How to Collect Cash Gifts on Your Registry (Without the Awkwardness)
Honeymoon funds, group gifts, experiences and more — how to let friends and family contribute cash to your registry, and exactly what it costs.
Sometimes the gift you really want is not a thing at all. It is a honeymoon, a house deposit, a first month with a new baby, or simply the freedom to choose later. But asking for money directly can feel awkward — for you and for your guests.
A cash fund solves that. Instead of a wishlist of products, you add a fund to your registry, and guests contribute whatever they like through a normal, secure checkout. No envelopes, no e-transfers to chase, no awkward conversations.
Here is how cash funds work on Gift List, what they cost, and how to set one up in a couple of minutes.
Why add a cash fund to your registry
Cash funds are perfect when the perfect gift is an experience or a goal rather than an object. They let you:
- Pool many small gifts into one meaningful total
- Give far-away guests an easy way to take part
- Avoid duplicate or unwanted items
- Put the money exactly where you need it
And because guests can add a name and a message with every contribution, it still feels personal — you see who gave what, right in your gift inbox.
How cash funds work on Gift List
Setting up a fund takes about two minutes:
1. Connect Stripe in your settings. It is free, takes a couple of minutes, and money goes straight to your own bank account — Gift List never holds your funds. 2. Add a fund item to your registry. Give it a name like “Honeymoon fund”, “Baby fund”, or “Charity collection”. You can set a goal or leave it open-ended. 3. Suggest a few amounts. Guests see suggested contributions — say $50, $100, or $250 — and can always type their own. 4. Guests contribute through Stripe. They pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Link, add an optional message, and you are notified instantly.
You can mix and match, too: a registry can hold normal product gifts and one or more cash funds side by side. Want the full overview? See the cash funds guide.
What you can collect for
A fund can be anything. Some of the most popular:
- Honeymoon or travel funds — flights, hotels, a special dinner abroad
- Baby funds — nappies and night feeds are not glamorous, but they add up
- Home funds — a deposit, renovations, or that one big piece of furniture
- Experience gifts — concert tickets, a cooking class, a spa day
- Charity collections — ask guests to give to a cause you love instead of a gift
- Big-ticket group gifts — let ten people club together for something special
Group gifting: split one big gift
Cash funds also power group gifting. Add an expensive item — a stand mixer, a stroller, a piece of furniture — and let several guests each chip in a portion instead of one person buying the whole thing. Everyone contributes what they are comfortable with, the progress bar fills up, and nobody has to coordinate over text.
What does it cost?
Connecting Stripe and creating funds is completely free. You only pay a small fee when you actually receive money.
| On a $100 contribution | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gift List fee (5%) | $5.00 |
| Stripe processing (≈ 2.9% + 30¢) | ≈ $3.20 |
| Lands in your bank account | ≈ $91.80 |
There are no monthly fees, no setup fees, and no charge for funds that never get a contribution. You are only ever charged a percentage of money you have actually received.
Is it safe?
Yes. Payments are handled end-to-end by Stripe, one of the world’s largest and most trusted payment companies — the same infrastructure behind millions of online businesses.
- Card details are entered on Stripe’s secure checkout, never stored by Gift List.
- Money is paid into your connected Stripe account and settles to your bank on Stripe’s normal payout schedule.
- Guests do not need a Gift List account to contribute — they just tap “Contribute” and pay.
Tips to get more contributions
A few small things make a big difference:
- Suggest amounts. People give faster when they do not have to decide from a blank box.
- Set a friendly goal. A visible target (and progress bar) gently encourages people to help you reach it.
- Name it clearly. “Honeymoon in Italy” beats “Cash fund” every time.
- Add a short why. One sentence on what the money is for makes giving feel meaningful.
- Mix funds with a few products. Some guests prefer to send a physical gift — give them both options.
Ready to start?
Create your free registry, connect Stripe, and add your first fund in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I collect cash gifts on a gift registry?
Yes. With Gift List you can add a cash fund to any registry. Guests contribute through a secure Stripe checkout, and the money goes straight to your connected bank account.
How much does it cost to collect cash gifts?
It is free to set up. Gift List charges a 5% fee only on contributions you actually receive, and Stripe charges its standard processing fee (about 2.9% + 30¢ in Canada) on top. On a $100 gift, roughly $91.80 lands in your account.
Do my guests need an account to contribute?
No. Guests do not need a Gift List account. They simply tap “Contribute”, choose or enter an amount, and pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Link.
Where does the money go?
Straight to your own Stripe account, which pays out to your bank on Stripe’s normal schedule. Gift List never holds your money.
Can several people contribute to the same gift?
Yes. That is called group gifting. Add a higher-value item or an open fund, and multiple guests can each chip in a portion until it is fully funded.
What can I use a cash fund for?
Anything — honeymoons, travel, a home deposit, baby costs, experiences, charity donations, or pooling toward one big-ticket gift.
Is it safe to collect money this way?
Yes. All payments are processed by Stripe, a leading global payment provider. Card details are entered on Stripe’s secure checkout and are never stored by Gift List.
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