Using PayPal and Venmo with GiveCampus

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.

PayPal Giving Fund and external PayPal programs

The GiveCampus-managed PayPal account is dedicated solely to processing PayPal and Venmo gifts made through your GiveCampus 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, set up a separate PayPal account directly with PayPal.

No. The GiveCampus-managed PayPal account is dedicated solely to processing PayPal and Venmo gifts made through your forms.

Sending donors directly to Venmo with a pre-populated designation

Venmo on GiveCampus is strictly a payment method used during checkout. Donors can access Venmo only through your GiveCampus giving form.

This means:

• Venmo during checkout only: The Venmo option appears only during the payment step on your giving form. There is no separate URL or QR code with a pre-populated designation.
• Processing through the managed PayPal account: All Venmo payments are routed through the GiveCampus-managed PayPal account for accurate reporting and deposits.
• External Venmo links are not integrated: QR codes or deep links created outside GiveCampus are not connected to your account. Payments made via those links will not be tracked, matched to a designation, or automatically generate a tax receipt.

To keep your records aligned:

1. Share the URL of your GiveCampus giving form or campaign as usual.
2. Instruct donors who prefer Venmo to open that link on a supported device and browser, then select Venmo at checkout.

If a donor uses an external Venmo link, record the payment manually using the standard offline gift workflow. Note that offline gifts do not generate an automatic tax receipt.

Setup steps:

1. Log in to GiveCampus as an administrator

2. Navigate to Online Giving > Banking And Deposits > PayPal to manage your PayPal setup.

3. Click Add New PayPal Account
4. Fill in your business and authorized representative information on the form that appears
5. Complete all required fields and click Submit Onboarding
6. Submit any additional documentation (if requested)
7. Wait for approval (typically same day)
8. 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

  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.

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