Red Dead Redemption 2 Fundraiser Stranger Quest: Should you donate $20?

As Blanche Dubois of A Streetcar Named Desire once said: in the South, you can always rely on the kindness of strangers. So, here's what to do with the 'Fundraiser' in Red Dead Redemption 2, including what happens if you choose to donate the $20 to the woman.

This Stranger mission is available straight from Chapter 2 of the game, when you're camped at Horseshoe Overlook near the town of Valentine. To start it though, you'll have to travel quite far to the southwest, to the big city of Saint Denis. You'll also wind up in this area naturally after a while, so you can wait before seeking it out.

The capital of Red Dead Redemption 2's huge map, Saint Denis is loosely modelled on the real-life city of New Orleans, with french influences and a similarly bayou-filled surrounding area. And while this short quest isn't too tough to complete, it's rich in lore, and has consequences that reach past the end of Red Dead Redemption 2's main story.

Fundraiser Stranger quest guide

To start the Fundraiser Stranger mission in Red Dead Redemption 2, you need to head to the northwest corner of the city of Saint Denis. If you're coming here in the early game right when this Stranger has unlocked, that's probably the way you're coming anyway.

As mentioned, you'll also wind up in Saint Denis naturally as you progress with the game, so you don't need to rush to complete this quest. That said, this particular Stranger mission can become unavailable if you're caught committing crime around Saint Denis (as the fundraising woman will flee), so we recommend completing the quest as soon as you arrive in the town, if you can.

On the corner of the street, next to a cannon and close to the tailor, the fundraising woman will call out to you as you pass. She'll explain that she's fundraising for an expansion to the Quincy Harris Memorial Hall in Saint Denis, so that the less fortunate can receive some support.

You can get a cigarette card of Quincy Harris, which explains that he was a confederate general from the fictional state of Lemoyne. Although he looks more like Ulysses S. Grant, Harris shares similarities with many generals of the time.

The woman will then ask for $20 as a donation to the cause, and the choice is then yours.

This is a pretty high price early on in the game, so take a look at our guide on how to make money quickly in Red Dead Redemption 2 if you're short.

When it comes to donating $20 to the woman, you have a few options. These are as follows:

• Donate $20: Your Honor level will increase, and Arthur's name will appear on the plaque of donations outside of Quincy Harris Memorial Hall.
• Do nothing: You can choose to walk away with no repercussions or rewards.
• Loot the lockbox: You can loot the lockbox for some cash, but nearby police will be alerted and your Honor level will decrease.

Donating will give a boost to your Honor, which has a whole variety of bonuses, including discounts at shops and unique outfits. So, donating is honestly worth it, if you've the cash to spare.

Alternatively, you can steal from the donation box to decrease your Honor and attract the attention of the local constabulary.

If you choose to make a donation you will be able to come back to the completed building during the game's epilogue and see Arthur's name on the plaque outside the front door, which John Marston will also notice...

There are more Stranger quests that you can complete in Chapter 2 and beyond, including The Smell of Grease Paint, Help A Brother Out, and No Good Deed.

For a less structured diversion from Red Dead's main story, here's how to collect and store perfect pelts.