As you all can probably tell, there is now a lovely donation button looming at the top of the Star Ponies boards now. Kind of intimidating and alluring at the same time isn't it? There is no need to fear its mystery any longer because this thread will teach you everything you need to know about it. How the button works, the system used to collect the payments, the person in charge with managing the donations, what all donations go towards, what perks donators can receive, and how everyone in the community will profit off of it!

Note: Currently, the donate button on the Star Ponies forum leads to another donation button that leads to the donation form. That's because the HTML for the first button was too long to incorporate on the forum without destroying the board, so a separate HTML page was created to host it. This won't be the case on the Star Ponies website, but rest assured you are not getting fooled. Just keep following the buttons please!

To quickly navigate the to the desired field, use Ctrl+F, and enter the item at the front of each statement along with its brackets.

Table of Contents:

[SP:A] Introduction to Donations: This section will cover all the basics and technicalities of the donation system. This isn't a necessary section to read, but will let you know exactly what is going on.

[SP] How does the donation system work?

The donation system works by the user donating whatever amount they want to the guild, and then sending a private message via the Star Ponies forum to Fluttershy to register for their donator benefits.

[SP] How are payments collected?

Payments are collected through Paypal's donation system. All donated payments appear on the account's log so that the manager of the account can accurately gauge the amount donated to the guild. For more information about PayPal's donation system, please see their informational donation button page.

[SP] Who's managing the funds that are donated to the guild?

Mane Fluttershy is in direct control of the guild's account. Fluttershy manages the expenditure of the guild's funds, and distributes funds to other Manes who are paying for guild features.

[SP] What do the donations help pay for?

Donations help pay for many guild features. Without the assistance of other guild members, we would not be able to pay for some of the guild's facilities. Here is a short list of features that the donations will go towards.

• Guild website.
  
• Keeping ads off the guild forums.
  
• Major guild events and contests.
  

[SP] How do I donate?

To donate, click the button at the top of the page, and then the proceeding button. Then you will be taken to a PayPal page that you can fill out with your information and the quantity of money you wish to donate. If you have a PayPal account yourself, you can sign-in and use that to check out.

[SP:B] Donators, the Benefits of Generosity: This section will cover more pertinent information about what donators receive in thanks for their contributions.

[SP] Qualifications for donator perks.

To qualify for donator perks there is a minimum one-time $5.00 fee. Donations less than $5.00 are welcomed, but will not receive the benefits of those who donate $5.00 or more. This is not also a subscription plan, meaning that you are not obligated to keep donating after you have already given. Give the minimum, or greater, for donator benefits and you have them as long as they are available. Donating periodically is a wonderful gesture, and you will be thanked greatly for your contributions.

[SP] Donator group.

The Donator group is an exclusive group on the forums that is reserved for donators. They are given posting rights on the donator board, rather than just viewing privileges, so that the board may stay organized yet transparent to the rest of the community. They are also colorized to show everyone exactly who has donated.

[SP] Donator perks.

Donators who have given $5.00 or more will receive the following benefits.

• Membership to the donator group.
  
• Addition to the Donator Wall of Fame (see below).
  

[SP] Registering for donator perks.

To register for perks, please send a private message to Fluttershy with the following information.

Amount Donated*: This let's us double check the amount that should have been added to the account.
Email used in Donation Process*: This let's us confirm who donated so that someone else doesn't take your rightful spot.

*Required field

This thread will be updated in the future as more perks and information become available. Feel free to private message Fluttershy with any questions, and discuss this announcement in the following thread.

Donation Discussion thread

The Donator Wall of Fame is a place where donators are listed with the amount they have given to the guild. This allows the community to easily see how much each person has given to the community, financially speaking that is. It will be updated with new donators regularly, and current donators who increase the amount they give will be updated with the total amount given in here as well.

The Wall will also get more appealing as I gain more time to improve its looks.

Bluemaroon................................................................................................................................................................................................$40.50
BrazenVenture...........................................................................................................................................................................................$40.00
CKTofu.......................................................................................................................................................................................................$25.00
Desert Bear................................................................................................................................................................................................$25.00
Rydel..........................................................................................................................................................................................................$25.00
Pinkie Pie....................................................................................................................................................................................................$20.00
Infernal_Dalek............................................................................................................................................................................................$12.12
Gregam.......................................................................................................................................................................................................$10.00
Kaytzota.....................................................................................................................................................................................................$10.00
BronyQuest..................................................................................................................................................................................................$5.00