How to Change Your Facebook Page to a Nonprofit

Changing your Facebook Page category to Nonprofit Organization can unlock powerful fundraising tools and instantly build trust with your supporters. This guide breaks down the full process, step-by-step, from updating your page information to getting verified by Meta so you can start using your new features effectively. We'll also cover how to make the most of your Page once it's officially recognized.

What You Gain by Switching Your Facebook Page to the Nonprofit Category

Making this switch isn't just about changing a label under your Page's name. It signals to your audience, and to Meta itself, that you are a mission-driven organization. This official designation brings tangible benefits that can directly support your cause.

Once your nonprofit is verified by Meta, you unlock a suite of tools designed specifically for fundraising. These include:

• The ability to add a permanent "Donate" button directly to your Page, giving visitors a clear and immediate way to support you.
• The power to create and manage your own Facebook Fundraisers, which are perfect for specific campaigns, giving events like GivingTuesday, or year-end appeals.
• The option for your supporters to create community fundraisers on your behalf. This is a massive driver of organic reach and discovery, as your advocates tap into their own networks to raise money for your cause.
• The use of Donation Stickers in your Facebook and Instagram Reels, Stories, and Live broadcasts. This turns engaging content into an instant fundraising opportunity while reaching your audience where they spend their time.

In many regions, Meta also covers the processing fees for donations made to most registered nonprofits, meaning you get to keep 100% of the money raised through their platform.

Build Trust and Credibility Instantly

The "Nonprofit Organization" label serves as an immediate signal of trust. When a new user lands on your Page, this simple category identifier tells them you are a legitimate, purpose-driven entity and not a commercial business. It removes ambiguity and helps people understand your purpose at a glance, making them more likely to follow, engage, and support your work.

Become Eligible for More Meta for Nonprofits Programs

Successfully registering your Page as a nonprofit opens the door to other programs and tools Meta offers exclusively to charitable organizations. These resources can change over time but often include access to specific marketing resources, dedicated support channels, and sometimes even Ad Credits for eligible nonprofits. Getting your Page properly categorized is the foundational step to being able to benefit from these offerings in the future.

First Things First: Are You Eligible? A Quick Checklist

Before you get started, it's important to understand that Meta has strict requirements for who can access their fundraising tools. Merely having a good cause isn't enough, you need official legal recognition. Run through this checklist to see if you're ready.

• Legal Status: Your organization must be a registered charity. In the United States, this means you need to be a 501(c)(3) public charity. The requirements vary for other countries, but you'll need the equivalent legal, tax-exempt designation.
• Documentation: You will need official proof of your organization's status. For U.S.-based nonprofits, this is typically your IRS determination letter confirming your 501(c)(3) status and your organization's Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Bank Account: You need an official bank account registered under your organization’s legal name. Donations will be sent here, so personal accounts won't work.
• Page Admin Access: The person completing the application needs to have full Admin-level access to the Facebook Page and the connected Meta Business Suite or Business Manager account.
• Matching Information: The legal name on your documentation, your bank account summary, and your Facebook Page must match as closely as possible to avoid rejection.

If you don't meet these requirements, you will likely be unable to complete the verification process needed to unlock the fundraising tools.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Facebook Page Category

The process involves two major phases: first, updating the public-facing category on your Page and second, completing the behind-the-scenes verification with Meta to get access to all the features.

Step 1: Update Your Outward-Facing Page Category

This is the quick and easy part that changes the label visitors see. Many people do this part and then wonder why the "Donate" button isn't available. Remember, this step alone does not unlock any fundraising tools.

1. Navigate to your Facebook Page while logged in as an Admin.
2. On the left-hand menu, click "Manage" to access your Page's professional dashboard.
3. Scroll down the left menu and select "Page access," then "Page settings," and finally find the "Page Info" tab. Or, go directly to your Page's "About" tab.
4. Look for the "Category" section and click "Edit."
5. Start typing "Nonprofit Organization" and select it from the options that appear.
6. Click "Save."

Your Page now publicly identifies as a nonprofit. Congratulations! Now it's time for the most important step: getting verified.

Step 2: Sign Up and Get Verified for Meta Pay

This is the part that formally registers your organization with Meta and gives you access to the donation tools. You'll typically do this through the Meta Business Suite.

1. Go to your Meta Business Suite. You can find it by navigating to business.facebook.com for your account.
2. In the left-hand menu, look for "All tools" and then find the "Monetization" section. Under this, you should see options like "Payout settings" or something similar related to financial setup. Alternatively, find a 'Fundraising tools' section if visible.
3. Click to set them up. This will start the application process for Meta Pay.
4. Follow the prompts to begin adding your nonprofit's information. You will be asked for:
   • Your organization's country and legal structure.
   • Your official legal name, address, and contact information.
   • Your tax identification number (like your EIN in the US).
   • The name and date of birth of your organization's CEO or executive director. This is for identity verification.
   • Your organization's bank account information (routing and account number) for receiving donations. You may also need to upload a recent bank statement to prove ownership.
5. Carefully review all the information you've entered for accuracy. Mismatches between your documents and your submission are the most common reason for rejection.
6. Submit your application.

The review process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Meta's team manually reviews these applications, so patience is needed. You should receive an email and a notification once your status has been approved.

Your Page is Verified: Here’s How to Use the New Tools

Once you get that exciting approval notification, it's time to put your new features to work. Here are the first things you should do.

Activate the 'Donate' Button

Go to your Facebook Page and you should now see a prompt to add a "Donate" button as your primary call-to-action at the top of the Page. If not, click the existing button (e.g., "Send Message" or "Learn More") and choose the option to edit it, then select "Donate." This places your donation link front and center for every visitor.

Launch Your First Fundraiser

Get familiar with the system by creating a test fundraiser or a small-scale campaign. Go to the "Fundraisers" tab on your Page and click "Raise Money." You'll be able to set a goal, write a description, and choose a compelling cover photo. This is a great way to generate excitement for a specific project.

Encourage Supporter-Led Fundraisers

Make sure your followers know they can start fundraisers on your behalf for their birthdays, holidays, or just because they believe in your mission. Post about this opportunity on your Page, telling people how their small action can make a big impact. Create shareable graphics and pre-written text to make it even easier for them.

Use Donation Stickers in Your Content

The next time you go Live, post a Reel, or add to your Story, look for the "sticker" icon. You'll now have access to a "Donation" sticker. Add it to your content so viewers can donate directly without leaving what they're watching. This is an incredibly effective tool for turning compelling storytelling into immediate action.

Common Roadblocks and How to Fix Them

If you hit a snag during the process, don't worry. Here are solutions to some of the most common issues.

Problem: "I changed my category but I still don't see the 'Donate' button!"

Solution: This almost always means you've only completed Step 1 (changing the public category) but have not finished Step 2 (getting verified with Meta Pay). Go back through the verification steps in Meta Business Suite. The fundraising tools will only appear after you receive official approval from Meta.

Problem: "My verification application was rejected."

Solution: Read the reason for the rejection carefully. The most common reasons are: the organization's name on the Facebook Page doesn't match the legal name on your tax documents, the bank account is not in the organization's name, or the uploaded documents were unclear or incorrect. Correct the issue and submit your application again.

Problem: "Verification is taking a long time. Should I restart it?"

Solution: Resist the urge to resubmit your application if you've already started the process. The standard review time can be 2-3 weeks, and sometimes longer during busy periods. Submitting again may reset your place in the queue. Wait for an official confirmation or rejection notice before taking any further action. If several weeks pass, try finding a support link through the Meta Business Help Center.

Final Thoughts

Switching your Facebook Page to a verified nonprofit opens up a world of opportunity, helping you turn engagement into tangible support for your mission. The process requires careful attention to detail, but correctly completing the verification rewards you with powerful tools to connect with your community and drive donations directly where they're needed most.

Once your fundraising tools are set up, keeping your community engaged is the best way to encourage support. Managing content creation across Reels, Stories, and videos for multiple platforms can feel overwhelming for a busy team, and we know that clunky, outdated software only adds to the headache. Our tool, Postbase, helps nonprofits stay on track with a simple, visual content calendar built for the way social media actually works today. We built it to be reliable and easy to use, letting you plan your impact stories, schedule supporter updates, and manage all your conversations in one place, so you can spend more time on your mission and less on fighting with your software.