Getting started
Who can use PatronNow?
Any organisation that is sponsored: grassroots clubs first, and also leagues, festivals, theatres, choirs, charities and community groups. You need to be over 18 and have authority to act for the organisation.
What does it cost to start?
Nothing. The core tools are free for every organisation, with no card needed. PatronNow charges only when a sponsor pays you online through it, or when you choose a plan. See pricing.
Can we record sponsors we already have?
Yes. Add the sponsor, record the agreement and its benefits, and the delivery tracking and reports work the same way as for new ones.
Can the whole committee use it?
Yes. Invite people from Team & access as an Admin or Staff. Admins manage money, users and settings. Staff can see the workspace and record enquiry follow-ups, but cannot change money, users or settings. An admin can change someone's role at any time.
What is a sponsorship plan?
A private plan for a season, event, campaign or project. Set a target, split it into funding areas if you like, and link the assets and opportunities you will offer. The plan shows how much is agreed, how much is still to secure and how much has been paid, using your real sponsorships and invoices. Admins manage plans; staff can view them.
Sponsors and links
Do our sponsors need an account?
No. Proposals, terms, invoices and reports work from private links sent to their email address. Signing in is optional, for businesses that back several clubs.
A sponsor says their link doesn't work
Links are for the named recipient and expire. Open the proposal or invoice in your workspace and send a fresh link; the old one stops working, which is intended.
Can a sponsor change the terms after accepting?
No, and neither can you. Accepted terms are frozen for both sides. If something needs to change, send a new proposal.
Payments and fees
Where does the money go?
Straight to your organisation's own Stripe account, which you connect during setup. PatronNow never holds your money. Payouts to your bank follow Stripe's schedule.
A payment shows as "being checked"
Online payments are confirmed by Stripe, not by the sponsor's browser. The invoice updates within a few minutes of the payment settling. If it has been more than an hour, contact us with the invoice number.
Our sponsors pay by bank transfer or cash. Does that still work?
Yes. Record the payment against the invoice. Offline payments are always free and sit alongside online ones in the same history.
How do refunds work?
You can refund a sponsor payment, in part or in full, from the invoice. PatronNow's fee on the refunded part is returned; the payment provider may keep its processing cost. See refunds and cancellation.
Account and team
We need to change who runs the account
An admin invites the new person as an admin from Team & access; once they have joined, the old admin can be removed. If the only admin has left and nobody can sign in, contact us from a club address and we will verify and help.
How do we close the account?
From Settings, or by emailing us. We keep records the law requires us to keep, such as issued invoices, and delete the rest as the privacy policy describes.