Many people would support your cause today if it took less than a minute. Online donations make that possible, but they also need to be safe, transparent and allowed by the rules in your country. Here are the options, from the simplest to the most complete.
First: check the rules
In many GCC countries, including Oman, collecting donations from the public needs approval from the authority that oversees charities and associations. Ask yours what is allowed, for example a permanent donation account or only specific campaigns, before you publish a donation page.
Option 1: bank transfer details
The simplest start: a Donate page with your official account name, bank, account number and IBAN, and a short note on how donations are used. Ask donors to send a WhatsApp message with the transfer receipt so you can thank them.
- Cost: no fees on the website side.
- Good for: local donors and larger gifts.
- Downside: donors have to open their banking app and type the details.
Option 2: a payment link
Many banks and payment providers can create a payment link or a QR code. Put it on your website and in your WhatsApp messages, and donors pay by card in a few taps.
- Cost: the provider’s fee for each payment.
- Good for: campaigns and events.
- Downside: fixed amounts, or a separate link for each campaign.
Option 3: a donation form with a payment gateway
The most complete option: donors choose an amount or type their own, pay by card on your website and get a thank-you email. A local gateway such as Thawani in Oman, or PayPal for donors abroad, is connected to your organization’s account.
- Cost: the setup, plus the gateway’s fee for each payment.
- Good for: regular giving and online campaigns.
- Needs: a merchant account in the organization’s name, approved by the gateway.
Build donor trust
- Show your registration and the account name clearly, so donors know it is really you.
- Explain what an amount does, for example what OMR 10 pays for in your program.
- Show the progress of a campaign: how much is raised and the goal.
- Send a thank-you message and, if you can, a receipt.
- Publish a short yearly report of income and spending.
Keep donor data safe
Collect only what you need: a name, a phone number or email, and the amount. Card details must never be stored on your website; the payment gateway handles them. Keep donor lists private and give access only to the people who need it.
What it costs to set up
With arafatbin.com a non-profit website with a Donate page (bank or payment link details) starts from OMR 20, and a website with online donations through a payment gateway and volunteer sign-up from OMR 35. If you already have a website and only need a gateway, see our payment gateway integration.
Need help choosing?
Tell us about your organization and how you collect donations today. We will suggest the simplest safe option and give you a clear price.