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How to Create a PayPal Account for Donations

If you’re looking to raise funds for a personal cause, a nonprofit, or a community project, PayPal offers a simple and trusted platform to collect donations.

How to Create a PayPal Account for Donations: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re looking to raise funds for a personal cause, a nonprofit, or a community project, PayPal offers a simple and trusted platform to collect donations. With millions of users worldwide, PayPal makes it easy for people to contribute securely from anywhere. This guide walks you through setting up a PayPal account specifically for accepting donations.

Step 1: Choose the Right PayPal Account Type

To collect donations, you’ll need either a Personal or a Business PayPal account. However, for ongoing fundraising, a Business account is recommended because it offers more tools and customization options, including donation buttons and reporting features.

How to Set Up a PayPal Business Account:

  1. Visit www.paypal.com

  2. Click Sign Up at the top right.

  3. Select Business Account and click Next.

  4. Enter your email address and create a strong password.

  5. Fill in your business details. If you’re an individual or a small group, you can register as a “Sole Proprietor.”

  6. Provide additional information like your name, address, phone number, and the purpose of the account.

Step 2: Verify Your Account

To increase trust and access PayPal’s full features, verify your account:

  • Link your bank account or credit card.

  • Confirm your email address by clicking the verification link PayPal sends.

  • Complete identity verification if prompted.

Step 3: Set Up a PayPal Donation Link or Button

There are two easy ways to collect donations once your account is ready:

Option A: Create a PayPal Donation Button (For Websites)

  1. Log in to your PayPal Business account.

  2. Go to Tools > All Tools > PayPal Buttons.

  3. Choose Donations.

  4. Customize the button text, appearance, and donation amount options.

  5. Generate the HTML code and paste it onto your website or blog.

Option B: Generate a PayPal.me Donation Link (For Social Media, Emails, or Direct Sharing)

  1. Go to www.paypal.me and create your custom link.

  2. Add /donate or specify the donation amount (e.g., paypal.me/YourLink/10).

  3. Share the link anywhere — social media, email newsletters, or text messages.