What is a spend card?
A spend card is a payment card connected to your ImpactGraph account that you can use for:
Online purchases (software, subscriptions, registrations, etc.)
In-person purchases (supplies, travel, etc., with a physical card)
Your sponsor controls approval, limits, and allowed categories; you get clearer, trackable spending that flows into your transaction table for coding and reporting.
Requesting a new spend card
Log in to ImpactGraph.
Go to the Cards section (or wherever your workspace shows spend cards).
Click Request card in the top right-hand corner.
Fill in the card request form:
User: Select the person who will use the card
Card type:
Virtual card – best for online payments and subscriptions.
Physical card – best for in-person purchases and will be mailed to the shipping address on file.
Spending limit: Choose how much can be spent with this card.
Limit interval: Set how often the limit resets (e.g., per month).
Blocked transaction categories: Select any merchant or spending categories that should be blocked based on your sponsor’s policies or specific funding sources.
Submit the request.
Your fiscal sponsor will review and either approve or decline the request based on your organization’s policies.
Card approval and status
Once your sponsor has reviewed your request:
Approved cards will appear in your cards list.
For physical cards, you can view shipping details once available.
For virtual cards, you’ll typically see the card details once it’s active.
Activating your card
Before using an approved spend card, you may need to activate it:
Open the card from your cards list.
Click Activate.
Once activated, the card status will update to show it’s active and ready for spending.
Tip: If activation is not completed, the card will not work for purchases. Make sure your profile information is set up (address, phone) if you are having issues.
Using your spend card
All spend card transactions will:
Flow into your transaction table in ImpactGraph.
Respect any spending limits set on the card.
Be subject to blocked categories (transactions that don’t meet those criteria may be declined).
Viewing spend card history
From the transaction list:
Click Filters.
Choose Cards in the filter menu
Select the Card that you want to view
Reporting a Lost or Stolen Card
If your card is lost or stolen, immediately follow these steps:
Lock the Card: Go to Spend Cards, select the affected card, and choose Lock Card to prevent further transactions.
Report the Card: Click Report Lost or Stolen and follow the instructions to notify support. A replacement card can be issued upon request.
Review Transactions: Check your transaction history for any unauthorized charges. Contact support if you see suspicious activity.
Disputing a transaction
If your card is lost or stolen, immediately follow these steps.
FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between a virtual and a physical spend card?
A: Virtual cards exist only digitally and are ideal for online purchases and subscriptions. Physical cards are plastic cards mailed to your shipping address and can be used for in-person purchases. Both types are managed inside ImpactGraph and subject to the same sponsor-defined limits and policies.
Q: Why was my card transaction declined?
A: Common reasons include:
You’ve reached your spending limit.
The purchase falls into a blocked category set on your card.
The card hasn’t been activated yet.
If you’re not sure, check the card details in ImpactGraph and then reach out to your sponsor or contact us at [email protected].
Q: How do I change the spending limit on my card?
A: Limits are controlled by your fiscal sponsor or admin. Reach out to your sponsor and request an updated limit or interval.
Q: Where will my physical card be shipped?
A: Physical cards are shipped to the shipping address saved in your ImpactGraph profile. If your address is incorrect, update it in your profile and let your sponsor know. If you have issues with delivery, contact [email protected].
Q: How do spend card transactions show up in my reports?
A: Spend card activity flows into your transaction table. Once those transactions are coded to the correct ledger accounts (and funding sources), they will appear in your Profit & Loss and other reports, just like any other transaction.
Q: Can I use my card internationally?
A: Please confirm with your admin or fiscal sponsor if your card is enabled for international use
Q: How do I add my card to a mobile wallet?
A: Select Add to Wallet in the app, or go to your device’s wallet app and follow the instructions to add your spend card.
Q: Where can I use my spend card?
A: Your spend card is accepted anywhere Visa is supported, including most online and in-store locations.