The best free donation form template for nonprofits

Making it easy for donors to give is the bread and butter of nonprofit fundraising. But asking for contributions in a way that’s clean, simple, and engaging takes thought and effort. That’s where a donation form template comes in.

We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating the best donation template for your nonprofit. Plus, we’ll share some amazing donation form templates from real nonprofits to give you a little inspiration. ✨

What makes a great donation form template?

Your donation form can make or break a donor’s experience with your charitable organization. Over half of donors prefer to give online, so it’s essential that your donation forms are in tip-top shape.

Great donation forms are all about simplicity—they’re sleek, straightforward, and user-friendly. Forms that ask too many questions or request excessive information only serve to discourage potential donors from completing their contribution.

Fundraising pro, Lynne Wester, said it best during our webinar on nonprofit trends:

What questions should you ask when someone is making a donation? Less is more. You need my name, but you probably don’t need to know my marital status. Every extra click increases the chance a donor will abandon the form—by up to 20%. I can buy a goat on Amazon in one click, but when I try to donate $500, I’m asked for my full street address? Don’t make it hard for me to give you money.

Test yourself!

Quiz: How pro is your donation experience?

Though each nonprofit is different, there are a few common elements that are crucial to consider when reviewing a donation form template. 

We recommend sticking to the basics:

✅ First and last name
✅ Email address
✅ Payment information
✅ Postal code

Not too big of a list, right?

Of course, it's about more than just asking for the right information. The best donation forms include sweet extras (like mobile responsiveness, custom branding, and more) that make all the difference in reaching your fundraising goals.

What to include in a donation template that actually converts

As we’ve already discussed, opting for a sleek and simple approach is key. But crafting a truly seamless donation process requires a few additional considerations. Follow these seven tips to make your donation form even better:

1. Accept every kind of payment method 🤑

Offering flexible payment options lets you meet donors where they're at. A donation form that makes it convenient to give through various payment methods—like PayPal, Venmo, digital wallets, and of course cash, card, or check—will impress your donors and may even bring in some new ones.

2. Emphasize major giving 💵

Recurring gifts and company matching via Double the Donation can create a significant revenue stream for your nonprofit. Be sure your donation form highlights these opportunities to encourage larger contributions.

3. Offer custom donations and dedications ✏️

Successful giving forms provide suggested donation amounts while also allowing donors to give as much or as little as they’d like. Plus, it creates a personal connection when they can give in honor of someone.

4. Include additional custom fields 🧐

Have an additional question you really need to ask donors? Add custom fields to get all the answers you need to succeed. Just remember to go easy on these!

5. Make it mobile 🗣️

Research shows that 17% of online donation form views come from mobile devices. When creating your nonprofit donation form template, be sure it’s mobile-optimized and easy for supporters to share your campaign link on social media once they’ve contributed (hello, peer-to-peer fundraising!).

6. Add recurring donation options 🔁

Make giving a habit! Add recurring donation options so supporters can give weekly, monthly, or annually—whatever works best for them. It’s one of the easiest ways to build long-term fundraising momentum.

7. Leave a lasting impression 💛

Branded donation forms customized for your nonprofit help reinforce your mission and remind your donor base why their contributions are important. A familiar look and feel will give them greater peace of mind when entering their payment information.

More to explore

12 best donation form examples to inspire your nonprofit →

How to make your donation form stand out from the crowd

For a donation form to be truly effective, it needs to reflect your nonprofit’s unique mission and values. 

Here’s how to do it:

• Use mission-driven language ✍️ Instead of generic donation requests, customize your form with impact-driven language that highlights how each gift makes a difference.
• Showcase your impact 🌍 Incorporate real stories, images, or short testimonials from those you’ve helped. This personal touch reassures donors of their impact.
• Align with your campaign goals 🎯 If you’re running a specific fundraising initiative—like disaster relief or scholarships—customize your donation form to reflect that cause. Use campaign-specific messaging and visuals to create a stronger emotional connection.
• Personalize giving levels 📊  Instead of generic donation amounts, connect them to tangible outcomes. For example:
  • $25 provides a week of meals for a family
  • $50 covers school supplies for a child
  • $100 funds a medical check-up for a patient‍
• Add community-specific customizations 🏡 If your nonprofit serves a specific region or community, personalize your form with local references, language, or culturally relevant elements to build stronger donor connections.‍
• Use custom form fields to gather meaningful data 📝 If your nonprofit benefits from additional donor insights (e.g., volunteer interests, employer information for matching gifts, or preferred communication methods), add strategic custom fields—but keep it concise and relevant!

Get access to a free sample donation form template 

We turned to Givebutter to give our organization a much-needed digital facelift. Our donation page was actively scaring away prospective donors, and even our board members commented on it. The customizable widgets and the option of embedding a form directly into our existing website were a real draw. It makes the donor experience so smooth and makes it truly easy to be philanthropic! — Givebutter review, Liz M.

No need to create a donation application form template from scratch when you can leverage Givebutter. Givebutter’s donation forms are completely free for nonprofit organizations and come with all the world-class features you need.

With Givebutter's intuitive donation form builder, you can effortlessly create, customize, and share unlimited donation forms that will propel your fundraising efforts to new heights. 

Sign up for a free Givebutter account, and you'll be ready to create your first donation form in minutes.

Donation form template for nonprofits FAQs

How do I create a donation form? 

Creating a donation form is a breeze with Givebutter! The platform allows you to set up a customizable, mobile-friendly donation form in minutes. 

You can add recurring giving options, payment integrations (Venmo, PayPal, credit card), and donor engagement tools to turn one-time givers into lifelong supporters.

How do I write a donation request form? 

A strong donation request form clearly explains your cause, suggests giving levels, and makes it easy for supporters to donate online—whether they’re major donors or first-time givers.

With Givebutter, you can create a compelling donation request form that integrates directly with your fundraising campaign and start raising money instantly. 

What form do you need for donations?

For monetary donations, nonprofits typically need a donation sheet template and a donation receipt for tax purposes. If you’re receiving in-kind donations, a separate acknowledgment letter may be required. 

Givebutter simplifies the process by automatically generating donation receipts and providing easy-to-use fundraising forms!