When building donation pages with Engaging Networks, choosing the right payment gateway is a critical decision that affects both donor experience and internal operations.

A payment gateway securely processes donations, supports various payment types, and enables recurring giving. This post breaks down the features of top gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Blackbaud Merchant Services, comparing their support for recurring payments, card types, currencies, and refund capabilities.

We’ll also highlight which gateways offer full integration for supporter management within Engaging Networks. Whether you’re focused on credit cards, ACH, SEPA, or Apple Pay, this guide will help you align your tech stack with your fundraising goals.

According to M+R Benchmarks 2024, recurring donors contributed 30% more than one-time givers—a reminder that the right gateway can directly impact fundraising success.

A payment gateway authorizes and processes donations submitted through your fundraising pages. In Engaging Networks, donor card data is securely tokenized using VGS, then passed to the gateway. Engaging Networks never stores credit card details.

Recurring Donation Options

Card Types Accepted

Supporter Management in Engaging Networks

When selecting a payment gateway, choose one that supports the currencies and payment types your donors use most. Prioritize options that enable standard recurring payments within Engaging Networks for better control and flexibility. Ensure the gateway offers key features like refunds and the ability to update donor information.

Since setup and testing can take longer than expected, build in extra time to avoid delays. For more information on each payment gateway option, refer to the Engaging Networks Gateway Setup Docs. 

Choosing the right payment gateway is more than a technical step—it’s a strategic move for your fundraising success.

To help make the choice on payment gateways and to assist in your Engaging Networks implementation, reach out to Doing Good Digital.