Most large charities take credit cards and PayPal online, but fewer offer a direct eCheck – an ACH donation from your checking account. Among big names, St. Jude accepts a bank transfer on its donation form, and UNICEF USA and Doctors Without Borders take a bank account for monthly gifts. To give by eCheck to a smaller nonprofit, use a donation platform like Donorbox or Qgiv, which support bank/eCheck payments, or mail a check.
Which major charities take eCheck?
We checked the big national charities’ own donation pages. The ones that accept a bank/eCheck gift online:
- St. Jude – the donation form accepts a bank transfer (ACH) as well as a card, for one-time or monthly gifts.
- UNICEF USA – takes a bank account for monthly (recurring) giving.
- Doctors Without Borders (US) – accepts a bank account for recurring monthly donations.
Many others are card or PayPal only online. Save the Children, The Nature Conservancy, and Charity: Water take bank gifts only by mailed form or wire, not through the standard online form.
How to donate by eCheck through a platform
Thousands of nonprofits run their donation forms on platforms that support bank payments. If your charity uses Donorbox, Qgiv, Network for Good, Bloomerang, or GiveGab, choose the bank account / eCheck option on the form. This is often the easiest way to give by eCheck to a smaller organization.
Mailing a check or paying by ACH on request
If a charity’s form is card-only, you still have two bank options: mail a paper check, or email the organization for its ACH/wire details. Large charities like WWF and Feeding America publish a mailing address and provide bank-transfer information on request.
Why don’t more charities take eCheck online?
Card processing is the default on most donation forms, and adding ACH takes extra setup. Charities that skip it usually do so to keep the online form simple – not because they won’t accept a bank gift. eCheck actually costs the charity less in fees, so more of your donation reaches the cause. See eCheck vs ACH for how the payment works.
Common problems
- Form is card or PayPal only. Use a platform that supports eCheck, or mail a check.
- Bank option is recurring only. Some charities (UNICEF USA, Doctors Without Borders) offer a bank account for monthly gifts but not one-time ones.
- Wrong entity. Confirm you’re on the U.S. charity’s site before entering bank details.
Paying other bills from your bank too? See how banks handle eChecks and how to pay the government by eCheck.
Frequently asked questions
Can I donate to a nonprofit by eCheck?
Sometimes directly, often through a platform. Some charities (like St. Jude) take a bank transfer on their donation form, and donation platforms like Donorbox and Qgiv let thousands of nonprofits accept eCheck. Otherwise you can mail a check.
Does St. Jude accept eCheck?
Yes. St. Jude's online donation form lets you pay with a bank account (ACH) as well as a card, for one-time or monthly gifts.
How do I donate from my bank account instead of a card?
On the charity's donation form, choose bank account or e-check if offered. If it is card or PayPal only, give through a platform like Donorbox that supports eCheck, or mail a check.
Do charities prefer eCheck or card donations?
Charities often prefer eCheck because ACH fees are lower than card fees, so more of your gift reaches the cause. But many donation forms still default to cards, so look for the bank option.
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