# How should a school test an athon fundraising platform before launch?

Source: https://raised.nz/answers/how-to-test-an-athon-platform-before-launch
Reviewed: 2026-11-13

Test one sample class and a participant link before uploading real student details. Check bulk setup, approved names, page visibility, team attribution and the supporter fee experience. On Raised, choose Team Mode before importing members. A successful demonstration should match your school's privacy and administration requirements as well as its fundraising goals.

## What sample scenario should we use?

Use a fictional class and a school-approved test display name. On Raised, create the campaign, choose Team Mode and add a class team. Import a short CSV with one name per line. Names can be added without an email, so a younger student does not need to create an account.

A header of name,email is skipped by the importer. A first line containing only name is treated as a participant, so do not use that as a header. For a name-only trial, use lines such as Test Reader A and Test Reader B. The full importer guide explains duplicate and validation handling.



## Which views should we check?

Inspect both the main campaign page and a direct student link using a signed-out supporter view. With Privacy mode on, Raised hides public teams, member lists and leaderboards. The direct participant page still shows the approved display name and team; the link is not an authenticated private page.

1. Confirm the student link identifies the intended participant and class.
2. Choose first names, initials or school-approved aliases and check what is visible.
3. Turn off public rankings if they do not fit school policy, or use Privacy mode to hide public lists as well.
4. Check the contribution options and regional fee explanation before the final payment step.
5. Confirm who can manage the class members and who answers family questions.

## How do we test payment attribution?

Review the member and team selected before checkout. If you make a genuine test donation, obtain the school's approval and use an authorised payer; it is a real payment, and refund fees or policies may apply. Do not assume that viewing checkout proves settlement or the bank payout.

After an authorised paid test, compare the completed payment in the organiser view with the credited student and team. Check the receipt and final fee amounts. Do not use a pending, failed or cancelled payment as proof that money has been received.



## What can the demonstration not promise?

Raised's standard team leaderboard ranks total raised. Average-per-student comparisons need a separate agreed calculation. A fundraising total does not verify reading minutes, books or laps, and a team joining code does not protect the public donation page.

Choose the mode before launch. Switching between Disabled, Individual Mode and Team Mode removes existing team and member data. If a specific tracking measure or managed campaign service is essential, confirm it before inviting families rather than assuming it follows from the event template.



## Related guidance

- [CSV format and validation](https://raised.nz/help/organisers/peer-to-peer/p2p-bulk-import-members)
- [Team Mode settings and permissions](https://raised.nz/help/organisers/peer-to-peer/p2p-teams-mode)
- [Visibility and student names](https://raised.nz/help/organisers/peer-to-peer/p2p-privacy-for-schools)
- [Ask about a requirement before launch](https://raised.nz/contact)

[Start your fundraiser](https://raised.nz/start/setup?kind=athon&source=answers/how-to-test-an-athon-platform-before-launch)