Direct Debit Agreements

Direct debit agreements, or mandates, are a notice of authorization from the payer to debit their bank account based on the payment schedule or terms presented. The agreement defines payment terms, such as the schedule, account information, and amount. While requirements vary based on currency, agreements 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 direct debit agreements, 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.

AUD: Direct Debit Requests (DDRs)

When organizations enable direct debit on a form, they can process a direct debit request (DDR) from an Australian bank account, collect acceptance of the mandate, and send a copy of the agreement to the payer.

GBP: Direct Debit Instruction (DDIs)

When organizations enable direct debit on a form, they can process a direct debit instruction (DDI) from a bank account based in the UK, collect acceptance of the mandate, and send a copy of the agreement to the payer.