What is a Branded URL?

A branded URL can replace givecampus.com in many donor-facing parts of a campaign or form URL with a branded subdomain, e.g. give.school.edu/campaign-name. This simplifies campaign/form links and provides visual familiarity and continuity for donors! 

Can we customize our Branded URL?

Yes, you can choose a URL that directs to GiveCampus. You can use any single prefix you want  (e.g., “give”, “giving”) before your school.edu domain name. Most schools use one of the following:

• give.school.edu
• giving.school.org
• alumni-friends.school.edu
• connect.school.edu

Branded URLs allow you to essentially cover up the www.givecampus.com part of a campaign or form link with your own url. 

For example, a school not on a Branded URLs may have a campaign link like this:: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/CollegeoftheHolyCross/power-of-purple-2022

Whereas a school with the Branded URL: holycross.give.edu would have a URL would look like: https://holycross.give.edu/power-of-purple-2022

How does Branded URL set up work?

Our engineers will configure the GiveCampus web server to accept incoming requests from your .edu or .org domain name, and then add an SSL certificate to allow for secure connections when loading GiveCampus in this manner. We will then send your IT contact a special URL to point a CNAME Record within your domain name configuration. This will cause your chosen URL to load GiveCampus’ servers behind-the-scenes. Your partner success manager will initiate this process by sending your team instructions and our support team will help complete the proccess!

FAQ's
 

Why do I get directed to my school page when I click to preview my campaign?

This is due to your branded URL! For security reasons, we can't pass your login token between givecampus.com and your branded URL. So when you click 'preview campaign' you're essentially trying to view it as a guest. All you need to do is login again at your branded URL (it's the same email and password as GiveCampus). Once you're logged into both URLs, everything will work as expected and you can preview the campaign on the Branded URL link.

Who has access to Branded URLs?

Branded URLs are included in the Professional and Enterprise editions of GiveCampus. If you're wondering if your school has access to a branded URL in your contract, contact your partner success manager!

Can we use a subdomain that already exists?

No, you'll need to use a new subdomain, or retire your old page in order to use that subdomain as your Branded URL. Subdomains can only point to one page at a time.

Can I redirect my Branded URL to a specific campaign?

No, your Branded URL base will always point to your school page. If you want to set up a redirect from a different subdomain to a campaign, your IT team will need to do that on your end using a 302 redirect.

How can I access my campaign/form link with the Branded URL in it?

You can manually swap out the GiveCampus.com portion of your campaign/form link with your Branded URL. Additionally, you can generate unique links which will show both the GiveCampus and Branded URL link. 

Can we configure multiple Branded URLs?

No, each instance can only have one Branded URL. You cannot set up a Branded URL just for a specific campaign. Branded URLs are for your instance as a whole.

Can I still use the GiveCampus link once my Branded URL is set up?

Yes! The GiveCampus.com link will always work. You just have the option to use the Branded URL link in addition/in place of your GiveCampus link.

FAQ: Can we shorten or style an individual campaign URL beyond our Branded URL?

Campaign-specific URL customization is not available. Branded URLs operate at the school level, replacing the givecampus.com domain, and campaign names within URLs are fixed.