Using PayPal and Venmo with GiveCampus

PayPal and Venmo give donors fast, familiar ways to give. Many schools see more than 50% of donors choosing these options when available.

Why this matters:

• 9 out of 10 U.S. consumers use PayPal
• Digital wallet usage spans all age groups (30%+ of Boomer gifts in 2023)
• Expands payment options without adding complexity for your team

Setting Up Your PayPal Managed Account

GiveCampus creates a new PayPal account on your behalf. This account processes both PayPal and Venmo payments. It's separate from any existing PayPal accounts and won't conflict with them.

Important: You cannot connect an existing PayPal account. The managed account keeps your account number private so donors can only give through your GiveCampus forms.

FAQ — Can the GiveCampus-managed PayPal account be enrolled in PayPal Giving Fund or other external PayPal programs?

No. The GiveCampus-managed PayPal account is dedicated solely to processing PayPal and Venmo gifts made through your forms. It cannot be enrolled in PayPal Giving Fund or connected to external PayPal programs.

If your school wants to participate in PayPal Giving Fund, you must set up a separate PayPal account directly with PayPal.

This FAQ clarifies that the restriction on connecting an existing PayPal account applies only during GiveCampus onboarding, and it does not permit using the managed account externally.

Setup steps:

1. Log in to GiveCampus as an administrator
2. Go to Online Giving > School-Level Settings > PayPal
3. Click Start Onboarding
4. Enter required information
5. Submit any additional documentation (if requested)
6. Wait for approval (typically same day)
7. Authorize PayPal deposits to your bank account
   • Contact your Business or Finance office
   • Ask them to approve PAYPALUSWD with your bank for PayPal/Venmo deposits

Tips for faster approval:

• Double-check all information for accuracy
• Use physical addresses (no P.O. boxes) for school and authorized representative
• PayPal requires the authorized rep's home address and ID (driver's license) for federal "Know Your Customer" compliance. This is used only for initial verification. GiveCampus will notify you if reverification is ever needed.

  Troubleshooting PayPal setup errors

  If you encounter an error when submitting your PayPal details, follow these steps to capture key information and resolve the issue:

  1. Reopen the PayPal setup page

     • Navigate to Online Giving > School-Level Settings > PayPal.

  2. Capture error details

     • Take a screenshot of the entire page so that field entries and error messages are visible.
     • Note the URL where the error appears.

  3. Verify and correct common issues

     • Check that all required fields are complete and values are correctly formatted (for example, no extra spaces or typos in addresses and names).
     • Double Check your EIN is entered correctly
     • Re-submit your information after correcting any issues.

  4. If the error persists

     • Keep your screenshot and the page URL handy for further troubleshooting.

How PayPal and Venmo Appear to Donors

Once approved, PayPal and Venmo automatically appear on all gift forms and event registrations. No additional setup needed. This works even for live campaigns.

Browser requirements:

Some digital wallets (PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay) may only display in native mobile browsers:

• Safari for Apple devices
• Chrome for Android devices

This is standard for all mobile wallets, not specific to GiveCampus.

Troubleshooting Venmo errors

What donors commonly see

1. A generic error when selecting Venmo.
2. A stalled or blank Venmo screen instead of the payment sheet.
3. A redirect that opens the device browser instead of the Venmo app.

Browser compatibility

Venmo appears only in native mobile browsers:

• Safari on iOS devices
• Chrome on Android devices

If donors access the donation link via an in-app or non-native browser, advise them to copy the URL and open it in Safari (iOS) or Chrome (Android).

Admin troubleshooting steps

1. Reproduce the donor's experience using the same device type, OS version, and browser, and by opening the donation link in the same way (for example, from an email or social app).
2. Gather details from the donor, including the exact error text, a screenshot, and their device information (model, OS version, browser name and version).
3. Offer an alternative payment option immediately if the donor needs to complete their gift without delay.

What to record

• A screenshot of the error or blank screen
• The exact error message (copy/paste if possible)
• The time and timezone when the issue occurred
• Donor device details (iPhone/Android, OS version, browser name/version)

If the error persists after switching to a native browser

Retain the documentation above to help identify patterns or intermittent issues.

Suggested donor message

"If you experience issues with Venmo, please open the donation link in your device's native browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android). If the problem continues, try an alternative payment option."

Tip for partners: Add a note to your donation pages like:

"Mobile wallets will be available based on the device and browser you use."

See this example from Villanova for clear donor guidance.

Current limitation: PayPal and Venmo support one-time gifts only. These options will not appear when a donor selects recurring giving.

Reporting and Deposits

In your reports:

• PayPal and Venmo gifts appear in the same donation reports as other gifts
• Look for Card Type = PayPal or Venmo
• Gifts move to Paid status immediately when processed

Deposit schedule:

• PayPal deposits are daily only, regardless of your Stripe deposit schedule
• Funds transfer automatically (no separate portal login required)
• PayPal/Venmo deposits are separate from Stripe deposits
• Each deposit has its own report in the GC Administrator Dashboard, labeled by processor (Stripe or PayPal)

Timing:

• Your bank may receive PayPal deposits before the report generates
• Deposit reports typically generate at 12pm ET
• Admins subscribed to deposit notifications receive them when reports generate, not when funds hit your bank

Questions? Contact GiveCampus Support or check the Help Center for troubleshooting.