Quick Start: Run a Donation Page

This guide walks you through creating a live donation page from scratch. You will create a form, add a giving item, connect a payment method, and publish the page — all in about ten minutes.

Prerequisites

  • A DonorPoint account with a configured payment method (credit card or ACH)
  • At least one Fund created (see Funds and Designations)

Step 1: Create a Campaign

Campaigns are the container for everything public-facing in DonorPoint. A donation page is a Campaign with one or more giving items.

  1. Navigate to Campaigns & Forms in the sidebar
  2. Click Create
  3. Enter a Name — this is the internal name for staff (e.g., “2026 Annual Fund”)
  4. Set the Campaign Type to Giving
  5. Save

Step 2: Add a Giving Item

Items are the giving options donors see on the form. Each item has a name, price (or suggested amount), and fund designation.

  1. On the Campaign edit page, go to the Items tab
  2. Click Create and select Donation Item
  3. Enter a Name (e.g., “General Donation”)
  4. Set the Fund — this is where the money is designated
  5. Choose a Pricing Model:
    • Variable — donor enters any amount
    • Fixed — preset amount (e.g., $25)
    • Suggested — preset amounts with an “other” option
  6. Save

Repeat to add additional giving levels or designated fund options.

Step 3: Configure the Form

  1. Return to the Campaign edit page and go to the Form tab
  2. Review the Contact Fields — by default, name and email are required
  3. Under Payment Methods, ensure your credit card or ACH method is checked
  4. Under Confirmation, set the confirmation page message and receipt email

Step 4: Preview and Test

  1. Click Preview in the Campaign sidebar to see the form as donors will see it
  2. Submit a test transaction using a test credit card number (if your payment processor supports test mode)
  3. Verify the confirmation page and receipt email appear correctly

Step 5: Publish

  1. Set the Campaign Status to Published
  2. Copy the Form URL from the Sharing tab
  3. Share the URL on your website, email, or social media

What Happens Next

When a donor completes the form:

  1. A Contact record is created (or matched to an existing contact)
  2. A Transaction is created with status Received (for immediate payments) or Pledge (for bill-me)
  3. The donation is designated to the Fund you configured on the item
  4. A Receipt Email is sent automatically
  5. The transaction appears in Transactions list and on the Contact’s Giving History tab

Next Steps