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Nonprofit organisations support and help communities in need to make a better world to live in. Every organisation is shifting to the digital world to reach more people and communities and reach the ones who need help. So, it is important for a nonprofit organisation to own a properly structured and well-functional website. 

It will encourage and make people aware to make donations or become volunteers to address the cause. A website becomes the fastest way to reach people and raise funds. To raise funds, the website needs to have donation features. You need to integrate API integration in order to accept donations easily without any hassles. 

So, while creating a nonprofit organisation, you need to keep donation features in mind. When you are deciding on the website design and domain name and adding features, make sure to add an API to accept donations. Stripe and PayPal integration to accept donations are the best options. 

At Bolder Technologies, we have experience in advanced technologies to develop websites with donation features and API integration. Our team will look after the entire development process. 

Now, we will discuss how to add donation features and API integration to your nonprofit website and CMS.

How To Add Donation Features to Nonprofit Website Builders?

Every organisation wants simple, faster, and secure donation processes. Hence, incorporating donation features into nonprofit website builders and content management systems (CMS) is the best way to facilitate the donation process. Here is your comprehensive guide to adding donation features to your nonprofit organisation:

  1. WordPress 
  • You need to install a donation plugin first into your site. The donation plugins will let you craft and develop customisable donation forms and integrate your site with payment gateways.
  • Next, you have to custom-fit your donation form in order to match your website’s branding.
  • Finally, you have to integrate payment gateways and API integration, such as Stripe and PayPal integration, to accept donations. 
  1. Wix 
  • Wix also offers several donation apps which you can add to your nonprofit organisation’s website.
  • You need to choose an app that meets your specific needs. Make sure it seamlessly integrates with your Wix website. 
  • Next, you have to tailor the donation widget to fit your website’s design and branding.
  • Later, you have to set up payment processing with the app’s API integration.
  1. Squarespace 
  • Squarespace will provide you with donation integration via third-party services.
  • You can add a Donorbox donation form to your website using the code provided.
  • Moreover, you can also tailor the form to fit your website’s existing design.
  • Next, you need to configure your payment processing and donation features within the dashboard.
  1. Shopify 
  • Shopify offers donation applications in its app store, such as Donorbox. PayPal is also one of its payment providers.
  • Shopify is the best option for nonprofit organisations to raise funds. In addition, it offers lower pricing plans for nonprofit websites. 
  • Simply select the donation app and install API integration.
  • Incorporate payment gateways for highly secured transactions.
  1. Drupal 
  • Drupal provides donation modules such as Drupal Commerce Donate or Webform Donation.
  • You need to select a donation module and configure it based on your requirements.
  • Next, you can tailor the donation form to Drupal’s administrative interface.
  • Later, incorporate the payment gateways with the module.

What are the common donation features Of API integration?

API-integrated donation features in your nonprofit organisation’s website will offer advanced functionality. This will be helpful in managing donations, improving user experience, and streamlining funds. 

The donation features integrated with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) will connect your site to connect to external sites, platforms, and databases. It will also enable automation and seamless data exchange.

Let’s check out the API-integrated donation features necessary on donation websites: 

  1. Payment Gateway Integration API 

Integrating your site with payment gateway APIs such as Stripe and PayPal integration to accept donations will secure your online donations. These API integrations will let your websites transmit payment information securely. In addition, you will receive transaction confirmations in real time. This will promote a seamless donation process.

  1. Donor Management API 

You need to integrate your website with donor management platforms and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platforms through APIs. It will aid in facilitating the synchronisation of donor information, such as donation history and communication modes between your site and external systems. It will enable customised donor interactions and streamline the data management process. 

  1. Matching Gift API 

Matching gift API integration provided by matching gift database services allows websites to search for matching gifts automatically. It will be based on donor information. The API will also guide donors in maximising their contributions using matching programs.

  1. Recurring Donation API 

Incorporating Recurring Donation API Integration with your website will aid in recurring donation functionalities. It will help you set up scheduled and automatic donations on the site. The APIs have the ability to manage the scheduling, tracking, and processing of recurring donations. It will offer donors great flexibility with a consistent revenue stream for your nonprofit organisation.

  1. Analytics and Reporting API 

Integrate your site with analytics and reporting APIs to track donation metrics. It will also let you track campaign performance and donor behaviour. The API will let sites extract data from external analytics platforms. You can also create custom reports and visualise valuable insights to implement fundraising and outreach strategies for better decision-making. 

  1. Social Media API 

Let your nonprofit organisation’s website integrate with social media APIs. You can include Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. In this way, you can effortlessly share fundraising and donation campaigns. It will let websites post updates on donations. You can also post-campaign progress and share impact stories on social media platforms. This will enhance awareness and reach a wider audience base for donations.

  1. Email Marketing API 

Adding email marketing APIs to your site will let you promote targeted fundraising campaigns and streamline donor communications. This API makes different tasks easier, such as segmenting donor lists and automating email flows. Moreover, you can track email metrics and maximise the effectiveness of fundraising efforts via emails. 

  1. Content Management System (CMS) API 

Integration of your nonprofit organisation’s site with Content Management System (CMS) API will help to update dynamic content. You can also create and customise donation forms and campaign landing pages. The API will let your site display relevant content and multimedia content from the CMS. It will ensure consistency throughout the donation pages. It will offer a seamless experience for users.

  1. Security and Compliance API 

Security and compliance API integration is essential for data encryption, regulatory compliance, and fraud prevention. It will aid the sites in implementing enhanced security measures like payment data tokenisation. It will also incorporate features like identity verification, protection of donor information, and ensuring compliance by safeguarding data regulations.

How To Add Donation Features to CMS?

In order to add donation features to a Content Management System (CMS), you need specialised tools, plugins, and custom development. 

  • Choose A Donation Solution – You need to check out the specific donation feature requirements for your site. Next, explore donation solutions that match your CMS platform. Go for reputable third-party services and plugins.
  • Donation Plugin or API Integration – When your CMS supports plugins, check out donation plugins that are compatible with your CMS. For third-party service, you can go to PayPal Donations, which provides well-developed donation widgets. If you need advanced customisation, integrate your site with donation APIs. Like Stripe and PayPal integration to accept donations.
  • Install Donation Solution – When you prefer to use a CMS plugin, install and configure via CMS’s plugin management interface. But, when you are integrating with API, you need to check out the specific documentation provided by the platform for installing the integration. 
  • Customisation of Donation Forms – You have to custom-fit the donation forms in order to match your website’s design. It must include fields for donation amounts, donor information, and optional features.
  • Payment Processing Set Up – When your donation solution needs payment processing, integrate it with a payment gateway such as PayPal and Stripe. Next, you need to configure payment settings that include payment modes and transaction fees. Also, ensure that SSL encryption is enabled on your website for secured transactions, and it should protect donor information.
  • Implementation of Donor Management – Set up a donor information management system that stores detailed donor information. It should aid in tracking donation history and classifying donor lists. Next, set up automated email responses to donations and tax receipts. The emails should provide updates on fundraising campaigns to the targeted audience base. 
  • Testing and Launching – After integrating the API, you need to test the donation process. Conduct a thorough test that should include form submission, donor communication, and payment processing. Next, you need to gather feedback from users to detect and address issues and specific areas for improvement. Later, you can move forward to launch the donation features on your CMS and supervise and track the donation activity and performance.
  • Maintenance and Updates – It is important to regularly update donation features to make sure they are functional and secure. Also, check out their compliance with changes to your CMS platform. It is better to continuously optimise donation forms based on performance analytics and feedback to improve fundraising effectiveness.

Wrapping It Up!

This is your comprehensive guide to adding exclusive donation features to your nonprofit website and CMS. Hope you have got an idea about different API integrations. So, if you want to add the features and APIs to your site, consult us to get holistic solutions.