> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.helpyousponsor.com/guides/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.helpyousponsor.com/guides/administration/notification-preferences.md).

# Notification Preferences

Notification Preferences let each person choose which HelpYouSponsor updates they want to receive. Admin preferences control the updates that appear in that admin's notification bell and pop-up notifications. Donor preferences control the donor-facing email updates a donor receives from the donor portal.

Notification preferences are personal. Changing your preferences does not change another admin's preferences, another donor's preferences, or the Activity Log.

### Admin notification preferences

To open your admin notification preferences:

1. Click **"Account Settings"** under **"Settings"** on the main menu.
2. Click the **"My Notifications"** tab.

<figure><img src="/files/0dcc5yYbnr7oPJZ6WpQT" alt=""><figcaption><p>My Notifications tab in Account Settings.</p></figcaption></figure>

The My Notifications tab shows notification topics grouped into **Important updates** and **Other updates**. Important updates are marked **Recommended** because they may include account, payment, or security-related activity.

Admin notification preferences control push notifications in HelpYouSponsor, including the notification bell and pop-up notifications. They do not turn off automated emails sent to admins from your email templates.

Admin notification topics include:

* **Donors and sponsorships**: Donor account changes, commitments, and sponsorship activity.
* **Donations and payment issues**: Donation activity, failed payments, receipts, and payment operations.
* **Messages**: Donor-recipient messages, drafts, approvals, and sent messages.
* **Account and permissions**: Permission changes, account setup, billing, and payment setup events.
* **Recipients**: Recipient profile, file, photo, archive, and restore updates.
* **Exports and reports**: Exports, imports, scheduled reports, and generated download files.
* **Newsletters and mailings**: Newsletter and mailing run completion or failure.

### Turn a notification topic on or off

In **Simple** view, each topic has one main toggle. Turning the toggle off mutes that topic for your admin notification bell and pop-up notifications.

If the topic is recommended, HelpYouSponsor asks you to confirm before turning it off.

<figure><img src="/files/CeVVrcNRoA9K7gfypVum" alt=""><figcaption><p>Confirmation shown before turning off a recommended notification topic.</p></figcaption></figure>

After making changes, click **"Save changes"** in the bar at the bottom of the page.

Use the search box to filter topics by name, description, or event.

### Customize specific events

Use **Advanced** view when you want to control individual events inside a topic.

1. Click **"Advanced"**.
2. Click **"Customize"** on the topic you want to adjust.
3. Turn individual events on or off.
4. Click **"Save changes"**.

<figure><img src="/files/jBFQzew3yaloGQc5jUuv" alt=""><figcaption><p>Advanced view with specific event controls open.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Enable all, mute all, or reset

The My Notifications tab includes three bulk actions:

* **Enable all**: Turns every available notification topic back on.
* **Mute all**: Turns every available notification topic off.
* **Reset**: Restores the default notification settings.

By default, notification topics are turned on until you change them.

### Donor notification preferences

Donors can manage their own email notification preferences from the donor portal.

To open donor notification preferences:

1. Log in to the donor portal. If the donor needs an access link first, use [Donor Portal Login](/guides/core-features/donor-management/donor-portal-login.md) to send the right login link.
2. Open the profile menu in the top-right corner.
3. Click **"Notifications"**.

The donor notification preferences page controls email updates only. Donors do not see admin bell or pop-up notification controls.

Donor email topics include:

* **Account security**: Account setup, login, verification, password reset, and username recovery emails.
* **Receipts and tax documents**: Payment receipts, commitment receipts, year-end statements, and tax summaries.
* **Payment issues and reminders**: Payment failures, card reminders, and charge issue notices.
* **Sponsorship updates**: New sponsorships, profile updates, and future sponsorship notices.
* **Messages**: Recipient-to-sponsor messages.
* **Photos and files**: Photo and file update notices.

Donors can use **Simple** view for one toggle per topic, or **Advanced** view to customize the specific email events inside a topic. After changing preferences, donors should click **"Save changes"**.

### What notification preferences do not change

Notification preferences do not change:

* The Activity Log. Account activity is still recorded even when a notification topic is muted.
* Admin permissions. Use [Permissions and Access Control](/guides/administration/permissions-and-access-control.md) to change what an admin can access.
* Organization email templates. Use [Auto Emails](/guides/core-features/communication-tools/auto-emails.md) to edit or disable template-level automated emails.
* Admin email delivery configured in automated email templates.
* Another user's preferences. Each admin and each donor manages their own notification settings.
* SMS preferences.

### Related guides

* [Navigation](/guides/getting-started/navigation.md)
* [User Management](/guides/administration/user-management.md)
* [Permissions and Access Control](/guides/administration/permissions-and-access-control.md)
* [Auto Emails](/guides/core-features/communication-tools/auto-emails.md)


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