Setting Up PayPal for Your Nonprofit: Detailed Steps Setting up a PayPal account for your nonprofit allows you to accept donations securely and efficiently, with benefits like low processing fees for verified charities and integration with platforms like Facebook or GoFundMe. The process involves creating a business account, verifying your charity status, and configuring additional features like multi-currency support. Based on PayPal's official guidelines, here's a comprehensive, step-by-step guide. This typically takes 1–3 business days for verification, but full enrollment (e.g., in PayPal Giving Fund) may take up to a week. Prerequisites Before starting, gather these documents and details for a smooth process: Nonprofit verification: IRS determination letter (for U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations), EIN (Employer Identification Number), or equivalent tax-exempt proof from your country's regulator (e.g., Charity Commission for UK charities). Account holder info: Personal details of an authorized representative (e.g., executive director or treasurer), including government-issued ID (passport, driver's license). Business info: Nonprofit's legal name, address, phone, email, and website. Bank details: U.S. bank account (routing and account numbers) for payouts; international nonprofits may need additional verification. Eligibility check: Ensure your organization qualifies (e.g., 501(c)(3) public charity, religious institution, or equivalent). Visit PayPal's eligibility page for details. Step 1: Create a PayPal Business Account Go to paypal.com and click Sign Up in the top-right corner. Select your country/language, then choose Business Account (not Personal or Premier, as those are for individuals). Enter your email address and create a strong password. Provide basic business information: Business type: Select Nonprofit Organization. Business name: Enter your nonprofit's legal name. EIN or tax ID: Input your organization's EIN. Add contact details (address, phone) and agree to the terms. Link and confirm a bank account or debit/credit card for verification (PayPal will make small deposits to confirm ownership—takes 1–3 days). Once set up, log in to your new account at paypal.com/business. This creates the foundation for accepting donations. If you already have a Personal account, upgrade it to Business via the settings menu. Step 2: Verify Your Account as a Charity (PayPal Confirmed Charity Status) Verification unlocks low fees and access to PayPal Giving Fund. This is done automatically during signup if you select "Nonprofit," but complete it fully: Log in to your PayPal Business account. Go to Account Settings > Account Access > Business Information (or search for "Confirm Charity" in the help center). Select the checkbox: This nonprofit is a registered charity. Upload required documents: Proof of nonprofit status (e.g., IRS 501(c)(3) letter). Proof of identity for the account holder and any authorized users (e.g., ID scans). Optional: Additional docs like articles of incorporation if requested. Provide bank details to link your nonprofit's account for receiving funds. Submit for review. PayPal will verify with regulators (e.g., IRS for U.S. orgs)—expect an email confirmation within 3–5 business days. If issues arise, check for outstanding requests in your account dashboard or contact PayPal support at 1-888-221-1161 (U.S.). Once approved, you'll get "PayPal Confirmed Charity (PPCC)" status, making you eligible for reduced rates and automatic enrollment in PayPal Giving Fund (an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) that passes 100% of donations to your org). Special Note for California Nonprofits: After confirmation, complete the PayPal Giving Fund enrollment form via email link (required for CA-based orgs). Step 3: Enable 3–5 Currencies for International Donations PayPal supports over 25 currencies, but you must enable them to accept/hold funds in multiple ones. This is ideal for global donors. Log in to your verified Business account. Go to Wallet > Currencies (or Tools > Multi-Currency). Click Manage Currencies and select Add Currency. Choose 3–5 currencies based on your donor base (e.g., USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD for broad coverage). For each: Link a bank account in that currency (or use PayPal's balance conversion). Enable "Hold balance in this currency" to avoid auto-conversion fees. Set your primary currency (e.g., USD) under Account Settings > Money, Banks, and Cards. Test by sending a small donation in a secondary currency via PayPal's sandbox (developer tools). International donations add a 1.50% cross-border fee on top of domestic rates, but verified charities get the lowest overall costs. Step 4: Set Up Donation Buttons and Fundraising Tools In your account, go to Tools > PayPal Buttons > Donate Button. Customize: Add your nonprofit's logo, description, suggested amounts, and currency options. Generate code to embed on your website, email, or social media. For advanced features: Integrate with Facebook/Instagram (via PayPal Giving Fund) or eBay for auctions. Enable recurring donations under Subscriptions & Recurring Payments. Step 5: Review and Optimize Fees PayPal offers special low rates for verified charities (1.99% + fixed fee for domestic charity transactions), which is lower than standard business rates (2.89% + fixed fee). PayPal-to-PayPal transfers (e.g., friends/family donations) are often free or the cheapest option—no fees if marked as "personal." Here's a quick comparison of key fees for verified charity accounts (domestic transactions; international adds 1.50%): | Transaction Type | Rate | Fixed Fee (USD Example) | Notes | |------------------|------|--------------------------|-------| | Receiving Donations (Standard) | 2.89% | $0.49 | Applies if not verified as charity. | | Receiving Charity Transactions | 1.99% | $0.49 | For verified orgs; lowest for donations via buttons/checkout. | | Sending Donations | 0% | $0 | No fee for outbound transfers. | | PayPal-to-PayPal (Personal) | 0% | $0 | Cheapest for direct donor transfers; mark as "friends/family." | | Card Payments (e.g., Virtual Terminal) | 2.19–2.69% | $0.29–$0.49 | Varies by service; interchange++ option available. | Full details and currency-specific fixed fees are available on PayPal's fee page. Fees are non-refundable and exclude currency conversion (2.5–4%). Step 6: Test and Launch Make a test donation to your account (use a separate email). Confirm funds appear in your balance and withdraw to bank. Monitor via Reports > Transaction History. Promote: Share your PayPal donate link on your site/social channels. Common Tips and Troubleshooting Security: Use two-factor authentication and limit user permissions for multiple staff. Payouts: Funds are available immediately but held 21 days for new accounts. Support: Contact PayPal Nonprofit specialists at 1-855-477-5679 or via help center. Alternatives if Needed: If PayPal doesn't fit, consider Stripe for Nonprofits (similar setup, 2.2% + $0.30 rates). For the most up-to-date info, visit PayPal's Nonprofit Guide. If your nonprofit is outside the U.S., steps may vary slightly—check your local PayPal site. Ready to start? Head to paypal.com and sign up today!

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YouTube video by Jake Broe

For decades, Russia’s aim has remained the same: to exterminate Ukrainians.Every year, on the fourth Saturday of November, Ukraine commemorates the victims of

The full leaked text of the proposed US-Russia agreement on Ukraine (translated from Russian):...

PayPal's Special Program for Ukraine Accounts: Fee Waivers and Services You're correct—PayPal maintains an ongoing humanitarian relief initiative for Ukrainian accounts, launched in response to the crisis in 2022 and extended multiple times. This program provides no or very low fees (specifically, PayPal waives its own transaction fees entirely for eligible transfers) to facilitate quick and secure fund transfers for Ukrainian individuals and refugees. As of October 5, 2025, this waiver is active and extended through March 31, 2025, with indications it may continue "until further notice" based on the situation. Note that while PayPal's fees are waived, exchange rates, card issuer fees, or bank charges may still apply from third parties. This program is separate from standard consumer fees (detailed on the page you linked: PayPal Consumer Fees) and nonprofit setups. It's primarily for personal (friends and family) peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, not commercial transactions. Below, I'll break down the details, eligibility, how it works, and how it compares to regular fees. Key Features of the Ukraine Relief Program Fee Waiver Scope: No PayPal fees for sending funds to a Ukrainian PayPal account (from anywhere in the world). No PayPal fees for receiving funds into a Ukrainian PayPal account (from Ukrainian or international senders). Covers P2P transfers via PayPal's "Friends and Family" option, including international remittances. Also applies to Xoom (PayPal's remittance service) for payments sent to Ukraine. Supported Currencies: Ukrainian accounts can send/receive in USD, CAD, GBP, and EUR. Withdrawals to linked cards/banks are processed in Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH). Withdrawals: Free transfers from your Ukrainian PayPal Wallet to a linked eligible Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card or bank account (in UAH). Instant transfers may incur standard instant fees if applicable, but the program minimizes these. Account Creation: Easy for new users—select "Ukraine" during signup, provide name, email, address, DOB, nationality, and ID (passport or national ID). Refugees abroad (e.g., in Poland, Romania) can access it if services are available in their host country. Duration: Extended through March 31, 2025; PayPal has repeatedly prolonged this (e.g., from initial June 2022 end date to December 2023, then June 2024, and now 2025). Check PayPal UA Home for updates, as changes can occur with notice. Limitations: Recipient must have a Ukrainian PayPal account to receive fee-free. Not for commercial/goods purchases (those follow standard merchant fees). Currency conversion spreads (3–4%) or external fees may apply. For full terms, see PayPal's dedicated Ukraine Personal Accounts Fee PDF and Help Center Article. How to Set Up and Use a Ukrainian PayPal Account If you're supporting Ukrainian efforts or setting this up for a nonprofit aiding Ukraine, follow these steps (takes ~10–15 minutes; verification may add 1–2 days): Create an Account: Visit paypal.com/ua/home and click Sign Up. Select Personal Account (for P2P; use Business if for nonprofit donations). Choose "Ukraine" as your country of residence. Enter personal details (name, email, address—even if abroad), DOB, nationality, and ID type/number. Link a phone number and email for verification. Verify and Link Payment Methods: Confirm email/phone via code. Link a Ukrainian bank account (if available) or eligible Visa/Mastercard debit/credit card for withdrawals. Add a U.S./international bank or card if sending from abroad (no extra verification needed for waivers). Send/Receive Funds: Log in > Send & Request > Select "Friends and Family." Enter recipient's email/phone (they need a PayPal account). Choose amount and currency (e.g., USD to UAH auto-conversion). For receipts: Funds appear instantly in the wallet; withdraw to card/bank fee-free under the program. Test a Transfer: Send a small amount (e.g., $1) to confirm no fees deducted. For Nonprofits: If your org is Ukraine-based or aiding there, combine with charity verification (as in prior steps) for even lower donation rates (1.99% + fixed fee). This program stacks for P2P support. Security tip: Enable 2FA and monitor via the app for 24/7 fraud protection. Comparison: Ukraine Program vs. Standard Consumer Fees To highlight the "very low fees" benefit, here's a table comparing key scenarios (USD-based; assumes no currency conversion for simplicity). Standard fees apply globally unless waived. | Transaction Type | Standard Consumer Fee (Domestic/International) | Ukraine Program Fee (as of Oct 2025) | Notes | |------------------|------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------| | Sending P2P (Friends/Family) – Domestic | 0% (from balance/bank); 2.90% + $0.30 (from card) | 0% | Waiver covers all methods for Ukraine sends/receives. | | Sending P2P – International | Domestic rate + 5.00% (min $0.99, max $4.99) | 0% | Huge savings; e.g., $100 send costs ~$5 normally vs. $0. | | Receiving P2P | 0% | 0% | Always free, but waiver ensures no cross-border add-ons. | | Withdraw to Bank/Card | 0% (standard); 1.75% (instant) | 0% | Processed in UAH; third-party fees may apply. | | Currency Conversion | 3–4% spread | 3–4% spread (not waived) | Applies if sending in non-UAH; use matching currency to avoid. | | Donations (Nonprofit) | 2.89% + $0.49 (domestic); +1.50% international | 1.99% + $0.49 (if verified charity); 0% for P2P under program | Program enhances for Ukraine aid orgs. | Full standard details on the Consumer Fees page you mentioned—last updated May 19, 2025. Additional Tips for Nonprofits or Global Use Integration: Embed PayPal buttons on Ukraine aid pages; mark as "personal" for waiver if applicable. Alternatives if Needed: For non-PayPal, consider Wise (low FX fees) or direct bank transfers, but PayPal's waiver makes it cheapest for quick P2P. Updates: Monitor PayPal Newsroom or contact support (1-888-221-1161 U.S.; local UA line via app). If the waiver ends post-March 2025, fees revert to standard. This program has helped millions access funds—great callout! If you're setting this up for a specific nonprofit or need steps tailored to international sending, let me know.