Creating a Donation Form

Reading time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner

Overview

Create a donation form that lets supporters choose their own contribution amount. This guide covers pay-what-you-want pricing with optional suggested amounts.

Prerequisites

• WP Payment Pal installed
• PayPal account connected

Step 1: Create the Form

1. Go to Payment Forms > Add New
2. Enter a title: “Support Our Cause” (or your preferred name)
3. Add a description explaining the donation purpose

Step 2: Configure Custom Amount

1. Click the Price Options tab
2. Click Add Price Option
3. Enable Custom Amount

Set Amount Constraints

Setting	Recommended Value
Minimum Amount	$5 (or your minimum)
Maximum Amount	Leave empty for no limit
Default Amount	$25 (your suggested amount)

Label Suggestions

• “Choose Your Donation Amount”
• “Enter Donation”
• “Your Contribution”

Step 3: Add Suggested Amounts (Optional)

Help donors decide by offering preset amounts alongside custom entry.

Option A: Suggested Amounts as Options

Add multiple fixed price options:

Label	Amount
Coffee	$10
Lunch	$25
Dinner	$50
Champion	$100
Custom	(Custom amount enabled)

This gives donors quick selections while allowing custom amounts.

Option B: Custom Only

Use just one custom amount option for maximum flexibility.

Step 4: Add Donor Fields

Click the Form Fields tab and add:

1. Customer Name – For thank-you communications
2. Email – Required for receipt
3. Text field (optional) – “Leave a message” for donor notes

Optional Fields

• Checkbox: “Make this donation in honor of someone”
• Text: “Honoree name”
• Checkbox: “I’d like to remain anonymous”

Step 5: Configure Confirmation

Click the Confirmation tab:

Message Option

Thank donors immediately:

Thank you for your generous donation of {amount}!

Your support makes a real difference. You'll receive a confirmation
email with your tax-deductible receipt shortly.

With gratitude,
[Your Organization]

Redirect Option

Send donors to a detailed thank-you page with:

• Impact stories
• Social sharing buttons
• Newsletter signup

Step 6: Set Up Receipt Email

Click the Notifications tab:

1. Enable Customer Receipt
2. Customize the subject: “Thank you for your {amount} donation”
3. Include tax information in the body

Example receipt body:

Dear {payer_name},

Thank you for your donation of {amount} to [Organization Name].

This email serves as your official receipt for tax purposes.

Date: {date}
Amount: {amount}
Transaction ID: {transaction_id}

[Organization Name] is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
EIN: XX-XXXXXXX

No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.

Step 7: Publish and Test

1. Click Publish
2. Embed the form on a page
3. Test with Sandbox mode
4. Verify receipt email content

Donation Form Best Practices

Compelling Description

Write a brief, emotional appeal:

“Every dollar helps provide meals for families in need.
Your donation today feeds hope for tomorrow.”

Suggested Amounts Strategy

Research shows specific amounts work better than round numbers:

• $27 instead of $25
• $53 instead of $50
• $107 instead of $100

Impact Statements

Show what donations accomplish:

• $25 = One week of meals
• $50 = School supplies for one child
• $100 = One month of tutoring

Recurring Donations

Consider creating a separate subscription form for monthly giving:

Monthly donors provide predictable income.

Frontend Preview

Your donation form will look like this:

With filled fields:

Advanced: Recurring Donations

To accept monthly donations:

1. Add a subscription price option
2. Set billing interval to Monthly
3. Enable Custom Amount on the subscription
4. Set minimum monthly amount

This allows donors to choose “Give $X every month.”

Common Questions

Can I set a minimum donation?

Yes! Set the Minimum Amount in the custom amount settings.

Can donors cover processing fees?

Not built-in, but you can:

1. Add a checkbox field: “Add $X to cover processing”
2. Create a separate price option for the fee amount
3. Use multi-select mode

How do I send tax receipts?

Enable the Customer Receipt email and include your organization’s tax ID and a statement that no goods/services were exchanged.

What’s Next?

• Creating a Subscription Plan – Monthly giving
• Configuring Customer Receipt Emails – Receipt customization
• Using Smart Tags in Emails – Dynamic content