Nonprofit verification

Learn how Change verifies nonprofits before sending payouts

Change runs a series of checks on nonprofits and users before sending payouts. These checks are designed to protect the nonprofit and secure grant funds.

Verification methods

When a nonprofit creates an account on Change, it is automatically sorted into a verification tier based on its size and payout volume. Each tier has a set of Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements that must be completed before payouts are enabled. If an organization moves up to a higher tier later, payouts are paused again until the new tier’s requirements are met.

Nonprofit standing

Every organization on Change must be a charitable nonprofit in good standing according to the country in which it is registered. Change supports 168+ countries and territories (view full list).

Domain verification

Domain verification is checked automatically upon signup. If the nonprofit user’s email domain matches the website domain of the claimed nonprofit, they pass domain verification.

Control proof

Nonprofit users may be asked to complete a control proof to demonstrate they are authorized to act on behalf of the organization. The process works as follows:

1. Change sends an email to the public contact email of the nonprofit, requesting approval of the nonprofit user’s claim on Change.
2. At the same time, the nonprofit user receives a notification informing them of the confirmation email that has been sent to the nonprofit.
3. Once someone at the organization clicks “Confirm” in the email, the control proof is successful.

ID upload

Nonprofit users may be required to upload a government-issued ID. Identity verification is handled through Stripe Identity.

Extended review

Additional documents may be requested depending on the nonprofit’s size and the results of earlier KYC checks. The nonprofit user is notified when their account is under review, and if the nonprofit has any followup questions, they can be resolved by Change customer support.