Linking Payment Sources
How to connect your payment sources so funds and donor data flow into Chariot automatically.
To receive funds and donor data through Chariot, each payment source needs to be connected to your Chariot Deposit Account. Some payers connect automatically; others require a one-time setup step. Once connected, all payers behave the same — funds and data arrive in Chariot automatically.
This article explains the two types of connections and provides setup instructions for each major payer.
Auto-Linked vs. Manually Linked Payers
Examples
Daffy, Groundswell, etc.
Fidelity Charitable, Benevity, Ren (Pinkaloo), PayPal Grant Payments, YourCause, CyberGrants etc.
Setup
No action required — data and funds flow automatically into your Chariot Deposit Account.
A one-time connection is required. You may need to log into the payer portal or submit a form.
How it works
These providers are already connected to your Chariot account. They were linked by default because they partner with Chariot for end-to-end payments.
You authorize Chariot to receive payments and donation data from this payer. This does not indicate a partnership or sponsorship with Chariot.
Access
Chariot receives grant payments and associated donation data only. All data is encrypted end-to-end.
Chariot receives grant payments and associated donation data only. Access is read-only and scoped specifically to receiving grants. Chariot does not access account settings or user management.
You can find instructions to link every Payment source within your Chariot dashboard. Reach out if you'd like support or need help along the way.
How to link your payment sources
Login to Chariot and navigate to the Payers page from the lefthand sidebar
Under ‘Available Payers’, select the first payer you would like to link
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup. While the exact steps may vary by payer, you’ll always be asked to do two things:
Update your payment details - You’ll receive a unique bank account and routing number to enter in your payer portal or submit via a form.
Add Chariot as a user - This allows Chariot to pull donation data into your account. Access is limited to grant payment data only.
After you start linking a new payer, it will appear in the Linked Payers section. If you see an orange clock icon next to the payer name, it means setup is still in progress. Return to the instructions to make sure all required steps have been completed.
Once you’ve completed all steps, your part is done. Approval times vary by payer and can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
After your payment details are approved, gift deposits and donation details will be automatically reconciled in your dashboard.
Linking a new payer typically takes 5–10 minutes per payer. To complete setup, you’ll need to be an authorized contact or administrator on your organization’s payer account with permission to add users and update payment information.
Virtual Account Numbers
You may notice that each linked payer displays a different account number in your Chariot dashboard. This is by design.
Chariot uses virtual account numbers (VANs) — a standard practice in financial technology — to route each payer's deposits into the correct ledger within your single Chariot Deposit Account. The routing number remains the same across all payers.
VANs allow Chariot to automatically match each deposit to the correct payment source without any manual reconciliation work on your part. They are used for internal ledgering only and do not affect how funds flow to your organization.
Digital Mailbox
Chariot's Digital Mailbox lets you receive checks digitally — no P.O. box, no waiting for mail. Checks are scanned, deposited, and visible in your Chariot dashboard on the same business day and in the same standardized format as all your other data from other payment sources.
You can get set up by visiting the Digital Mailbox page within your dashboard or speaking with the Chariot team.
What's Included
Same-day visibility — Scanned check images appear same-day in your Chariot portal.
Automatic deposits — Checks deposited directly into your Chariot account shortly after imaging.
Automatic data parsing — Donation information is instantly visible in your dashboard for gift processing.
Expandable — In the future, receive checks from other DAF sponsors through the same mailbox.
Full terms and conditions are available at givechariot.com/digital-mailbox-addendum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a payer I use isn't listed here?
Chariot supports dozens of DAF sponsors and workplace giving platforms. If you receive grants from a payer not covered above, reach out to your Chariot team — they can advise on the best way to connect it.
Can I add a new payer after initial setup?
Yes. You can link additional payers at any time from the Payers page in your dashboard. Reach out to your Chariot team for assistance.
Why does Chariot need access to our payer portals?
To consolidate both funds and donor data from each payer, Chariot needs to be linked to your existing payer accounts. This is a one-time setup scoped specifically to receiving grant payments and retrieving gift data — not broad or ongoing access to your accounts.
Last updated