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      How to set up a PayPal account as an Organization

      If you're raising funds on behalf of a church, nonprofit, or other organization, you’ll need to connect a PayPal Business account to receive your donations. This guide walks you through the process step by step.

      Step 1: Start the Connection

      Once you're in your HopeGives account, click the PayPal link under Your Organizations > Select the Organization > Select the Payments tab > Click Connect PayPal

      Screenshot 2025-06-03 at 12.59.10 PM

      What to do:

      • Enter the email address you'd like to associate with your PayPal account.

      • Select your country or region (United States, if applicable).

      • Click Next.

      This will either take you to sign in to an existing PayPal account or allow you to create a new one.

      If you're creating a new account, continue with the following steps.

      Enter email-1

      Step 2: Create a Business Account

      You’ll be prompted to enter the account details:

      Name, email, password, phone-2

      What to do:

      • Enter the first and last name of the account administrator.

      • Enter the email address you'd like to use for this PayPal account (should not be tied to an existing personal account).

      • Create a secure password.

      • Add your mobile phone number for verification.

      Click Agree and Create Account to continue.

      Step 3: Choose Your Business Type

      You’ll now select the appropriate business structure:

      Select LLC,Sole,NPO-1

      What to do:

      • Select LLC, corporation, partnership, or government if you are a registered entity.

      • Or Select Nonprofit Organization as your business type if this is applicable.

      This signals to PayPal that you are operating on behalf of an official organization.

      Click Next to proceed.

      Step 4: Provide Your Organization's Basic Details

      You’ll now be asked to provide the basic information about your organization:

      Business flow and business name, EIN and address

      What to do:

      • Enter your Legal Business Name (e.g., BusinessXYZ).

      • Provide the EIN (Employer Identification Number) for your organization.

      • Add the Business Address (must be a physical location; no PO boxes).

      • Enter your City, State, ZIP code, and Business Phone Number.

      Click Next once all fields are completed to move forward.

      Step 5: Business Overview Details

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      What to do:

      • For Business Industry, choose something closest to your mission (e.g., Charitable and Social Service Organizations, or select Miscellaneous General Merchandise if unsure).

      • Enter your Date Established.

      • Confirm United States as the country.

      • Estimate your Total Monthly Donations (you can select $0 - $10,000 if unsure).

      • Select US Dollar as your primary currency.

      Step 5: Continued..

      Screenshot 2025-05-20 at 3.51.08 PM

      What to do:

      Under Info for your customers:

      • Enter your Public Business Name (or select to use your legal business name).

      • Add a Customer Service Email (or use your account email).

      • Provide a Customer Service Phone Number (or use your business phone).

      Click Next to proceed.

      Step 6: Confirm Administrator Role and Identity

      Screenshot 2025-05-20 at 3.58.58 PM

      What to do:

      • Confirm your role at the organization by selecting one of the options (e.g., you own at least 25 percent of the business or make high-level decisions).

      • Enter the administrator’s date of birth.

      • Provide the administrator’s home address — this must be a physical address, not a PO box.

      This step helps PayPal verify the identity of the person managing the account.

      Click Next to proceed.

      Step 7: Add Beneficial Owners

      Some organizations will be required to disclose their beneficial owners before submitting the application:

      Screenshot 2025-05-20 at 4.01.10 PM

      What to do:

      • Ensure that at least one person who owns 25 percent or more of the business is added.

      • Also include one person who makes high-level decisions (this can be the same person).

      • Review the listed owner information and click Add a beneficial owner if anyone else needs to be added.

      Once you've confirmed the information is accurate, click Agree and Submit.

      Final Step: Submit and Verify

      You're almost done!

      What to do:

      • Review all submitted information carefully.

      • Click Submit to complete your application.

      • Check your email and complete any verification steps PayPal sends.

      Once your PayPal Business account is approved, your HopeGives organization campaigns can begin receiving donations. 🎉

      Here's the link to get back to PayPal.