Electronic funds transfer (EFT) lets nonprofits receive funds directly into their bank account, without check-processing delays or postage costs. Nonprofits outside North America receive donations by EFT by default. Some nonprofits in the United States and Canada still use paper checks until they complete EFT enrollment.
Permissions
Anyone with the Reports Manager user role can use Payment Status on the Cause Report to check a nonprofit's EFT setup.
Explaining why EFT matters for nonprofits
When you encourage partners to set up EFT, highlight outcomes that matter to them:
- Faster payments: Funds go directly into their account, without mail or check-processing delays
- Lower costs: No check-processing fees or postage
- Stronger security: No risk of a lost, stolen, or misplaced check
- Clearer tracking: Each payment includes a Disbursement ID, which makes reconciliation easier
After registration and validation, partners still need to set up how they receive funds. Nonprofits often think they are done once validation is complete. Remind them that EFT is a separate, required step to receive donations.
To check payment setup in Benevity Reporting, use Payment Status on the Cause Report.
For how Benevity verifies banking details (including automated US checks), read Understanding nonprofit EFT verification and fraud protection.
Helping nonprofits complete EFT setup
Use these actions when a partner needs to finish payment setup:
- Confirm payment setup is still incomplete (for example, Payment Status on the Cause Report shows check rather than EFT, or the partner has no approved EFT method in the Causes Portal).
- Send a direct message from your company. Nonprofits are more likely to prioritize a request from a company they already work with. Use the email template below as a starting point.
- Share the right resources. Point them to How do I sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)? in the Nonprofit Help Center.
In the Benevity Causes Portal, partners open Donation Method, then select Update Donation Payment Method to start or change EFT. In the United States, they use Connect Bank Account and Connect Account for real-time verification. In Canada and other countries they upload supporting documents for manual review.
Remind partners to use a bank account in their organization's registered country and that country's local currency. Platform validation can reject accounts that do not match the nonprofit's country.
Understanding common EFT decline reasons
If a nonprofit's application is declined, they can correct the issue and resubmit. The most common published decline reasons are:
- Information mismatch: Details on the application do not match the nonprofit profile or the banking document
- Wrong currency: The account currency does not match the country's local currency
Share Why was my Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) application declined? with partners who want to investigate further.
Using an email template for EFT outreach
Use the template below as a starting point when reaching out to nonprofit partners who have not yet completed EFT setup. Customize the bracketed fields before sending.
Subject: Complete your information to receive [Your Company Name]'s funds
Dear [NPO Contact Name],
I am writing on behalf of [Your Company Name]. Your registration on the Benevity Causes Portal is complete. Thank you for getting this far.
There's one more step before [Organization Name] can start receiving donations: setting up Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Currently your account is not showing an active EFT method and we would like to help you get everything in place so your funding can be sent without delay.
A few things to keep in mind as you apply:
- Your bank account needs to be located in your organization's registered country, in that country's local currency.
- The details you submit need to match both your Causes Portal profile and your banking documents exactly. Small mismatches are the most common reason applications get held up.
Here is all you need to do:
- Log in to your Benevity Causes Portal account.
- Select Donation Method in the left navigation, then select Update Donation Payment Method.
- Follow the steps for your country:
- United States: Enter your bank details (routing number, account number, account type, and legal name) and select Connect Account. If automatic verification can't confirm your account, upload a voided check or bank letter when prompted.
- Canada and other countries: Complete the required fields and upload your banking document for your country. Make sure the details on the form match your document exactly, then select Submit.
- You'll receive a confirmation by email once your application has been processed.
If your application is declined, Why was my Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) application declined? walks through the most common reasons and how to resubmit.
If you experience any difficulty through the process, please contact Benevity Nonprofit Support directly through the Nonprofit Help Center.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Title] | [Your Company Name]
[Your contact information]
Troubleshooting EFT delays and ownership
Partners often ask about review timing or how to take over a Causes Portal profile after they start EFT enrollment. Use the scenarios below when those questions come up.
When EFT review takes longer than expected
In the United States, many applications are verified automatically when the nonprofit selects Connect Account. For document upload and manual review, processing times vary based on submission volume. If the nonprofit has waited longer than expected, they should contact Benevity Nonprofit Support.
When someone else registered the nonprofit's profile
Follow the full process for accessing a registered account. When registration or payment blockers come up before EFT, start with how to help partners register on the Causes Portal.