Creating an Event without Registration Fees

Gus Figueroa

We want to create an Anniversary Event where we do not charge individuals to attend.  We would like to have individuals register.  However, we want to remove all references to "Billing" for the event form in Online Express.  Unfortunately, the system forces the selection of at least one (1) payment method resulting billing information entry.  Is there any way around this?

Karl Schutte

When creating a free event in Online Express, a few specific set-up points are needed in The Raiser's Edge and Online Express to create an event form that displays no prices and does not prompt for billing information. This Knowledgebase solution describes how to set up this type of event registration form in Online Express.



NOTE: The RE:Events module is required to set up event forms in Online Express.

1. In The Raiser's Edge:
   • Go to Records > Events and open the desired event record
   • Click on the Prices tab
   • Enter event pricing on the tab setting Gift Amount and Receipt Amount to $0.00 for each unit
   • Click Save and Close
2. Then in The Raiser's Edge, click on Online Express in the left menu.
3. Click on Events at the top.
4. Click Create a form to start a new form, or find an existing form and click Edit on the far right.
5. Within the form set-up on the Get started tab, scroll towards the bottom:
   • Add a fund if this is a new form as it's required.
   • Unmark payment methods of Credit Card and Direct Debit.
   • Mark Bill Me Later.
   • Click Save & continue to proceed with form creation. If editing an existing form, click Save and then click on the 3. Extras tab.
6. On the 3. Extras tab:
   • Unmark Allow registrants to make additional dontations.
   • Scroll down to How do you want to display free events?
     • Mark Hide price column to not show prices at all.
     • OR Unmark Hide price column to show prices of $0.00. You can also mark Display text for free prices to show FREE or other text for the price.
7. Click Save & continue if creating a new form to complete its set-up. If editing an existing form, click Save and then another tab to make further edits, followed by Save & close when done.

For additional information on setting up event forms in Online Express, refer to How to create an event form in Online Express (includes video demos).