How to set up PayPal as an individual

If you're raising funds as an individual on HopeGives, you'll need to connect a PayPal Business account to receive your donations. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the PayPal onboarding process.

Step 1: Start the Connection

Once you're in your HopeGives account click the PayPal link under Account -> Payment Management

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.

Step 2: Create a Business Account

Next, you’ll see a screen asking you to create your business account:

What to do:

• Enter your first and last name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID.

• Enter the email address you want associated with this PayPal account (ideally one not already tied to a personal PayPal account).

• Create a secure password (8 to 20 characters, including upper and lowercase letters and at least one number or symbol).

• Add your mobile phone number (you’ll use this to verify your identity).

Once all fields are filled out, click Agree and Create Account to move to the next step.

Step 3: Choose Your Business Type

Now you’ll choose the type of business that best describes your setup:

What to do:

• Select Sole proprietorship, or you sell on the side.

• When asked "What type of business is this?", choose Individual.

This tells PayPal you're raising funds as a person, not an LLC or formal nonprofit.

Click Next to continue to the next step.

Step 4: Share Your Personal Information

PayPal will ask for a few more personal details to confirm your identity:

What to do:

• Enter your date of birth.

• Provide your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

• Add your home address — this must be a residential address, not a PO box.

• Confirm your phone number again if prompted.

This information is required for PayPal to verify you and meet federal requirements. It does not affect your credit score.

Click Next to move forward.

Step 5: Tell PayPal About Your Business

This step lets PayPal know more about what you’re using the account for:

What to do:

• For Business Name, enter your full personal name (e.g., John Doe).

• For Business Industry, choose Miscellaneous General Merchandise.

• For Primary Currency, select US Dollar.

• Answer Yes when asked if you sell on a business website.

• For Business Website, enter: https://hopegives.com

• For Business Address, use your residential address (same as Step 4 if applicable).

• Under Info for your customers, confirm or enter your customer service email (your PayPal email use used previously is fine).

• Enter your customer service phone number. (Personal Phone number is fine)

Click Next to proceed.

Final Step: Submit Your Application and verify your email

You're almost done! On the final screen, PayPal will ask you to review all your information and submit the application.

What to do:

• Double-check that all your details are correct, especially your name, email, and address.

• If everything looks good, click Submit to complete the setup.

• Follow instructions in the verification email to verify your account.

Once your PayPal Business account is approved, your HopeGives campaign can start receiving donations. 🎉

Here's the link to get back to PayPal.