WeGive supports multiple payment processing options so your organization can accept donations through cards, ACH, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. This guide walks you through each connection method available under Settings > Payments.

Payment Processing Options at a Glance

WeGive offers three ways to process payments:

1. WeGive Payment Processing (powered by Payrix/Finix) — apply directly through WeGive and get access to nonprofit-optimized interchange-plus rates.

2. Connect Your Own Stripe Account — bring your existing Stripe merchant account and use your own processing rates.

3. PayPal / Venmo — add PayPal as an additional payment method for donors.

You can also run a hybrid configuration where WeGive handles cards and ACH while Stripe handles Apple Pay and Google Pay. Contact WeGive support to set this up.

Option 1: WeGive Payment Processing (Payrix/Finix)

This is WeGive's native processing option, offering charity-rate interchange-plus pricing (MCC 8398), automatic processor failover, a token vault for recurring donations, and daily deposit schedules by default.

How to Apply

1. Navigate to Settings > Payments.

2. Click Continue Application under the "WeGive Underwriting Application" section.

3. Complete the six-step underwriting form:

Step 1 — Organization Details: Enter your organization's legal name, DBA (if applicable), date established, and EIN. Provide your merchant name and a description of services.

Step 2 — Contact Info: Provide your organization's website URL, support email, support phone number, and mailing address (street, city, state, postal code).

Step 3 — Processing Volumes: Enter your estimated monthly digital processing volume, average transaction amount, and expected monthly transaction count.

Step 4 — Representatives: Add your organization's authorized representative with their full name, title, email, phone, SSN, date of birth, address, and driver's license information. Indicate whether this person is a controlling authority.

Step 5 — Bank Account: Enter the bank account where deposits will be sent, including the account type, account number (confirmed twice), and routing number.

Step 6 — Confirm & Submit: Review your application, accept the terms and conditions, and check the attestation box to submit.

You can save your progress as a draft at any step and return to finish later. Once submitted, WeGive will review your application and notify you when you're approved to start processing.

What You Get with WeGive Processing

• Nonprofit-optimized interchange-plus pricing (standard card, Amex, international card, and ACH rates are shown in your dashboard)

• Automatic processor failover (multiple processor waterfall)

• Token vault for securely storing recurring donation payment methods

• Daily deposit schedules configured automatically

• Payout records created directly in WeGive

• Full access to all WeGive features

Option 2: Connect Your Own Stripe Account

If your organization already has a Stripe merchant account, you can connect it directly to WeGive using Stripe's secure OAuth flow.

Requirements

• You must have a direct Stripe merchant account. Sub-merchant accounts (such as those created through platforms like Classy's "ClassyPay") will not work — you need your own standalone Stripe merchant relationship.

How to Connect

1. Navigate to Settings > Payments.

2. Click Connect Stripe Account.

3. You will be redirected to Stripe's authorization page, where you can sign in and grant WeGive access to your account.

4. After authorizing, Stripe redirects you back to your WeGive dashboard.

5. A success message confirms that your Stripe account has been connected.

Behind the scenes, WeGive stores your Stripe account ID (which starts with acct_) and uses it for all future payment processing through your account.

If Something Goes Wrong

If the connection fails, WeGive will display an error message describing the issue. Common causes include invalid Stripe credentials, denied authorization, or attempting to connect a sub-merchant account. You can retry the connection at any time from the same settings page.

What You Get with Stripe

• Use your existing Stripe rates and merchant relationship

• Apple Pay and Google Pay support

• Token vault for recurring donations

• Payout records created in WeGive and synced from Stripe

• Deposit schedules managed through your Stripe dashboard

What You Don't Get with Stripe

• No automatic processor failover (single processor only)

• No WeGive-optimized charity rates (you use your own Stripe rates)

Option 3: PayPal / Venmo

You can add PayPal as an additional payment method so donors can give via PayPal or Venmo.

How to Connect

1. Navigate to Settings > Payments.

2. Find the PayPal section.

3. Enter your PayPal ID in the field provided.

4. Click Save.

Important Notes About PayPal

• Payout records are not created in WeGive for PayPal transactions. You will need to manage deposit tracking directly in your PayPal dashboard.

• Deposit schedules must be configured in your PayPal dashboard, not in WeGive.

Hybrid Configuration

For organizations that want the best of both worlds, WeGive supports a hybrid setup:

• WeGive processing handles card and ACH donations (giving you nonprofit interchange-plus rates and processor failover).

• Stripe handles only Apple Pay and Google Pay transactions.

To set up a hybrid configuration, contact WeGive support. This requires coordinating both connections and ensuring they route to the correct payment methods.

Checking Your Connection Status

You can confirm your payment processor is connected by visiting Settings > Payments. A connected Stripe account will show your account identifier. For WeGive processing, your underwriting application status will indicate whether you've been approved and are actively processing.

Switching Processors

If you're using WeGive's native processing, you can switch processors with one click from the Payments settings. If you're using Stripe and want to switch to WeGive processing (or vice versa), complete the relevant setup steps described above.

Enabling Google Pay and Apple Pay in WeGive

WeGive supports Google Pay and Apple Pay to give your donors a faster and more convenient checkout experience. To enable these payment methods, follow the steps below.

1. Connect Your Stripe Account

To use Google Pay and Apple Pay, you must connect your own Stripe account to WeGive.

1. Navigate to Settings > Payments in the WeGive dashboard.

2. Click Add Stripe Account and follow the prompts to connect your Stripe account.

Note: WeGive requires your organization to provide its own Stripe account for these payment methods to work.

2. Enable Google Pay and Apple Pay on Your Checkout

Once Stripe is connected:

1. Go to the Checkout Element you want to update.

2. Under Payment Methods, toggle Google Pay and Apple Pay on.

3. Save your changes.

These options will now be available to donors who meet the device and browser requirements.

3. Important Display Limitations

Google Pay and Apple Pay only display when certain conditions are met:

• Apple Pay:

  • Must be using Safari on a supported device (Mac, iPhone, iPad).

  • Must have a valid card added to Apple Wallet.

• Google Pay:

  • Must be using Chrome on a supported device (desktop or mobile).

  • Must have a valid card added to Google Wallet.

If these conditions are not met, the buttons will not appear on the checkout page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both WeGive processing and Stripe at the same time? Yes, through a hybrid configuration. Contact WeGive support to set this up so that each processor handles the right payment methods.

Do I need a separate Stripe account for WeGive? You may need a dedicated Stripe account to ensure WeGive's token vault has full access. Sub-merchant Stripe accounts (like those from other platforms) will not work.

Where do I manage deposit schedules? For WeGive processing, deposits are configured to daily by default. For Stripe, manage deposit schedules in your Stripe dashboard. For PayPal, manage them in your PayPal dashboard.

What payment methods are supported by each processor? WeGive processing supports cards and ACH. Stripe supports cards, ACH, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. PayPal supports PayPal and Venmo payments.