How Givebutter Connects to Stripe and PayPal for Donations

Givebutter uses Stripe and PayPal to move donation money from donors to nonprofits

Givebutter is a fundraising platform built for nonprofits, churches, schools, and community groups. When someone donates through Givebutter, the money doesn't stay there — it flows through either Stripe or PayPal, depending on which one your organization connects. Givebutter itself is the interface where donors give; Stripe and PayPal are the actual payment processors that handle the transaction and move the funds to your bank account.

Think of it this way: Givebutter is the storefront, and Stripe or PayPal is the cash register and the bank vault combined. You choose which one to use when you set up your Givebutter account, and that choice affects how fast money reaches you, what fees you pay, and what payment methods your donors can use.

Key Takeaways

• Givebutter requires you to connect either Stripe or PayPal to receive donations — the platform itself does not hold the money.
• Stripe and PayPal charge different fees per transaction, and Givebutter adds its own fee on top, so your total cost varies by processor.
• Stripe typically deposits money to your bank account faster than PayPal, usually within one to two business days.
• Your choice of processor affects which payment methods donors see — some donors prefer one over the other, and not all methods work with both.
• You can switch between Stripe and PayPal in your Givebutter settings, but doing so mid-campaign may confuse donors or split your donation history.

How the money actually moves: Stripe versus PayPal on Givebutter

When a donor gives through Givebutter, here is the order of events. The donor enters their payment information on the Givebutter page. Givebutter sends that information to whichever processor you have connected — Stripe or PayPal. The processor charges the donor's card or bank account, takes its fee, and sends the remaining money to Givebutter. Givebutter takes its own fee and deposits what is left into your bank account.

The difference between Stripe and PayPal on Givebutter comes down to speed, cost, and which payment methods each one accepts. Stripe is generally faster — most nonprofits see deposits within one to two business days. PayPal can take three to five business days, though it varies. Both charge per-transaction fees, but the rates differ. Stripe's standard rate for nonprofits is usually lower than PayPal's, though both offer reduced rates for registered 501(c)(3) organizations.

One practical difference: Stripe lets donors pay with credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. PayPal lets donors use PayPal accounts, credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. If your donors already have PayPal accounts and prefer using them, PayPal may feel smoother. If they do not, Stripe often feels simpler because it does not require a separate login.

Fees: what Givebutter, Stripe, and PayPal each take

Your total cost per donation is made up of three separate fees: Givebutter's platform fee, the payment processor fee (Stripe or PayPal), and sometimes a payment method fee. Understanding each one helps you know what percentage of a donation actually reaches your organization.

Givebutter charges a platform fee that varies depending on your plan — typically 1.5% to 2% of the donation, plus a fixed amount per transaction (often 30 cents). On top of that, Stripe charges roughly 2.2% plus 30 cents per transaction for nonprofits, while PayPal charges roughly 2.2% plus 30 cents as well, though their exact rates can shift. If a donor uses a bank transfer instead of a card, some processors charge less. If they donate internationally, fees go up.

The math: a $100 donation through Givebutter + Stripe might cost you $4.50 to $5.00 in combined fees, leaving $95 to $95.50 for your organization. The same donation through Givebutter + PayPal might cost slightly more or less depending on the exact rates in effect that month. Givebutter publishes its fee schedule in your account settings, and both Stripe and PayPal publish theirs on their websites — check all three before deciding.

Speed of deposits: when money lands in your bank account

Stripe deposits donations to your connected bank account on a rolling basis, usually within one to two business days of the donation. That means if someone gives on a Monday, you typically see the money by Wednesday. Weekends and holidays can extend this, and your bank may take an additional day to post the deposit.

PayPal holds donations for a longer period before depositing. Most nonprofits see PayPal deposits within three to five business days. PayPal also has reserve policies for newer accounts or accounts with unusual activity — they may hold a percentage of donations for 30 days or longer as a safeguard. This is less common for established nonprofits, but it can happen.

If your organization needs money quickly — for example, to pay an urgent bill or cover a time-sensitive expense — Stripe is the faster choice. If timing is less critical, both work, but Stripe gives you more predictability.

Which payment methods donors see depends on your processor choice

Stripe and PayPal accept overlapping but not identical payment methods. Both accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Both accept bank transfers (ACH in the United States). PayPal also accepts donations from PayPal account holders directly. Stripe accepts some regional payment methods that PayPal does not, depending on your country.

From a donor's perspective, the difference matters most if they have a strong preference. A donor with a PayPal account might find it faster to click "Pay with PayPal" than to enter a card number. A donor without PayPal might prefer Stripe because it does not require a separate account. Most donors will use whichever processor you have set up, but some will abandon a donation if their preferred method is not available.

If you serve a diverse donor base — for example, a mix of local and international supporters — check which processor handles the payment methods your donors actually use. Stripe tends to support more international methods; PayPal is strong in countries where PayPal accounts are common.

Switching between Stripe and PayPal in your Givebutter account

You can change your payment processor in Givebutter's settings at any time. Log into your Givebutter account, go to Settings, find Payment Methods or Integrations, and disconnect one processor and connect the other. The change takes effect immediately for new donations.

However, switching mid-campaign has practical downsides. Donors who bookmarked your campaign page may see a different payment screen if they return. Your donation history in Givebutter will show donations from both processors, which can make reconciliation confusing. If you are running a major fundraiser, switching processors mid-event can create confusion and lost donations if donors encounter errors.

The best time to switch is between campaigns or at the start of a new fiscal year. If you do switch, send a note to your regular donors letting them know the change is intentional and that their donations will still reach you.

Nonprofit discounts and tax considerations

Both Stripe and PayPal offer reduced fees for registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the United States. Stripe's nonprofit rate is typically 1.5% plus 30 cents per transaction — lower than their standard rate. PayPal's nonprofit rate is similar. To may have access to, you must provide your EIN and proof of 501(c)(3) status when you set up your account.

If your organization is not yet a registered 501(c)(3) but is a nonprofit, school, or religious organization, you may still may have access to for reduced rates — both processors have different categories. Ask during setup or contact their support team with your tax ID.

Donations received through Givebutter are treated the same way as donations received any other way: they are income to your organization and must be recorded in your accounting system. Stripe and PayPal both send you monthly statements and year-end tax forms (1099-K if you meet the threshold). Keep these records for your accountant or auditor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both Stripe and PayPal at the same time on Givebutter?

No, Givebutter requires you to choose one primary processor. You can only connect and use one at a time. If you want to switch, you disconnect one and connect the other, but you cannot run both simultaneously on the same Givebutter account.

What happens to donations if my Stripe or PayPal account is closed?

If your processor account is closed, new donations cannot be processed, and Givebutter will show an error. Existing donations already deposited to your bank account are yours to keep. Reconnect a working processor account as soon as possible to resume accepting donations. Contact Givebutter support if you need help recovering donation history.

Do I pay Givebutter fees even if someone donates $0?

No. Givebutter and the payment processors only charge fees on actual donations. If someone views your campaign but does not donate, or if a donation fails, you are not charged. Fees only apply to completed, successful transactions.

Can donors remain anonymous when giving through Givebutter?

Yes. Givebutter allows donors to check a box to hide their name from public donor lists. However, your organization will still see their name and contact information in your Givebutter dashboard for thank-you and record-keeping purposes. The anonymity is public-facing only.

Which processor is better for international donors?

Stripe generally supports more international payment methods and currencies than PayPal does through Givebutter. If you receive donations from outside the United States, Stripe is often the better choice. Check Stripe's and PayPal's current supported countries before deciding, as this changes over time.