Getting Started Guide

What is WordPress?

Before diving into GiveWP, let’s clarify WordPress basics:

• WordPress.com: A managed platform where hosting is provided, but with limited customization and plugin options unless on higher plans.
• WordPress.org: A self-hosted platform offering full control over your website, with unlimited access to themes and plugins like Kadence.

Learn More About WordPress

GiveWP Core (Free) vs. Premium

GiveWP is a powerful WordPress donation plugin that helps you collect donations with ease. With the free version, you can create unlimited donation forms, accept PayPal and offline donations, and track donor contributions. 

Upgrading to a premium plan unlocks advanced features like recurring donations, more payment gateways, fee recovery, peer-to-peer fundraising, and enhanced donor management—giving you more flexibility and tools to grow your fundraising efforts. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, GiveWP has the right solution for your needs! 🚀

GiveWP offers a free version with essential donation tools and premium plans with advanced features to enhance your fundraising.

Feature	Free Version	Premium Plans (Basic, Plus, Pro, Agency)
Unlimited donation forms	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Multiple payment gateways	✅ Stripe, PayPal, & Offline	✅ Stripe, Authorize.net, Square, + more
Donor management & reports	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Recurring donations	❌ No	✅ Yes (Plus & higher)
Fee recovery (let donors cover fees)	❌ No	✅ Yes (Plus & higher)
PDF & Annual Receipts	❌ No	✅ Yes (Basic & higher)
Peer-to-peer fundraising	❌ No	✅ Yes (Pro & higher)
Priority support	❌ No	✅ Yes

For advanced fundraising features like recurring donations, fee recovery, and peer-to-peer fundraising, upgrading to a premium plan is the best choice. 🚀

See GiveWP’s pricing plans.

Installation Guide

Step 1: Installation of GiveWP Core & Add-ons

Installing GiveWP Core

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. In the search bar, type GiveWP.
4. Click Install Now on the GiveWP plugin.
5. Once installed, click Activate.

Installing GIveWP Add-ons

1. Navigate to your GiveWP account to locate your downloads and license key.
2. Download the add-ons you want to use on your website. (Not ALL of the add-ons that come with your plan. Choose only what you need!).
3. Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin > Activate.
4. Enter your license key under GiveWP > Settings > Licenses.

Step 2: Run the GiveWP Setup Wizard

After activation, GiveWP provides a Setup Wizard to guide you through the initial settings.

1. Click Start Setup when prompted.
2. Choose your payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, Offline Donations, etc.).
3. Set your organization details, including name, email, and currency.
4. Customize your donation page style to match your website.
5. Click Finish Setup.

What Add-ons You Need

To best understand exactly which add-ons to install first, follow our Intro to GiveWP Add-ons Guide.

Configure Your Payment Gateway(s)

To collect donations, you need to set up a payment method. 

If you’re using GiveWP on a test site you can connect to your payment gateway via a testing/sandbox account (which each payment gateway handles individually). 

When connecting GiveWP to your payment gateway on a live domain, you will need to re-establish the connection using your live payment gateway credentials. 

The test/sandbox account used on the test site will not carry over, as live transactions require proper authentication with the gateway’s live environment. Be sure to follow your payment gateway’s specific process for switching from test mode to live mode to ensure seamless donation processing.

1. Enable Payment Methods

• Go to GiveWP > Settings > Payment Gateways.
• Choose a gateway (PayPal, Stripe, etc.) and click Enable.

2. Connect Your Account

• For PayPal: Click Connect with PayPal and follow the prompts.
• For Stripe: Click Connect with Stripe and sign in to your Stripe account.
• For Offline Donations: Enable the option and provide instructions for donors.

Create Your First Campaign!

1. Go to GiveWP > Campaigns > Create Campaign.
2. Add a title, brief description, and optionally a cover image for your campaign (recommended size: 1600 x 900px ). Then click “Continue”
   
   Choosing the right goal depends on the intent of your Campaign:

• Amount Raised – Your goal progress is measured by how much is raised. This could look like the cost of a project, a target budget, etc.
• Number of Donations – This can be a helpful goal as everyone works towards the target number.
• Number of Donors – This can be helpful if you would like to highlight how many supporters have contributed to your campaign.
• If you have the Recurring Donations Add-on, you can also set goals based on Recurring Amount Raised, Number of Recurring Donations, Number of Recurring Donors
  

3. Once you choose your Goal, next you’ll see the Campaigns Overview. This will be your “hub” to keep track of your Campaign progress.
   
4. Settings – Here you can enable or disable the Campaign Landing Page. You can also change your previous selections, and set your Campaign colors.
   
5. Edit Campaign – If you want a public-facing landing page on your site, you can design how the page displays on your site.
6. When you’re ready, hit Publish Campaign.

Campaigns ‹ givecampaigns — WordPress – 20 March 2025 – Watch Video

Customize Your Form

1. Forms – A form is automatically created when you create a Campaign. You can fully customize your donation form by opening the form to use the Form Builder. In Design Mode your default form will use the Classic layout, though you can try out the other layouts by selecting from the form layout options.

2. Form Layout drop down to select Classic, Multi-Step, or Two Panel. Choosing the right form layout depends on your specific goals for your form:

• Classic Layout – Best for simple, standalone donation pages where the form takes center stage.
• Multi-Step Layout – Ideal for longer forms, breaking them into easy-to-follow steps for a smoother donor experience.
• Two-Panel Layout – Great for storytelling, with an image and campaign details on the left and the donation form on the right for a visually engaging experience.

3. Use the Design tab to edit your Header, Buttons, and Donation Goal.

4. Use the Build tab to edit donation amounts, add/remove fields, add new form sections, and incorporate your GiveWP add-ons and tools like Tributes, Fee Recovery, Terms and Conditions, and more.

5. Use the Settings tab to edit your Donation Confirmation messaging and Email settings, and any per-form settings (vs global settings) that are available from the add-ons you have installed.

6. Then, hit Publish!

See more on using the Visual Form Builder.