What is the best way to use PayPal for accepting donations?

[TC-HeartFund]

I would like to use PayPal to accept donations on behalf of a sick friend to help offset the mounting medical bills. What is the best way to use PayPal for accepting donations? It would be nice if I could send people on a distribution list a link to PayPal such that thye could donate any amount to my account.

[Dodgem250]

DO NOT USE PAY PAL TO ACCEPT DONATION FOR A NEEDED CAUSE !

Your funds will so tied up in Pay Pal's pocket that you will never get to use them for a sick friends needs. Ask for checks, money orders, anything to be donated to a bank account at your local bank, but do not use Pay Pal if you need that money tomorrow or the next day.

[skier]

Just because someone either does not understand PayPal or has no clue what they are doing, they pop in here and offer what they think is advice, PAY NO ATTENTION.

If you want to do things right for your Donation Project.  First, ensure that you have either a Premier or Business Account and sign up for PayPal's Website Payments Standard.  Reason is, this will allow your donors to either use a credit card or open/use their PayPal Account.   You cannot do the same with a Personal Account.  Also note, Personal Accounts have limitations as they really are intended for buying and/or sending/receiving funds from friends and/or relatives.  Note, there is no charge to upgrade to a Premier or Business Account.  You only pay a processing fee on a successful transaction.   Another benefit is that you will be able to use the online button creator to generate your Donation item button code.  It's very easy, just generate the code, copy it and paste it in a web page.

Regards,

skier 

[John_Hare]

Hello and thank you for this reply, skier...

This is precisely what I did. I have a Premier account on PayPal and generated a hosted button code to make donations of any amount and sent the link to a select list of long time online friends describing my emergency situation and asking their assistance if able to help. I used a 'donation' button rather than 'product' or 'services' button as asking for donations is hardly the sale or transfer of a product or service. I am now being asked to verify tax exempt status, charity (business) banking account information and for other documentation which I do not have as I am not a non-profit charity. This was a one time request for emergency assistance from personal friends and not an attempt to set up an ongoing charity of any kind. How do I resolve this situation? The PayPal resolution center is asking me to upload several documents (in image format only) all of which I do not have. I am really confused right now. Should deleting the hosted button entirely resolve this problem or is there something else I need to do? Any assistance you or other community members can provide me would be truly appreciated.

Sincerely ...

John Hare

[skier]

 I am now being asked to verify tax exempt status, charity (business) banking account information and for other documentation which I do not have as I am not a non-profit charity.

Unless you're applying for "non-profit status" somewhere within your Account, you should NOT be asked to verify tax exempt status.   I've generated lots of Donation item buttons online and have never been asked for any additional information.   Basically anyone who has either a Premier or Business Account can generate Donation item button code.  There's no long term commitments or any agreements involved, one simply generates the needed code and uses it as long as necessary.

Regards,

skier

[John_Hare]

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@skier wrote:

 I am now being asked to verify tax exempt status, charity (business) banking account information and for other documentation which I do not have as I am not a non-profit charity.

Unless you're applying for "non-profit status" somewhere within your Account, you should NOT be asked to verify tax exempt status.   I've generated lots of Donation item buttons online and have never been asked for any additional information.   Basically anyone who has either a Premier or Business Account can generate Donation item button code.  There's no long term commitments or any agreements involved, one simply generates the needed code and uses it as long as necessary.

Regards,

skier

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THANK YOU for continuing to follow up on this thread, my friend... I have just received an email from PayPal that following a review of my account (and quoted replies in this thread) that my PayPal Priemier account has been returned to 'regular standing'. I appreciate the assistance you have provided me in resolving this situation.

Always with respect ...

John Hare

[skier]

No worries, Glad to hear things are looking better.

Regards,

skier

[dancinfool]

Thank you skier for your reply. the first one almost scared me away...but now I know I need to upgrade to the premier account in order to ask for donations. Thank you so much.

dancin