How to receive donations on Twitch: A simple guide

And if you're a nonprofit, creator, or someone who simply wants to raise money for a cause, Twitch can help you reach people in a way that feels natural and authentic. But if you’re wondering how to actually collect donations on Twitch without making it awkward or complicated, you’re not alone.

We’ve worked with hundreds of organizations and creators who needed a simple, reliable way to start accepting donations on Twitch. And the good news? It’s easier than you think. With the right setup and a few smart tools, you can start raising money during your streams, whether you’re just getting started or have an audience already showing up.

At Harness, we make it easier to turn your supporters into donors by giving you the tools and guidance to grow real, recurring support, on Twitch and beyond. Ready to get started? Let’s walk through it together.

Why Twitch is a powerful donation platform

Twitch isn’t just popular, it’s personal. People don’t just scroll past content; they hang out in real-time. That means when someone donates, it’s not just a transaction, it’s part of the moment. Whether it’s a cheer in the chat or a name popping up on the screen, donors feel seen and appreciated right away.

For nonprofits, this kind of interaction can build a real connection. We’ve seen small teams raise big dollars simply because they showed up, shared their mission, and let their community get involved. It doesn’t take a studio setup or a huge team, just a clear reason to give and a little structure behind the scenes.

And here’s the kicker: Twitch users want to support causes. Especially if it feels easy, trustworthy, and tied to something they care about. That’s why adding donation options directly to your Twitch stream can do more than bring in money, it can turn casual viewers into real supporters.

How to set up donations on Twitch in 5 simple steps

Getting started with Twitch donations might sound technical, but once you see how it works, it’s actually pretty simple. These five steps will walk you through everything you need, from setting up your account to making sure people can actually donate while you're live.

Step 1: Create or optimize your Twitch account

If you haven’t already, start by creating a Twitch account. It’s free and quick. Pick a name that makes sense for your cause or brand, then take a few minutes to polish up your channel.

Add a profile picture, write a short “About” section, and keep your visuals consistent. You want your channel to look trustworthy. If you’re a nonprofit, mention your mission. If you’re a creator raising for a cause, make it clear what you support. These little details help build confidence before anyone even hits donate.

Step 2: Choose your fundraising platform

Next, decide how you want to collect donations. There are a few popular options, like PayPal, Streamlabs, Tiltify, and Harness. Each one has its own setup and features, but they all give you a link or button to share on your channel.

Think about what matters most to you:

• Do you need tax receipts for donors?
• Want real-time alerts during your stream?
• Prefer something with no processing fees?

Pick the platform that fits your goals, not just what’s most popular. And if you’re not sure, start simple and build from there.

Step 3: Add a donation button to your Twitch channel

Once you’ve chosen your donation platform, it’s time to add that link to your Twitch channel. This is how viewers know where to go to support you.

Here’s how to do it:

• Go to your Twitch channel and click “About”
• Turn on “Edit Panels”
• Click the “+” to add a new panel
• Add a title like “Donate” or “Support This Stream”
• Upload a custom image (optional)
• Paste your donation link from your platform (PayPal, Harness, etc.)

Make it easy to find. Most viewers don’t want to go searching for how to give, they want it right there, ready when the moment feels right. Keep the link visible on mobile and desktop, and test it yourself to be sure it works.

Step 4: Link your payment processing platforms

Now it’s time to connect your platform to a place where the money actually lands. For most people, that’s PayPal, but if you're a nonprofit or want more control, using a PayPal Business account is best. It’s more secure, allows higher transaction amounts, and adds credibility.

Some platforms also help with recurring donations and donor tracking, which is helpful if you want to build long-term support, not just one-time gifts.

Before you go live, double-check everything:

• Is your donation link working?
• Is your account set up to receive funds?
• Are your alerts or messages ready to thank donors?

Step 5: Promote your donation page and stream strategically

Once everything is set up, now comes the fun part, getting people to give.

Talk about your cause naturally during your stream. Mention your donation goal, use overlays that show real-time progress, and thank people the moment they give. These small touches go a long way.

You can also:

• Set a challenge or incentive (like “If we hit $100, I’ll…”)
• Create a donor wall or shoutout list
• Use stream titles or social posts that highlight your goal

We’ve seen firsthand how real-time energy and small prompts can turn a quiet stream into a fundraising moment. The key is to make giving part of the experience, not an interruption.

All the ways you can collect donations on Twitch

Twitch gives you a bunch of different ways to accept donations. Some are built into the platform, and others come from outside tools that connect to your channel. The best part? You don’t have to pick just one. Many streamers (and nonprofits) use a mix that fits their audience and goals.

Let’s break them down.

Twitch Bits and Cheers: Using Twitch’s built-in system

Bits are like Twitch’s own mini-currency. Viewers buy them and use them to “cheer” in your chat. Each cheer shows up with an animated emote and sends you a small amount of money.

• Good for: Fun, fast interactions during live streams
• Keep in mind: Twitch takes a cut, and there are limits to how much donors can give this way
• Bonus: Cheering is easy for viewers, especially if they already buy Bits

PayPal donations: A direct and flexible option

A lot of creators and nonprofits still use PayPal because it’s familiar and simple. You just share your PayPal.me link (or a button from your PayPal Business account), and people can donate directly.

• Good for: One-time gifts, direct support
• Keep in mind: You might run into chargebacks if you don’t use a business account. And fees can add up if you’re getting lots of small donations.

Crypto and emerging methods

Some Twitch users prefer donating with cryptocurrency. Platforms like 1upCoin make it easy to connect a wallet and receive coins like Bitcoin or Ethereum. It’s not for everyone, but for tech-savvy donors, it can be a win.

• Good for: Audiences who are already into crypto
• Keep in mind: You’ll need to manage a wallet and understand how taxes and tracking work

Fundraising platforms that integrate with Twitch

Platforms like Tiltify and Harness are designed to work with Twitch and make fundraising smoother. They offer features like goal trackers, donation alerts, and integrations with your stream.

• Good for: Nonprofits, charity streams, and streamers raising for a cause
• Keep in mind: These tools often come with more features, but also take a little more setup

If you’re looking for something that goes beyond a simple “donate” button and helps you grow recurring support, this is where Harness really shines. You get a full view of your donors, personalized tools, and expert guidance to help you grow long-term support, not just one-time gifts.

Advanced tips to increase donations on Twitch

Once your donation tools are in place, it’s time to go beyond the basics. A few small changes can turn a good stream into a great fundraising moment, and help your supporters feel like they’re really part of something.

Use storytelling to connect with your audience

People give when they feel something. Don’t just say “please donate”, tell them why it matters. Share a quick story about someone you’ve helped, or talk about what this donation will do. It doesn’t need to be long, just real.

When we work with nonprofits, we always say this: if your stream feels like a mission, not a sales pitch, people will show up and give again.

Make use of visual donation tools

Twitch is a visual platform, so show your donation progress on screen. Tools like Streamlabs, Tiltify, or Harness let you add progress bars, alerts, and pop-ups when someone gives.

We’ve seen streamers use:

• On-screen donation goals (“Help us hit $500 tonight”)
• Animated alerts when someone donates
• A running list of top donors or recent gifts

These visuals don’t just look cool, they remind your audience that donations are part of the experience.

Turn viewers into recurring donors

One-time donations are great. But recurring donors? That’s where sustainable support happens.

Make it easy for supporters to give monthly. If your platform allows for it, offer a quick way to “make this a monthly gift.” And when someone does, thank them like the hero they are. Monthly givers are often your most loyal fans.

You can also use something like SmartAsk, an idea we love, where your system automatically shows donors how giving just a little each month can make a bigger impact than one large gift. It feels natural, and it works.

Donation safety, transparency, and legal considerations

Let’s talk about the stuff no one wants to deal with, but really needs to. When money starts moving, you need to make sure you’re handling it the right way, for your sake and your donors’.

Use a business or nonprofit account

If you’re using PayPal or another payment processor, don’t rely on a personal account. A business or nonprofit account isn’t just more professional, it also comes with fewer limits, better protection, and the tools you’ll need as donations grow.

We’ve seen a lot of folks get stuck when their personal account gets flagged after a spike in donations. Trust us, it’s better to set it up right from the start.

Watch out for chargebacks and fraud

Sometimes, people donate and then try to take it back. Or worse, scammers test stolen cards on donation pages. To protect yourself:

• Use platforms that flag suspicious activity
• Avoid accepting super large donations from unknown names
• If your tool allows it, set donation limits or require verified emails

It’s rare, but being ready means you don’t have to panic later.

Understand the tax side

This part depends on whether you’re a nonprofit or a personal creator. For nonprofits, donations may be tax-deductible for the donor, but only if processed through the right system (like PayPal Giving Fund or a certified platform). For creators, donations often count as income, and yes, that means taxes.

It’s smart to talk to an accountant once your donations start adding up. A little planning now can save a lot of stress later.

Be transparent with your supporters

People want to know their money is going where it matters. Share how donations will be used, update them when goals are met, and thank them along the way. That kind of trust leads to more giving, and better relationships with your audience.

From stream to support

You don’t need a fancy setup or a massive audience to raise money on Twitch. What you really need is clarity, connection, and a way to make giving feel easy. When donors know what they’re supporting, and see their gift making a difference in real time, they come back. That’s what turns a simple stream into a lasting impact.

Whether you’re running a nonprofit, raising for a cause, or building a loyal creator community, donations can be more than just one-time moments, they can be part of something bigger.