> 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/core-features/donor-management/add-donor.md). # Add Donor Use **Add Donor** when you need to create a donor record from the admin Donors page. The donor is created inside a specific donor profile/form view, so HelpYouSponsor knows which donor fields, communication options, and custom fields to use.

Select a specific donor profile or form view before adding a donor.

## Choose the Donor Profile First Open **Donors** from the sidebar, then choose the donor profile or donor form view that should store the new donor. **Add Donor** is disabled in the all-donors or total-donors view because those views combine records from more than one donor form. Select a specific donor form view, such as a sponsor profile or general fund donor view, before adding the record. ## Add the Donor 1. Open **Donors**. 2. Select the donor profile/form view you want to add the donor to. 3. Select **Add Donor**. 4. Choose whether the donor is an **Individual** or **Organization**. 5. Complete the required system fields. 6. Choose the communication options. 7. Complete any custom fields on the donor form. 8. Select **Submit**.

The Add Donor drawer starts with donor type, account fields, and standard donor information.

## Choose the Donor Type Use **Donor type** to decide whether the record represents a person or an organization. Individual donors use personal donor fields. Organization donors require an organization name and may show organization-specific fields when the donor form is configured that way. ## Complete Required Fields The fields you see depend on the donor form selected in the Donors view. Common requirements include: * **Username**: required and must be at least five characters. * **Email**: required unless the donor form allows donors without email addresses. * **Organization name**: required when the donor type is **Organization**. * **Standard donor fields**: shown when the donor form uses HelpYouSponsor's standard donor fields. * **Custom fields**: shown from the active donor form. Required custom fields must be completed before the donor can be submitted. Custom fields can also depend on donor type. If the selected donor type has no custom fields, HelpYouSponsor shows that no custom fields are configured for that donor type. ## Set Communication Options Use the communication section to decide what should happen after the donor is created.

Communication options and custom fields appear lower in the Add Donor drawer.

You can choose an email template or select **Don't send notification**. When you choose an email template, HelpYouSponsor creates a temporary password and emails the donor using that template. SMS opt-in appears when the donor form supports standardized SMS fields. If the form does not support those fields, the drawer explains that SMS opt-in is only available with standardized donor fields. If the account does not have the needed notification email sets available, the drawer may show setup guidance before you can add the donor. ## Change the Donor Form Fields Use **Manage Form Fields** only when you need to change the donor form itself.

Manage Form Fields opens the field-management drawer for the active donor form.

Changes made in **Manage Form Fields** affect the donor form for future records and other places that use that form. Use the Donors table column controls when you only want to change which fields are visible in your table view. ## Permissions Your role controls whether you can add donors, edit donor records, manage donor form fields, or send donor notifications. If an action is missing or disabled, your account may not have that permission or the current donor view may not support the action. ## Related Guides * [Donors Table](/guides/core-features/donor-management/donors-table.md) * [Donor Profile Page](/guides/core-features/donor-management/donor-profile-page.md) * [Donor Duplicate Detection](/guides/core-features/donor-management/donor-duplicate-detection.md) * [Household Table](/guides/core-features/donor-management/household-table.md) * [Program Forms](/guides/core-features/program-management/program-forms.md) * [Auto Emails](/guides/core-features/communication-tools/auto-emails.md)