Estimated read time: 4 minutes
Overview
The CarePortal app gives you a simple way to see, respond to, and track local needs right from your phone. This guide walks you through what the app does, how to use it, and where to get help if you need it. Let's dive in!
Intended audience
Included in this article
- What is the CarePortal app?
- Key features
- Who should use the app?
- How to download the app
- How to log in
- Navigating the app
- Dashboard
- Training and Resources
- Browse Open Requests
- Responding to requests
- Provide
- Fund
- Share
- Managing your profile and notifications
- Frequently asked questions
What is the CarePortal app?
The CarePortal app is a mobile tool that alerts you in real-time when a child or family near you needs help. You can view request details, offer to Provide items, or Fund part or all of a request right inside the app. It's designed to make serving simple, fast, and personal.
Key features
The app includes everything you need to participate in CarePortal on the go:
- Real-time notifications — see new requests as soon as they're submitted and approved.
- Simple request views — read the story, see the items or amount needed, and understand the purpose behind each request.
- Quick response options — Provide, Fund, or share a request in seconds.
- Secure payment — if you choose to Fund, you can give directly through the app using your CarePortal Fund or a credit/debit card.
- Team tools (for leaders) — manage your team, view member responses, and celebrate your team's impact.
Who should use the app?
The app works great for:
- Community Responders who want quick notifications and easy ways to help
- Church Responders who need fast access to local needs
- Community Champion Leaders managing teams across organizations
- Anyone new to CarePortal who wants an easy way to get started
How to download the app
You can download the CarePortal app for free:
- iPhone: Visit the App Store and search for CarePortal.
- Android: Visit Google Play and search for CarePortal.
Tip: Make sure you allow notifications so you don't miss nearby needs.
How to log in
- Open the app.
- Enter the email address connected to your CarePortal account.
- Enter your password.
- Select
Login.
Important! Having trouble logging in? Reach out to our support team at support@careportal.org.
Navigating the app
When you open the app, tap the navigation menu icon (three horizontal white lines on an orange rounded square) in the bottom-right corner of your screen. You'll see three main areas.
Tip: If you hold roles beyond Community Responder, you'll see additional options in this menu.
Dashboard
This is the first page you see after you log in. It includes an onboarding checklist, helpful FAQs, and a carousel of local requests for quick access. As you work through the checklist, you'll learn your way around the app — and feel ready to respond to needs near you.
Training and Resources
This area helps you find answers fast. Search for Help Center articles, explore guides made for your role, or tap Browse Help Center to open the full library of resources. It's a great place to learn, troubleshoot, and grow your ministry confidence.
Browse Open Requests
Here you can see real needs posted near you. View requests in Map View, Grid View, or Table View — choose what works best for you. Filter by distance, category, purpose, and more, or search by request ID, item, or location. Tap any request to see full details and decide how you want to help.
Responding to requests
Each request in the app gives you clear ways to help. Choose to either Provide or Fund.
Provide
Choosing to Provide means you want to help by giving or securing the items yourself. This could include giving items you already have, purchasing them yourself, or performing the service personally.
When you choose this option, CarePortal notifies local Connecting Churches that you're able to Provide the selected items. Once a Church takes the lead, they'll connect with you to coordinate a delivery plan and make sure the family receives the support safely and personally.
Tip: If you're a Church Responder connected to a local Church and you choose to Provide, you may be connected directly with the requesting caseworker, depending on your Church's Response Team settings.
Fund
Choosing to Fund means you want to give money through CarePortal so a specially trained Connecting Church can meet the need on your behalf.
When you Fund a request, CarePortal notifies local Connecting Churches that resources are available. A Connecting Church that takes the lead will claim your donation, purchase the needed items, and work directly with the requesting worker to help the family. This allows Churches to build healthy, personal connections with families while ensuring safe and accountable stewardship of your gift.
Tip: If you're responding on behalf of a Connecting Church, your Church will have the first opportunity to Take the Lead on that request before other Churches are notified.
Share
You can also share a request with friends, your Church, or your Response Team to get more people involved.
Managing your profile and notifications
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Best Practice: Turn on push notifications so you see new requests right when they come in.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CarePortal app.
Do I need a CarePortal account to use the app? Yes — you must have an existing CarePortal account or be invited by your Church or organization.
Can I use the app if I'm not part of a Church? Yes! You can sign up as a Community Responder or a Community Champion to use the app independently.
Is giving through the app secure? Yes. All payments are encrypted and processed through secure, third-party providers.
Will the app show me only local needs? The app prioritizes requests near your location but also lets you adjust filters to view requests anywhere.
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