Available in around 80 markets globally and at 85% of US retailers, Apple Pay has become nearly ubiquitous. Nonprofits can make the most of Apple Pay by using it to make donating fast and easy. By allowing supporters to give using payment details already saved on their Apple devices, Apple Pay improves mobile donation experiences and increases completed gifts.

Below, we explain how Apple Pay for nonprofits works, who’s eligible, and how to get started.

What’s in this article?

• What is Apple Pay for nonprofits?
  
• How does Apple Pay work for nonprofit donations?
  
• Who’s eligible to accept donations with Apple Pay?
  
• Why is Apple Pay appealing for charitable donations?
  
• How can US-based nonprofits start accepting Apple Pay donations?
  
• How can nonprofits outside of the US accept donations with Apple Pay?
  
• What should nonprofits consider before adding Apple Pay to their donation pages?
  
• How Stripe Payments can help
  

What is Apple Pay for nonprofits?

Apple Pay is a mobile payment system for those who use iPhones and other Apple devices. Nonprofits can use it to let supporters donate using the payment details already saved on their Apple devices. Instead of typing in a card number, billing address, and contact information, donors authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode and complete their gift in seconds.

How does Apple Pay work for nonprofit donations?

Behind the scenes, Apple Pay connects Apple’s digital wallet, the card networks, and your payment processor into a flow that feels simple to donors.

Here’s what happens when someone donates:

The donor selects Apple Pay at checkout: On a compatible Apple device or browser, the donor sees a button to “Donate with Apple Pay” alongside other payment options.

Apple Pay opens a secure payment sheet: Tapping the button launches Apple’s native interface, which displays the donation amount and the donor’s default card. There’s no manual data entry required.

The donor authenticates the donation: Using Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode confirms intent and authorizes the payment.

Payment data is tokenized: Apple Pay generates a one-time token that represents the transaction. The donor’s real card number is never shared.

The payment is processed normally: That token is sent to the nonprofit’s payment processor, which routes it through the card networks as it would for any other online donation.

Funds are deposited as usual: After authorization and capture, the donation settles into the nonprofit’s account on the processor’s normal payout schedule, minus standard card fees.

Apple charges no additional fees: Apple Pay doesn’t add a fee or commission for donations.

Apple Pay can simplify Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance for nonprofits. Support for recurring donations depends on whether your payment processor allows Apple Pay merchant tokens to be stored for future charges.

Who’s eligible to accept donations with Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is available to a wide range of nonprofits. Apple requires organizations to meet specific eligibility and verification standards.

• In the US, an organization must be a formally registered 501(c)(3). Apple uses Candid to verify US nonprofits, and an active Seal of Transparency is required.

• Non-US organizations apply through Apple’s nonprofit verification partner, Benevity, which supports many countries.

• Nonprofits must enroll in the Apple Developer Program and must use a compatible payment provider. Apple works with ecommerce platforms and payments providers, such as Stripe.

• Both the nonprofit and the donor must be in regions where Apple Pay is supported.

Many nonprofits are approved indirectly through platforms. If a nonprofit uses a donation platform or payment service that has already completed Apple’s approval process, the nonprofit might not need to apply separately and can enable Apple Pay with minimal additional setup.

Why is Apple Pay appealing for charitable donations?

Apple Pay can make giving feel effortless and familiar. Here are some of the benefits of Apple Pay:

• It’s fast: Apple Pay eliminates form-filling by using payment and contact details already stored on the device. What might take minutes with a traditional checkout can happen in seconds.

• It reduces mobile frustration: Typing card numbers, addresses, and emails on a phone can be tedious. Apple Pay simplifies that process with a single tap and authentication.

• It feels familiar: Hundreds of millions of people use Apple Pay for online shopping, food delivery, and subscriptions. Seeing it on a donation page signals legitimacy and can reduce hesitation.

• It’s built around strong security: When a donor adds a card to Apple Pay, their information is encrypted and sent to Apple servers. Real card numbers are never shared or stored by the nonprofit.

• It supports impulse generosity: When giving is fast and effortless, donors might be more likely to complete a donation immediately rather than postpone or forget altogether.

• It resonates with younger, mobile-first donors: Gen Z is the first mobile-payments-native generation. You can meet younger supporters where they are with popular digital wallets such as Apple Pay.

• It reduces errors and failed payments: Because Apple Pay pulls verified information directly from the device, there’s less risk of mistyped card details or incomplete forms that disrupt the donation flow.

• It matches modern checkout expectations: As digital wallets become standard across ecommerce, donors will likely expect nonprofits to offer the same convenience they experience elsewhere online.

How can US-based nonprofits start accepting Apple Pay donations?

The process for US-based nonprofits to get started with Apple Pay is mostly about securing the right approvals and ensuring their payment setup supports it.

Here’s how to do it:

Confirm nonprofit verification through Candid: Make sure your organization has an active Candid Seal of Transparency, which Apple uses to approve your organization.

Enroll in the Apple Developer Program: Create an Apple Developer Program account and set up your membership.

Confirm that your payments provider supports Apple Pay: Many modern payments providers, such as Stripe, do support Apple Pay.

Implement Apple Pay in your payment setup: This might involve toggling Apple Pay on in your payment dashboard or donation platform configuration.

Add the Apple Pay button to donation pages: Apple has technical requirements surrounding the use of its Apple Pay button and interface, which many donation platforms or processors can handle for you.

Test on real devices: Complete test donations on iPhones, iPads, and different browsers to make sure everything works as well as other payment methods.

How can nonprofits outside of the US accept donations with Apple Pay?

The process for nonprofits outside the US is similar, though it follows a different verification path.

Here’s how nonprofits outside the US accept donations:

Confirm Apple Pay is supported in your country: Apple Pay must be available both where your nonprofit operates and where donors are located.

Use a processor that supports Apple Pay internationally: Your payments provider must support Apple Pay in your market; Stripe, for example, allows Apple Pay in all countries where the latter is accepted.

Apply for nonprofit approval through Benevity: Submit organizational details and documentation through Benevity’s Apple Pay application process.

Maintain an Apple Developer account: Enroll in the Apple Developer Program.

Wait for Apple approval: After Benevity completes a successful review, approval is granted.

Allow Apple Pay in your donation flow: Once approved, Apple Pay can be activated in your payment setup or donation platform.

Test across devices and regions: Test Apple Pay donations from supported countries and devices to guarantee a consistent experience for global donors.

What should nonprofits consider before adding Apple Pay to their donation pages?

Apple Pay works well when it’s part of a broader, intentional payment strategy. Before turning it on, nonprofits should think through how it fits their audience, infrastructure, and fundraising goals.

Consider:

• Donor device usage: Apple Pay only works for donors using Apple devices, so its impact depends on your audience’s device mix.

• Mobile performance: Apple Pay shines on fast, mobile-optimized donation pages that load quickly and render well on small screens.

• Payment option diversity: Apple Pay should complement, not replace, other methods such as cards, bank transfers, and additional digital wallets.

• Recurring giving needs: If monthly donations are important, confirm that your processor supports recurring charges with Apple Pay.

• Fraud and data handling: Apple Pay protects donors’ personal information, transaction data, and payment information, but nonprofits still need strong internal controls and a compliant payment infrastructure.

• Implementation effort: Depending on your setup, enabling Apple Pay could be a quick configuration change. Other organizations might need developer support and testing.

• Geographic coverage: Global nonprofits should understand where Apple Pay will and won’t be available to donors.

• Measurement and optimization: Once Apple Pay is live, track adoption and completion rates to refine placement, messaging, and overall donation flow.

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