How to Create Discord Donation Tiers for Your FiveM Server

Running a high-quality FiveM server costs money. Between VPS hosting, dedicated DDoS protection, and buying premium FiveM scripts, the month-to-month expenses quickly add up.

Creating a structured, automated donation tier system via Discord is the most effective way to monetize your community while remaining compliant with Rockstar's Terms of Service. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through setting up automated donation tiers that instantly reward players with Discord roles and in-game perks.

Why Use Discord for Server Donations?

Using Discord as the primary hub for your donation tiers offers massive advantages over manual tracking:

1. Automation: When a player buys a package on your Tebex store, a bot automatically assigns them a VIP Discord role.
2. Status and Recognition: Players love showing off their supporter status. A colored role high up on the online list provides immediate gratification.
3. In-Game Reading: Your FiveM server can read the user's Discord roles to automatically grant in-game benefits like queue bypasses or custom commands.

Step 1: Planning Your Donation Tiers

Before configuring any software, decide what your tiers will look like. Rockstar's ToS heavily restricts what you can sell. You cannot sell in-game currency (cash) or real-world branded vehicles.

Here is a compliant, highly successful tier structure:

• Tier 1: Supporter ($5/month)
  • Supporter Discord Role.
  • Level 1 Tier Queue Bypass (skip ahead of non-donors).
  • Access to a VIP Discord chat channel.
• Tier 2: Premium ($15/month)
  • Premium Discord Role.
  • Level 2 Tier Queue Bypass.
  • Custom colored name in OOC chat.
  • 1x Custom ped model import.
• Tier 3: Elite ($30/month)
  • Elite Discord Role.
  • Level 3 Tier Queue Bypass (skip everyone).
  • Priority support ticket handling.
  • 1x Custom standalone housing property.

Step 2: Creating the Roles in Discord

First, head into your server's Discord settings.

1. Open Server Settings > Roles.
2. Create three new roles: `Supporter`, `Premium`, and `Elite`.
3. Give them distinct, appealing colors (like Gold, Diamond, and Platinum).
4. Select "Display role members separately from online members" to give them visibility.
5. Put the server's Bot role higher in the hierarchy than these new VIP roles. The bot cannot assign roles that are higher than its own.

Step 3: Setting Up Tebex Automation

Tebex is the official, strictly-mandated monetization platform for FiveM. You must use Tebex.

1. Create a store at Tebex.io and link it to your Cfx.re account.
2. In your Tebex dashboard, go to Integrations > Discord and link your server's Discord via their official bot.
3. Navigate to Packages > Create a Package.
4. Name the package "Premium Tier (Month)".
5. Under the Deliverables tab, select Discord Action.
6. Tell the interface to assign the `Premium` role upon purchase, and crucially, remove the role upon expiry/chargeback.

Now, whenever someone buys that package, Tebex handles the payment and automatically issues the Discord role.

Step 4: Connecting Discord Roles to FiveM Perks

Now that the player has the Discord role, how does your FiveM server know they are a VIP? You need a Discord API script.

Using Badger's Discord API or Illenium-Appearance

Most modern servers use a script like `Badger_Discord_API` or built-in Discord logging in QBCore / ESX frameworks.

With Badger's API installed:

1. Open its `config.lua`.
2. Map your Discord Role IDs to in-game string names.

``\lua

Config.RoleList = {
    ['123456789012345678'] = "Supporter", -- Replace with your Discord Role ID
    ['234567890123456789'] = "Premium",
    ['345678901234567890'] = "Elite"
}

``\

Step 5: Automating Queue Bypass (ConnectQueue)

The most sought-after perk is skipping the queue. If you use a resource like `Badger-Priorities` alongside `ConnectQueue`, you can assign queue priority values based on those Discord roles.

``\lua

Config.PriorityList = {
    ['Elite'] = 1,      -- Highest priority skips the line
    ['Premium'] = 2,
    ['Supporter'] = 3
}

``
Now, when an Elite member joins a 50-person queue, they immediately jump to the front.

Step 6: In-Game Commands and Items

You can restrict certain scripts to these roles. For instance, if you want only VIPs to use a custom chat command (like `/vipmenu`):

``\lua

RegisterCommand('vipmenu', function(source)
    if exports.Badger_Discord_API:CheckEqual(source, "Premium") then
        -- Open VIP Menu
    else
        TriggerClientEvent('chatMessage', source, "^1ERROR: You do not have the Premium role.")
    end
end)

``\

ToS Compliance and Avoiding Bans

We cannot stress this enough: Read the Cfx.re Terms of Service regarding monetization.

• Do not sell branded clothing (Nike, Gucci) as VIP perks.
• Do not sell real-world cars (BMW, Audi) via your donation store.
• Do not sell in-game money, weapons, or "pay-to-win" advantages like faster running speeds.
• Do offer cosmetic perks: Custom unbranded addon cars, queue priorities, custom MLO access, custom discord whitelisting, or Discord vanity roles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I do this without Tebex?

Technically, you could manually assign roles to people who send you money via PayPal or CashApp. However, bypassing Tebex violates the FiveM Terms of Service and will get your server blacklisted and permanently shut down.

Why didn't the Discord role sync to the player?

Ensure the player's Discord application is open and linked to their FiveM client. If a player declines Discord authorization when booting FiveM, the API cannot read their roles.

Conclusion

Automating your donation tiers is a massive weight off the shoulders of server management. By letting Tebex handle the payments, the Discord bot handle the roles, and your FiveM scripts read those roles for perks, you create a seamless, hands-free monetization engine that keeps your server financially healthy.