Direct Debit Mandates

Mandates are a notice of authorization from the payer to debit their bank account based on the payment schedule or terms presented. The mandate defines payment terms, such as the schedule, account information, and amount. While requirements vary based on currency, mandates apply to both one-time and recurring payments.

Tip: In some Blackbaud solutions, you can send a pre-notification email or recurring gift reminder to alert the payer that their account will be debited soon. Blackbaud Merchant Services doesn't automatically send pre-notification emails — unlike mandates, pre-notification emails are optional.

USD: Automated Clearing House (ACH) mandates

To meet requirements from Nacha, during checkout, the payment form displays a custom online mandate for one-time and recurring ACH payments.

CAD: Pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreements

To meet the requirements from Payments Canada, during checkout, the payment form displays a custom online mandate (or PAD agreement) for one-time and recurring payments.

When a payer pays with Canadian direct debit through your form, Blackbaud Merchant Services:

  1. Collects acceptance of the mandate.

  2. Sends a copy of the agreement to the payer, which includes both English and French translations.

From the Blackbaud Merchant Services Web Portal, you can view a copy of the agreement that was shown to the payer. From a direct debit transaction record, under Transaction info, select View pre-authorized debit agreement.

Note: If an account holder makes changes to a recurring gift online, Blackbaud displays a new mandate.