Setting Up Your Account

Last updated: May 21, 2026

This guide walks you through the essential configuration steps to get your WeGive account ready to accept donations and engage supporters. We recommend following these steps in order.

Step 1: Organization Details

Where: Settings → Organization

Start by filling in your organization's core information. This data appears on tax receipts, giving statements, and your donor-facing portal.

  • Legal Entity Name — Your official nonprofit name (managed by WeGive support; contact us if it needs updating).

  • DBA Name — Your "doing business as" name, if different from your legal name. This is what donors will see.

  • EIN — Your Employer Identification Number, shown on tax documents.

  • Address, Phone, and Website — Contact details displayed on receipts and the donor portal.

  • Time Zone — Controls how transaction timestamps are displayed. Make sure this is set correctly.

  • Mission Statement — Shown on your donor portal to help supporters understand your cause.

You can also configure optional settings here like Dunning Flow (automated recovery emails for failed recurring donations) and Transaction Tracking URLs for analytics. Note that you must also enable the Recurring Installment Failed 1-4 Triggers if you enable the Dunning Flow.

Step 2: Invite Your Team

Where: Settings → Team

Bring your colleagues into the platform by inviting them via email. Each team member is assigned a role that controls what they can access:

  • Admin — Full access to every section and all settings.

  • Marketing — Dashboard, Campaigns, Elements, Engagements, Supporters, and Exports.

  • Development — Dashboard, Campaigns, Elements, Payments, Engagements, Supporters, Donor Portal, and Data.

  • Finance — Dashboard, Campaigns, Elements, Payments, Engagements, Supporters, and Exports.

Assign roles based on each person's responsibilities. You can update or revoke access at any time.

Step 3: Connect a Payment Processor

Where: Settings → Payment Settings

Before you can accept donations, you'll need to set up payment processing. You have two options:

Option A: WeGive Processing Click "Continue Application" and complete the underwriting form. WeGive processing offers interchange-plus nonprofit rates, a multi-processor waterfall for reliability, and no long-term commitment.

Option B: Connect Stripe If you already have a Stripe account with negotiated rates, click "Connect Stripe Account" and enter your credentials. This also enables Apple Pay and Google Pay. Note: you need a direct Stripe merchant account — sub-merchant accounts from other platforms won't work.

Hybrid option: You can use both — WeGive for cards and ACH, and Stripe for Apple Pay and Google Pay.

PayPal/Venmo: Enter your PayPal ID and click "Verify PayPal" to enable PayPal and Venmo as payment options. PayPal/Venmo only supports one-time guest transactions.

Step 4: Set Up Your Custom Domain

Where: Settings → Installation

By default, your checkout and donor portal are hosted at yourorg.wegive.com. To use your own domain (like donate.yourorganization.org):

  1. Click "Add Vanity Domain" and enter your subdomain.

  2. Copy the CNAME record details provided.

  3. Add the CNAME record to your DNS provider.

  4. Return to WeGive and click "Refresh Status" to verify.

  5. Once verified, click "Issue SSL Certificate."

  6. Set it as your default domain.

CNAME target: proxy-fallback.wegive.com (for domains created after September 27, 2024).

Step 5: Configure Your Email Domain

Where: Settings → Email Settings

Set up a custom email domain so your messages come from your organization's address instead of the default WeGive address.

  1. Click "Add Custom Domain" and enter your domain (e.g., yourorganization.org — not the full email address).

  2. Copy the authentication records provided (2 TXT records and 1 CNAME record).

  3. Add all three records to your DNS provider.

  4. Return to WeGive and verify authentication.

  5. Create your custom email addresses with display names (e.g., "WeGive Nonprofit" as the display name, "giving" as the handle → giving@yourorganization.org).

Step 6: Brand Your Donor Portal

Where: Portal → Profile Settings

Make the donor portal feel like your own by configuring the three customization tabs:

Setup tab:

  • Upload your logo and favicon.

  • Set your primary brand color using the hex color picker.

  • Customize your organization name display.

Advanced Settings tab:

  • Choose authentication options (SMS or email two-factor).

  • Configure privacy settings (hide or lock supporter info editing).

  • Enable or disable features like recurring plan management, P2P fundraising, pledges, tax documents, and impact cards.

  • Set up donor achievement badges.

Navigation tab:

  • Choose between menu and header layout.

  • Enable or disable portal sections (Profile, Home, Recurring Plans, Settings, etc.).

  • Set default checkout and registration URLs.

  • Add custom navigation buttons linking to external pages.

Step 7: Customize Your Checkout Form

Where: Elements → Checkouts

Your default checkout ("Organization Default Checkout") is ready to customize:

  • Add a banner image and description text.

  • Set suggested donation amounts (grid or dropdown format) with optional impact descriptions.

  • Configure separate amounts for one-time vs. recurring gifts.

  • Enable or disable payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, ACH, Apple Pay, Google Pay).

  • Turn on fee coverage so donors can optionally cover processing fees.

  • Add custom questions for donors to answer during checkout.

  • Customize the thank-you experience with video, text, redirect URLs, or additional giving prompts.

Step 8: Set Up Your Messages

Where: Engagement → Messages

Customize the automated emails that go out to donors after key events:

  • Donation Success — Sent when a donation is processed successfully.

  • Donation Failed — Sent when a payment fails.

  • Recurring Donation Created — Confirms a new recurring plan.

  • Donation Processing — Sent while a donation is being processed (e.g., ACH).

  • Tribute Notification — Sent when someone makes a gift in honor or memory of someone (optional).

Step 9: Purchase a Phone Number (Optional)

Where: Settings → Phone Number Settings

If you plan to use SMS messaging, purchase a branded phone number for approximately $5/month. This allows you to send text messages to supporters and receive replies.

Step 10: Migrate Your Data (If Applicable)

Where: Data → Imports / Data → Integrations

Note: Always test in your Test Account before migrating data to Production.

If you're moving from another platform:

CRM Integration: Connect your existing CRM (Salesforce, Bloomerang, Planning Center, Neon, Virtuous, DonorPerfect, CCB, or Raiser's Edge) for bi-directional data sync. Go to Data → Integrations, click "+ New Integration," and follow the configuration steps.

Manual Import: Use the Import Tool under Data → Imports to upload donor records, transaction history, and recurring plans via CSV.