How to Accept Donations Online

Beginner 30 min 19 steps 1197 views Rating: 4.3/5 Published: 2026-02-20

Sign up for a merchant account.. Choose how you want to accept payments.. Understand merchant account fees.

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Steps

1

Sign up for a merchant account.

Step 1

Sign up for a merchant account.

2

Choose how you want to accept payments.

Step 2

Choose how you want to accept payments.

3

Understand merchant account fees.

Step 3

Understand merchant account fees.

4

Evaluate merchant account providers.

Step 4

Evaluate merchant account providers.

5

Apply for the merchant account.

Step 5

Apply for the merchant account.

6

Understand the advantages and disadvantages of a merchant account.

Step 6

Understand the advantages and disadvantages of a merchant account.

7

Begin accepting payments.

Step 7

Begin accepting payments.

8

Choose a third-party processor.

Step 8

Choose a third-party processor.

9

Find a third-party processor that specializes in working with nonprofits.

Step 9

Find a third-party processor that specializes in working with nonprofits.

10

Consider using PayPal.

Step 10

Consider using PayPal.

11

Understand the advantages and disadvantages of a third-party processor.

Step 11

Understand the advantages and disadvantages of a third-party processor.

12

Know which states in which to register your nonprofit organization.

Step 12

Know which states in which to register your nonprofit organization.

13

Fill out an initial registration application.

Step 13

Fill out an initial registration application.

14

Know if your nonprofit is exempt from registration.

Step 14

Know if your nonprofit is exempt from registration.

15

Submit IRS form 990.

Step 15

Submit IRS form 990.

16

Understand the importance of good website design.

Step 16

Understand the importance of good website design.

17

Include information about your mission.

Step 17

Include information about your mission.

18

Provide details about how you use donations.

Step 18

Provide details about how you use donations.

19

Make your site user-friendly.

Step 19

Make your site user-friendly.

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