV export… with 15 missing fields. Or an “integration” that syncs two pieces of info out of ten.

The result? You’re fundraising through a black box. You can’t build a better relationship with your donors because you don’t fully know them. You’re stuck reacting instead of planning.

Where the Data Actually Lives: Stripe

If your giving platform is built on Stripe—and Solafund is—your donor data lives in a secure, permissioned Stripe account that you control. That’s not a minor difference. It’s the difference between ownership and access.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Your organization has a connected Stripe account (under your EIN and bank info).
• Donor info, transaction records, and payouts all flow through your account—not someone else’s backend.
• You can log into Stripe directly and view every record, export every field, and manage refunds or disputes if needed.

That structure means you’re not just “borrowing” donor info from a tool. It’s yours. And it’s portable. You can access it today, tomorrow, or two years from now—even if you ever decide to change platforms.

Transparency Matters More Than Ever

In a world of increasing digital friction, donors expect transparency—and so should you. That means knowing:

• Where the donation went
• How fast it was deposited
• What fees were applied
• Who has access to their information

Platforms like Solafund prioritize this transparency from the ground up. The fee breakdown is clear. The receipts are branded by your organization. And you’re never left guessing about how the system works. (For a quick walkthrough of the full process, see what actually happens when someone clicks ‘donate’.)

And if a donor reaches out asking, “Can I change my recurring gift amount?” or “What day does it process?”—you’ll have the answer. Instantly. No support tickets or chasing down info.

Why Exportability = Leverage

Let’s say in 18 months your org wants to switch CRMs or plug in a new email tool. If your giving platform doesn’t offer full exports—or only offers partial data—you’re stuck. You’ll either lose valuable insights or spend days doing manual cleanup.

But if your data is housed in Stripe Connect, everything is already mapped, accessible, and portable. And Solafund ensures that any data you see in your dashboard can be exported easily. No fine print. No nonsense.

Think of it like this: you wouldn’t build your house on land someone else owns without a contract. So why build your donor base in a system where you don’t control the keys?

Ask These Questions Before Choosing a Platform

If you’re evaluating giving platforms—or already using one and wondering if it’s working for you—ask these questions:

• Do we control our Stripe account directly?
• Can we export 100% of our donor data at any time?
• What information is available in real time? Are reports delayed?
• How much access do we have to recurring giving settings?
• If we leave the platform, what happens to our donor history?

If a tool can’t answer those questions clearly, it’s time to reconsider. Your mission is too important to risk vendor lock-in or limited visibility.

Own the Relationship, Own the Growth

At the end of the day, this isn’t about software. It’s about trust. Your donors give because they believe in what you’re doing—and you owe it to them to steward that relationship well.

That starts with owning your data, understanding how it flows, and choosing tools that give you visibility, not confusion. With Solafund, your Stripe account is yours. Your donor list is yours. Your future growth? That’s yours too.

If you’re setting up online giving for the first time, this matters even more. Don’t just compare features—compare transparency and control. That’s the part most platforms won’t tell you about.