NGO Website Checklist: UPI Donations, 80G & Transparency

Before someone donates to a trust or NGO, they check it online. They want to know: is this organisation real, what does it actually do, and is my money safe? Your website answers those questions — or fails to.

This checklist covers what an Indian NGO or charitable trust website needs in 2026, from donation pages and 80G receipts to the transparency pages that build donor trust.

Why Your Website Matters More Than Social Media

Social media posts disappear in a feed. Your website is the permanent, official place where donors, volunteers, CSR teams and grant makers verify your organisation. Programmes such as Google Ad Grants also require a proper website on your own domain before they approve you.

The Checklist

1. Basics

• Your own domain (for example yourtrust.org), not a free subdomain
• HTTPS (padlock in the browser) on every page
• Fast loading and easy to read on a phone — most donors visit from mobile
• A clear statement at the top: who you are, where you work, and who you help

2. About and credibility

• Your story — why the organisation was started
• Mission and vision in simple language
• Trustees or board members with names and roles
• Registered address and contact details that match your registration documents

3. Programmes and impact

• One section or page per programme — what it does, who can apply and how
• Real photos from your work, used with the permission of the people shown
• Only verified numbers — beneficiaries, events, funds used. Never estimate or inflate.
• News or updates with dates, so visitors can see you are active

4. Transparency page

Donors and CSR teams look for proof. Show what you are allowed to share publicly:

• Registration type and number — Trust, Society or Section 8 Company
• NGO Darpan ID, if registered
• 12A and 80G registration status
• FCRA registration, if you accept foreign contributions
• Annual reports and audited financial summaries
• Remove personal details — trustees' PAN, Aadhaar and signatures — before uploading documents

5. Donation page

• A UPI QR code and UPI ID that belong to the organisation's own bank account, not a personal account
• Bank transfer details: account name, number, IFSC and branch
• Suggested amounts that show what each gift does ("₹500 supports a child's books for a month") — only if true
• Clear instructions for getting a donation receipt
• Separate instructions for foreign donors if you have FCRA registration

6. 80G receipts — get this right

If your organisation has 80G approval, donors can claim a tax deduction. Keep these points in mind:

• Say "donations are eligible for deduction under Section 80G" only after you have the approval certificate
• Collect each donor's name, address and PAN — you need them for your annual donation statement
• File the donation statement (Form 10BD) with the Income Tax Department each year and issue donors their certificate (Form 10BE) — your CA will confirm the current due dates
• Mention that cash donations above ₹2,000 are not eligible for the 80G deduction, so donors should use UPI or bank transfer

7. Get involved

• Volunteer sign-up form
• Partnership and CSR enquiry form
• Contact form, phone and WhatsApp
• Social media links

8. Legal pages

• Privacy policy — especially if you collect donor PAN and addresses
• Terms of use
• Refund or cancellation policy for online donations

Common Mistakes NGOs Make

• Using a trustee's personal UPI ID for donations — it looks unsafe and complicates accounting
• Claiming 80G or tax benefits before approval
• Invented or rounded-up impact figures — one false number can damage trust permanently
• Stock photos instead of real photos from the field
• No updates for months, so the organisation looks inactive
• A website on a free builder subdomain, which blocks programmes like Google Ad Grants

A Real Example

We recently built the website and admin dashboard for H R Foundation, a charitable trust in Peddapalli, Telangana. It includes programme pages, a UPI donation page, a public documents page, and a back office where staff record donations and issue PDF receipts — and every number on the site is verified before it is published.

How QDCODEX Can Help

Our NGO & trust website plan covers your website, monthly SEO and Google Ad Grants application help for ₹2,500 + GST per month (minimum 12 months), with domain and hosting billed yearly. We also build one-time websites and custom donation and volunteer systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a new trust accept online donations? Yes, through UPI or bank transfer to the trust's own account. Only mention tax benefits after 80G approval is received.

Do we need a payment gateway? Not to start. A UPI QR code and bank details work well. A payment gateway helps when you want automatic receipts and card payments.

Should we show our trust deed on the website? Show only what the trustees approve, and remove personal details such as PAN, Aadhaar and signatures first.

How often should we update the website? At least monthly — a news update, event photos or a programme report shows donors that you are active.