How do I set up or fix online donations on my website?

How do I add a Donate button with Stripe?

1. Create the link. In the Stripe Dashboard, open Payment Links and select New (or the + sign, then Payment link).
2. Let donors choose. Select Customers choose what to pay. Add a title, a short description and an image. You can set a suggested amount, and a minimum and maximum.
3. Create it. Select Create link, then copy the link with the copy icon.
4. Add a button to your page. In WordPress, edit the page, type /buttons and press Enter, and type “Donate” as the button text.
5. Link it. Select the button, choose Link in the toolbar, paste the Stripe link and press Enter.
6. Save and test. Save the page, click the button on the live site, and make a small real gift.
   • Expected result: Stripe’s payment page opens, the gift goes through, and it shows in your Stripe Dashboard.

Stripe says this option doesn’t support recurring donations. It also has rules for donations: they must be for a stated charitable purpose, and only for your own organization. Read Stripe’s donation requirements before you start. Stripe can also make a QR code for the same link, for flyers and signs, as its sharing guide explains.

The short version

• Create a donation link with your payment provider, then point a Donate button on your site at it.
• Make a small test gift and check that it reaches your account before you announce it.

Can I use PayPal instead?

Yes. Sign in at paypal.com/donate/buttons with the PayPal account that should receive the money and follow the steps to create a Donate button. PayPal’s Donate SDK page says that if you can start that flow, your account is eligible. PayPal’s options and wording vary by country and account type, so follow the screens you see.

Why did our donations stop working?

1. Test the link on its own. Paste it into a browser. If it fails there, the problem is with the payment account, not your website.
2. Check the payment account. Sign in to Stripe or PayPal and look for messages about verification, a closed account or a deactivated link.
3. Check the button. If the link works on its own, the button on your site may point to an old link. Copy the current one again.
4. Check a form plugin. If donations go through a form, see why my form won’t submit and why checkout isn’t working.

What are the common mistakes?

• The wrong account receiving the money. Make sure the payment account is in your organization’s name, with more than one person able to sign in.
• No thank-you. Turn on the provider’s receipts, and follow up personally with larger donors.
• Tax wording. Whether a gift is tax-deductible depends on your organization’s status. Ask your accountant what your receipts should say; this isn’t tax or legal advice.

How does E-3 handle this?

Create the donation link in your own Stripe or PayPal account, then send us the link and the page it belongs on through Request a change. Never send us your payment account password. A person at E-3 adds the button. Call 814-399-4655 or email support@e3help.me.

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