How to Set Up Donations on Twitch for UK Charities (2026)

Live streaming has transformed how charities connect with supporters. Twitch is one of the most effective platforms for engaging audiences in real time.

Whether you're running charity streams, game marathons, Q&A sessions, or podcasts, knowing how to add donations to Twitch can help you turn viewers into active supporters.

But how do you enable donations on Twitch? What are the best methods for accepting donations on Twitch? From built-in tools to third-party integrations, setting up donations can deliver a seamless experience for you and your supporters.

In this guide, we'll walk you through how to activate donations on Twitch, covering different donation methods, setup instructions, and best practices to maximise your fundraising potential.

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In this article:

• Why UK charities should use Twitch

• How to add donations to Twitch in 5 steps

• 8 ways to receive donations on Twitch

• Strategies for promoting donations during streams

• Final thoughts on Twitch donations

• Frequently asked questions

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Why UK charities should use Twitch

Twitch is an interactive live-streaming service owned by Amazon that spans gaming, entertainment, music, sport, and more. It allows you to host live streams that viewers watch in real time, commenting and interacting as you go.

For UK charities, Twitch offers a direct way to reach younger, digitally engaged audiences. This matters: many small charities report an ageing donor base and declining cash at events (a theme we hear repeatedly from village halls, PTAs, and community groups). Twitch helps bridge that gap by putting your cause in front of people who are already online, interactive, and willing to give.

There are two ways a charity can collect a Twitch donation:

• Create a channel to live stream your own content (virtual events, auctions, trivia nights, concerts, gaming tournaments, or Q&A sessions)

• Partner with established streamers who are willing to promote and raise money for your organisation

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UK eligibility: who can use Twitch's built-in Charity Tool?

Twitch's built-in Charity Tool routes donations through PayPal Giving Fund UK. To be eligible, your organisation must be:

• A registered charity in England and Wales (Charity Commission for England and Wales), Scotland (OSCR), or Northern Ireland (CCNI)

• Recognised by HMRC for Gift Aid purposes (a separate registration that gives you a Charities Reference Number)

• Enrolled with PayPal Giving Fund UK

If you're a community group, CIC, or PTA that is not a registered charity, Twitch's own tool is not open to you. That does not mean you cannot fundraise on Twitch. You can still accept donations via a link-out platform (covered in the eight methods below), so you are not excluded from the channel altogether.

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Quick guide: setting up PayPal Giving Fund UK for Twitch

To use Twitch's built-in Charity Tool, your charity needs to be listed with PayPal Giving Fund UK. Here is how to get set up:

• Check your eligibility: Your charity must be registered with the Charity Commission (E&W), OSCR (Scotland), or CCNI (Northern Ireland), and HMRC-recognised for Gift Aid.

• Enrol with PayPal Giving Fund UK: Visit the PayPal Giving Fund UK page and follow the enrolment process. Some charities are listed automatically via CAF or Charities Trust integrations; others apply directly.

• Complete your profile: Make sure your charity's name, logo, description, website, and cause area are fully updated. Incomplete profiles will not be accepted.

• Connect to Twitch: Once your charity is enrolled, it should appear in Twitch's Charity tool within 48 hours. If it does not, contact Twitch Support.

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Before you start: Gift Aid and UK data protection

Gift Aid on stream donations: Under HMRC Gift Aid rules, your charity can reclaim 25p from HMRC for every £1 donated by a UK taxpayer who provides a valid Gift Aid declaration. This applies to donations made directly to a registered charity. Gift Aid does not apply to Bits, Cheers, subscription payments, raffle ticket purchases, or any transaction where the donor receives a benefit in return.

Higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers can claim the difference between basic rate and their rate via Self Assessment.

UK GDPR and PECR: If you capture donor contact details from a Twitch stream (for example, through a donation form or sign-up link), you need a lawful basis under UK GDPR. For direct e-marketing by email or SMS, you need explicit consent or a valid soft opt-in under PECR. The Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice (updated November 2025) covers online fundraising conduct, including data collection.

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How to add donations to Twitch in 5 steps

Learn how to enable donations on Twitch and get set up to engage your community in the best way possible.

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Step 1: Create a Twitch account

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The first step to receiving charity donations is to create a Twitch account. Head to Twitch and complete the sign-up process.

• Pick a username and password: Choose a username (4 to 25 characters) and set a secure password.

• Verify your Twitch account: You can use your phone number to verify. Enter a mobile number (landlines and VOIP numbers will not work).

• Enter your date of birth and sign up: Add your date of birth, then complete sign-up. Depending on the method you choose, you will be prompted to verify your email address or phone number to finish.

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Step 2: Set up your channel

To set up your Twitch channel, you can be creative about the information and detail you want your community to see and engage with.

Customisable elements on Twitch channels

• Your profile picture

• Your profile banner

• Your profile accent colour and video player banner

• Your bio and social links (a great spot to link your charity website and social channels)

• Your streaming schedule

• A channel trailer video to appear at the top

• Information panels (a place to add links to campaigns, images, and other details)

How to set up your streaming schedule

If you're raising money on Twitch, having a clear stream schedule helps supporters know when to tune in. Here is how to set it up in a few steps:

• Go to Settings, then Channel in the side menu, and click the 'Schedule' tab.

• Click 'Add Stream' to set up your first scheduled event.

• Customise your stream's title, category, start time, duration, frequency, and specific days.

• You can always edit or update your schedule later based on your availability.

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Step 3: Link your payment platforms

Once your channel is ready, it's time to link your payment method. Twitch works with several payment options, including Stripe and PayPal. You can also add a donation page link using your fundraising platform, which we cover below.

How to enable donations on Twitch with modern payment options

Setting up these services requires you to submit personal information and details of your bank or credit/debit card. Depending on the platform you choose, you can also access subscriptions, voluntary contribution systems, and more.

What to know:

• Add a payment method: During checkout, choose a payment option such as credit/debit card or PayPal. Click 'See More Methods' for additional options.

• Manage payment methods: Go to your Wallet (click your profile icon, then Wallet) to view or update your payment options.

• Update or delete payments: Once added, you can update or remove payment methods from your Wallet.

A note on regular giving: Direct Debit (via GoCardless) is the dominant UK regular-giving mechanism, accounting for a significant share of all UK charity donations by value. Twitch itself does not process Direct Debit payments, but a link-out donation page, such as Zeffy's free donation form, can capture recurring supporters who first discover your cause on a stream.

Adding your donation page link

When it comes to offering a smooth donation experience, you can keep it simple and consistent by using a donation page link that your donors already know and trust. This approach also lets you keep tracking within the same platform.

You can add a donation page link (such as your Zeffy donation link) to your Twitch channel within your Creator Dashboard. Simply go to Settings and add your URL under social links.

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Step 4: Add a donation button

Twitch does not offer a built-in donation button, but you can integrate third-party platforms to facilitate donations. Adding a button that guides viewers to your donation page makes the process intuitive and avoids unnecessary friction.

How to accept donations on Twitch with a donate button

• Log in to your Twitch account and navigate to the Creator Dashboard.

• Click 'Extensions' and then 'Manage Extensions'.

• Search for a donation extension such as PayPal, Streamlabs, Tiltify, or Donor Drive. These allow you to create a donate link or button.

• Open your channel dashboard on Twitch and edit the 'About' section.

• Paste the donate link or button into the panels or description, and your button will appear on the channel.

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Step 5: Promote your channel

Once your channel is live, promote it to build a following and raise money. The best approach is a multi-faceted promotional strategy.

Focus on the following channels to grow your visibility and boost charitable donations:

• Twitch communities: Engage in relevant Twitch communities and discussions to grow your audience organically.

• Social media: Share streaming schedules and highlights to draw your followers into your Twitch channel.

• Email outreach: Notify your existing donor base about your Twitch presence and streaming events.

• Website integration: Feature your Twitch channel prominently on your website to direct supporters to your streams.

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8 ways to receive donations on Twitch

Now that you're set up, let's look at all the ways Twitch can help your charity receive donations. You can choose from several donation methods, detailed below alongside a side-by-side comparison of their pros and cons.

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1. Donation page link: a free, customisable option

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If you're looking for a free way to collect donations during a Twitch stream and keep full control over your campaign, Zeffy is a powerful platform built for charities. It's 100% free (no transaction fees, ever), and gives you a unique donation page link you can add directly to your Twitch profile, stream overlays, or chat.

Zeffy captures Gift Aid declarations at the point of donation, so eligible UK-taxpayer gifts can be reclaimed by your charity from HMRC. Every pound raised goes directly to your cause.

How it works

• Set up a Zeffy account and create a custom donation page for your campaign.

• Add the link to your Twitch stream as a panel, button, or chatbot command.

• Viewers can click the link and donate securely, and Zeffy handles the rest.

Ideal for

Charities that want full branding control, zero platform fees, native Gift Aid declaration capture, and campaign flexibility, without handing a slice to a JustGiving-style voluntary contribution prompt.

Considerations

Zeffy does not integrate directly with Twitch like the built-in Charity Tool, so viewers will be taken off-platform to donate. That said, it's a strong option for maximising donations and giving supporters a seamless, branded experience.

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2. Twitch's built-in Charity Tool: the simplest, most direct option

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Twitch has a built-in charity feature that makes fundraising straightforward, with no need for third-party platforms or extra steps. The Twitch Charity Tool for Creators allows Twitch streamers to run fundraisers where 100% of the money goes directly to the charity, without the streamer ever touching the funds.

How it works

• Streamers can choose your organisation, set a fundraising goal, and launch a campaign.

• A 'Donate to Charity' button appears on their stream for easy, direct contributions.

Ideal for

Registered UK charities enrolled with PayPal Giving Fund UK that want a simple, no-fuss way to collect donations directly from Twitch users.

Considerations

Only charities enrolled in PayPal Giving Fund UK are eligible. Gift Aid on Twitch Charity Tool donations is handled by PayPal Giving Fund UK where the donor opts in during the PayPal flow; the charity does not need to submit a separate Gift Aid claim for those donations. If your organisation is a community group, CIC, or PTA that is not a registered charity, this tool is not available to you.

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3. PayPal donations: the go-to for direct donations

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PayPal is a familiar and trusted way to accept donations. Many Twitch streamers set up a PayPal donation link so their viewers can contribute directly to their charity.

How it works

• Create a PayPal Business account (if you do not already have one) via the UK PayPal site.

• Generate a PayPal.me donation link or a PayPal Donate button.

• Share this link in your Twitch About section or display it on-screen during streams.

Ideal for

Charities that want a widely recognised and familiar donation method that supporters already use.

Considerations

There is an important UK distinction to be aware of. A standard PayPal donate button is quick and familiar, but Gift Aid is not automatic: if you want to reclaim Gift Aid on those donations, you will need to capture declarations separately. PayPal Giving Fund UK (the route used by Twitch's Charity Tool) does handle Gift Aid, but eligibility is gated on being a registered, HMRC-recognised charity enrolled with the fund.

Pro tip

Post your link in the channel's chat during streams. This ties donation requests to specific moments and reminds viewers of the option to give in real time. It also increases the visibility of the donation link for those who may overlook the panel.

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4. Streamlabs donations: for charities that want custom alerts and branding

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If you want to engage your Twitch audience with live donation alerts, Streamlabs is a strong option. This tool allows streamers to set up a donation link, and when someone donates, an alert pops up on screen (for example, 'Jane just donated £20 to [Charity Name]!').

How it works

• Set up a Streamlabs account and link it to a payment method (PayPal, credit card, and so on).

• Generate a donation link and add it to your Twitch About section.

• Use Streamlabs' built-in tools to create custom alerts and overlays that appear during donations.

Ideal for

Charities that want to make donations feel more interactive and rewarding for their donors.

Considerations

There is a small processing fee and some initial setup involved, but it's one of the most engaging ways to create a donation experience during a stream.

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5. Tiltify: the best choice for charity fundraising campaigns

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If your charity runs a major fundraising event or campaign, Tiltify is a powerful tool built specifically for charity streaming. Unlike PayPal or Streamlabs, Tiltify is designed for charities, with built-in fundraising features such as team leaderboards, donation incentives, and goal tracking.

How it works

• Sign up for Tiltify and set up your charity's campaign page.

• Streamers can then select your campaign and start fundraising on your behalf.

• Donations go directly to your charity; you can track progress in real time.

Ideal for

Charities looking to run large Twitch fundraising campaigns with streamers rallying their communities around a cause.

Considerations

This works best for structured fundraising campaigns rather than everyday donations.

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6. Bits and Cheers: Twitch's own virtual currency

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Twitch has a built-in system called Bits and Cheers. Instead of donating money directly, viewers buy Bits (a virtual currency) and 'Cheer' for streamers. Twitch then converts those Bits into real money for the streamer.

How it works

• Viewers buy Bits and use them to Cheer in a stream.

• For every 100 Bits, streamers earn approximately £0.80 (after Twitch takes its share of the revenue).

• If a streamer is fundraising, they can choose to donate their earnings to a charity.

Ideal for

Creators who want a Twitch-native way for their audience to support them while streaming.

Considerations

Twitch takes a share of the Bits revenue, and Bits is not a direct donation route from the viewer to the charity. This is important for Gift Aid purposes: because the viewer receives virtual currency value in exchange, the transaction is not a Gift Aid-eligible donation from the viewer to the charity. If the streamer chooses to donate their Bits earnings to a charity, that is the streamer's own personal gift, and a separate Gift Aid declaration from the streamer would be required.

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7. Cryptocurrency donations: an additional method to accept donations

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Crypto is another method for accepting donations on Twitch because of its speed, security, and lower transaction fees. Receiving payments into your crypto wallet is as simple as sharing the wallet address with your viewers.

How it works

• Open your crypto wallet app and navigate to the 'Receive' button or link.

• Copy your unique wallet address, which appears as a string of random numbers and letters.

• Create a donation section on your Twitch profile, similar to the PayPal donations section described above.

• Paste your wallet address in the description section.

Ideal for

Streamers who want a decentralised, low-fee way to accept donations.

Considerations

Make sure to specify which cryptocurrency the wallet address is for. Users cannot send Litecoin to an Ethereum wallet, so labelling each address clearly is critical.

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8. Brave Creator Programme: a privacy-conscious approach

The Brave Browser makes it easier to receive cryptocurrency donations through its Brave Rewards system on Twitch. Brave users earn the Basic Attention Token (BAT) by viewing privacy-respecting ads while browsing. These users can then tip their favourite Twitch streams directly with BAT.

How it works

• Visit the Brave Creators website and sign up or log in with an existing account.

• Once logged in, navigate to the 'Channels' section.

• Click 'Add Channel' and select 'Twitch' from the list of supported platforms.

• Inform your viewers they can donate BAT earned through the Brave Rewards system.

• Paste the link to your Brave Verified Creator page.

Ideal for

Privacy-conscious viewers and streamers interested in crypto donations.

Considerations

Donations are limited to BAT, so streamers must convert them to other currencies if needed.

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Strategies for promoting donations during streams

Raising funds through Twitch is not just about enabling donations. It's about creating an engaging experience that excites viewers and motivates them to contribute. Here are proven strategies that successful Twitch streamers have used to maximise donations.

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1. Use custom alerts to drive engagement

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Custom donation alerts are a staple of Twitch fundraising, making each contribution feel special. Top streamers have used personalised alerts with animated GIFs, sound effects, and voiceovers to create an engaging donor experience. These alerts acknowledge donations in real time and encourage others to join in.

A great example: Jacksepticeye's charity streams

• Customised alerts based on donation tiers

• Higher donations trigger unique sounds, animations, or personalised thank-you messages

• The act of donating becomes an interactive part of the stream

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2. Set a goal and show progress

Viewers are more likely to donate when they can see the impact of their contributions. Setting up a donation goal meter creates a sense of urgency and shared purpose.

A great example: DrLupo's St. Jude charity streams (US example, same tactic applies equally to UK charity streams)

• Displayed a live progress bar, showing how each donation contributed to a larger mission

• The community rallied together, reaching fundraising targets and demonstrating the power of a united audience

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3. Thank donors in real time

Acknowledging donors at the moment fosters a generous culture within your community. Making it a point to personally thank contributors during live streams reinforces a direct connection with your audience.

A great example: Ludwig's streams for disaster relief (US example, tactic universal)

• Adding an overlay to your Twitch channel showcases top donors or recent contributions

• Incentivising more donations with on-screen leaderboards

• Sparking friendly competition among viewers

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4. Create a donor hall of fame

Recognition goes a long way in encouraging larger contributions. Some streamers have built donor halls of fame on their profiles, listing top supporters and offering exclusive perks such as private Discord access or VIP status in chat.

A great example: Tiltify charity campaigns

• Donors receive digital badges or leaderboard placements based on their contributions

• A competitive and rewarding experience drives donations

• A sense of community on your Twitch channel page can boost fundraising efforts

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5. Partner with streamers

Charity collaborations amplify reach and increase charitable donations. Twitch creators have successfully partnered with others to host large fundraising events.

A great example: Hbomberguy's marathon stream for Mermaids UK

• Raised over £269,000 for Mermaids UK by leveraging celebrity and streamer collaborations

• Used Twitch's Charity Tool to direct 100% of raised funds (minus processing fees) to the charity

• Hosted Q&As and talk shows with multiple creators, building an audience far beyond the streamer's usual community

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UK-specific promotion tips

Alongside the universal tactics above, UK charities can go further:

• Tap into UK charity moments: Align streams with UK fundraising moments such as Giving Tuesday, Christmas appeals, or Macmillan Coffee Morning tie-ins. These give viewers an immediate, recognisable reason to give.

• Display your charity number and Fundraising Regulator recognition: In your Twitch channel panels, show your registered charity number and note that your charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. These are the trust signals UK donors look for before giving online.

• Be transparent about where the money goes: Tell viewers explicitly what percentage of each donation reaches the cause and what, if anything, covers processing fees. UK audiences are particularly sensitive to hidden costs and voluntary contribution prompts (the JustGiving tipping model is the most-criticised pattern in UK fundraising). Transparency builds trust and increases conversion.

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Final thoughts on Twitch donations

Whichever donation method works best for you, Twitch offers an exciting way to rally supporters and raise funds in a genuinely interactive format. You can create engaging live streams that inspire real-time generosity by making the most of the platform's community features.

Success on Twitch comes from authenticity, consistent engagement, and a willingness to try different content formats.

As you develop your Twitch fundraising, consider pairing your streams with a comprehensive online donation platform. You can link your donation page directly on Twitch to keep a consistent giving experience across all the channels where you engage your community.

Zeffy offers a 100% free fundraising platform and a simple donation page link, ensuring that every pound raised goes directly to your cause. Zeffy has easy-to-use tools for creating donation forms you can share across multiple channels, including your Twitch campaigns. This lets you manage donations from various sources in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

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