Set Up a Website to Receive Donations

Running a charitable organization is rewarding yet often time consuming. You can save some time by setting up a web destination where you can receive donations automatically. The page also allows you to spread information about your charity. When you're designing your donation website, keep a few key concepts in mind to ensure that visitors trust your cause.

1. Choose a web hosting service provider that offers templates and built-in page building software to make the process of setting up your donation website simpler. With the page building software you can select a pre-designed theme for the page and add as many new pages as you'd like with the click of a button.

2. Create three main pages for your charitable website-a homepage, information page, and donate now page. You can add more pages if needed in the future for individual programs or initiatives.

3. Welcome the viewer to your donation website on the homepage. Post a logo and motto (if applicable) for your charity at the top of the homepage and all other pages. Provide a general overview of your cause, charity's founding date, the purpose of this donation website, and a link to the other pages of your website.

4. Provide more specific details about your charity or cause on the information page. For instance, if you have an upcoming event that you are trying to raise money for, explain the purpose of the event and provide the location, date and time. Provide a history of your organization, including the names of the founders and what inspired you to start the organization.

5. Set up an account with an online payment service like PayPal to accept donations. PayPal allows you to create a secure payment page so that donors will feel more comfortable entering credit card or checking account information to send you donations.

6. Create a donation page soliciting contributions with a link to your PayPal payment service to allow the viewer to submit her payment instantly. Provide a suggested contribution on the payment page if you wish.

7. Place a note at the top of each page on your website stating your 501(c)(3) status. Many donors want to see proof that you are an actual charitable organization recognized by the government before donating online. It also makes the donation tax-deductible.