Venmo Implementation Guide: Admin Setup & Donor Experience
Overview
We’re excited to introduce Venmo as a donation and payment option on all Giving and Payment forms. This feature offers convenience for donors by allowing seamless payments via their Venmo account.
Manager Enablement
- Venmo has been enabled by default on your account and added to all existing Giving and Payment forms.
- To disable Venmo for specific forms, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the form’s Properties.
- Go to the Payment Tab.
- Under Accepted Payment Types, uncheck the box for Venmo.
Donor Experience
Donors can give using Venmo from a desktop computer or mobile device. Since Venmo is a mobile app, the giving experience will vary slightly depending on the device and browser.
Donating with Venmo from an iOS Apple Device
Note: Venmo donations on iOS devices must be completed using the Safari browser. Donors using Chrome or other browsers will not see Venmo as a payment option.
- Open the Giving Form in Safari and complete the fields as usual.
- Select the Venmo payment method and enter your Name and Email Address.
- Tap the Venmo button to proceed.
- The donor will be redirected to the Venmo app to complete the transaction.
- Once the donor clicks Agree & Pay, they will be redirected back to the browser with a Thank You message displayed.
Donating with Venmo from an Android Device
Note: Venmo donations on Android devices must be completed using the Chrome browser. Other browsers will not display Venmo as a payment option.
- Open the Giving Form in Chrome and complete the fields as usual.
- Select the Venmo payment method and enter your Name and Email Address.
- Tap the Venmo button to proceed.
- The donor will be redirected to the Venmo app to complete the transaction.
- Once the donor clicks Agree & Pay, they will be redirected back to the browser with a Thank You message displayed.
Donating with Venmo from a Computer
- Open the Giving Form and complete the fields as usual.
- Select the Venmo payment method and enter your Full Name, Email Address, and optional phone number.
- Tap the Venmo button to proceed.
- A QR Code will appear on the screen.
- The donor must scan the QR Code with their mobile device to complete the transaction in the Venmo app.
- Once the donor clicks Agree & Pay, they will return to the browser with a Thank You message displayed.
Device Compatibility
Device | Chrome Browser | Safari Browser | All Other Browsers |
iPhone/iOS Mobile | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Android Mobile | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Computer | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Reporting
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Transactions/Gifts Report: Venmo donations appear in the Source column with a Venmo icon.
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Deposit Report: Venmo transactions are processed through the PayPal processor. To find Venmo deposits, select your PayPal depository bank account from the dropdown menu.
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Billing Report: Venmo transactions are listed as Ewallet-PayPal in the Transaction Type column.
How to Tell Donors
Let your congregation know about this new payment option! Use the sample bulletin or email template to communicate this update effectively. Mentioning this in service announcements can also encourage participation.
FAQ
Q: Venmo is turned on, but I don’t see it on my form.
A: Ensure that:
- Venmo is enabled for the specific form.
- The donor’s device and browser are compliant with the compatibility chart:
Device Chrome Browser Safari Browser All Other Browsers iPhone/iOS Mobile ❌ ✔️ ❌ Android Mobile ✔️ ❌ ❌ Computer ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Q: Can I use Venmo for recurring gifts?
A: No, Venmo cannot be used for recurring gifts at this time. However, this feature is under development.
Q: Why should I use Venmo on our Giving Form instead of a personal Venmo account?
A:
- Convenience: Donors can quickly complete their gift using saved payment details, reducing typing errors and increasing ease of use.
- Security: Venmo provides secure transactions, and its brand recognition builds donor confidence.
- IRS Compliance: Using a personal Venmo account for donations can create financial and legal risks. Enabling Venmo on your Giving
Have Questions or Need Help?
If the product isn’t working as expected, our Support Team is here to assist you. For tutorials or additional resources, check out the Help Center by clicking the question mark icon in the product. This will take you directly to the related help article. For personalized walkthroughs, consider our paid services for one-on-one assistance.
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