How to Set Up Automatic Email Receipts for Online Donations

Updated 2026-07-09 · Hosting Reviews

Choose the Right Hosting for Your Nonprofit Website

When you’re building a nonprofit or charity site, the first decision is the hosting platform. You need reliable uptime, fast page loads, and easy scalability as your donation volume grows. For most small to medium groups, shared hosting is more than enough. It costs between $3 and $15 a month, and the majority of providers offer free SSL certificates and one‑click WordPress installs – a big plus if you’re not a developer.

Cloud and VPS plans start around $10/month and give you more control and resources, but they also require a bit more technical knowledge. If you plan to run a large campaign or expect high traffic, consider a cloud plan. For clubs, community groups, and most charities, a shared plan from a provider like Hostinger gives you the speed, security, and budget you need.

Pick the Platform That Fits Your Skill Level

There are two main ways to build your site: a website builder or a content management system (CMS) like WordPress. Builders (Wix, Weebly, Squarespace) are very beginner‑friendly and let you drag‑and‑drop pages. However, they often charge extra for donation widgets and lack the flexibility of plugins.

WordPress is the industry standard for nonprofits. With thousands of free donation plugins (GiveWP, Charitable, Donorbox), you can add automatic email receipts with minimal setup. WordPress also integrates easily with email marketing tools and analytics. If you’re comfortable with a few clicks in the admin area, WordPress is the best long‑term investment.

Set Up Automatic Email Receipts for Online Donations

Automatic email receipts are not just polite; they’re a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. Here’s a practical, step‑by‑step workflow you can follow on WordPress:

1. Install a Donation Plugin. Go to Plugins > Add New and search for "GiveWP" (or your preferred plugin). Click Install and Activate.
2. Create a Donation Form. Navigate to GiveWP > Add New Form. Add the amounts you want to offer and enable the Donation Receipt option under Form Settings.
3. Configure Email Templates. In the plugin’s settings, edit the Thank You Email template. Include placeholders for donor name, amount, and date. Add a subject line like "Thank You for Your Donation – Receipt Inside."
4. Enable PDF Attachments. Many plugins allow you to attach a PDF receipt. Turn this on to give donors a printable copy.
5. Test the Flow. Do a test donation using a sandbox payment gateway (e.g., PayPal sandbox). Verify that the email arrives, the receipt is correct, and the PDF is attached.
6. Automate with Zapier (Optional). If your plugin doesn’t support PDFs, use Zapier to trigger an email through Gmail or Mailchimp whenever a new donation is recorded.

Once the process is tested, publish the form on a dedicated Donate page and add a call‑to‑action button. Donors should see a clear path from donation to receipt.

Secure Your Donation Page

Security is non‑negotiable when handling payments. With Hostinger, you get a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate automatically applied to every domain. Ensure https:// appears in the address bar. Additionally:

• Use a strong, unique password for your WordPress admin.
• Install a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri.
• Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated.
• Limit login attempts to prevent brute‑force attacks.

These steps protect donor data and boost trust.

Keep Costs Low While Scaling

Most small nonprofits stay under $20/month for hosting, domain, and a donation plugin license. Hostinger’s shared plans start at roughly $3/month for the first billing cycle, and renewal rates are typically 25‑30% higher. Domain registration is about $10–$15 annually. Donation plugins often have free tiers; premium add‑ons (e.g., recurring donations) cost around $50–$100 per year.

When your donation volume rises, you can upgrade to a cloud plan. Hostinger’s cloud hosting begins at about $15/month, giving you more bandwidth and a dedicated server. Because the platform is beginner‑friendly, you’ll still be able to manage everything through the WordPress dashboard.

Launch Your Site in Minutes

With Hostinger, the setup is straightforward:

1. Sign up and choose a shared plan.
2. Register a domain or transfer an existing one.
3. Use the one‑click WordPress installer.
4. Activate the donation plugin and configure automatic receipts.
5. Publish your pages and test the donation flow.
6. Invite volunteers, post events, and tell your story.

Within an hour, you can have a fully functional, secure nonprofit website that accepts donations and sends automatic receipts.

FAQ

Do I need a separate email service for receipts?

No. Most donation plugins send receipts directly from your WordPress site using the built‑in email system. For higher volumes, you can integrate with an email marketing platform, but it’s optional.

Can I offer recurring donations with automatic receipts?

Yes. Many plugins support monthly or yearly recurring contributions and will automatically email receipts each cycle. Just enable the recurring option in the form settings.

What happens if my site goes down during a donation?

Choose a provider with a 99.9% uptime guarantee and automatic backups. Hostinger offers daily backups and instant restoration. If a donor’s payment fails, the plugin will notify them and you can resend the receipt once the issue is resolved.