Connecting to Stripe
Last updated August 5, 2026
Objective
Setting up your Stripe integration is the most critical step of the onboarding process. This connection allows your association to securely process payments for memberships, event registrations, and product sales directly through the Recur platform.
Key Steps
Step 1: Access Payment Settings
Navigate to the top right-hand corner of the Recur home screen.
Click on the Settings Cog icon.
Scroll down the sidebar menu and select Payments.
Step 2: Configure Your Stripe Connection
Depending on whether you already have a merchant account, choose one of the following:
If you DO NOT have a Stripe account: Click the direct link provided on the page to create a new account.
If you ALREADY have a Stripe account: Click the Integration Link to sign in and authorize Recur to connect to your existing account. This process typically takes only a few minutes.
Step 3: Set an Invoice Prefix
In the Invoice Prefix field, enter the text you want to appear at the beginning of every invoice number (e.g., "SPLA-" or "INV-"). This helps with your internal accounting and organization.
Step 4: Add a Processing Fee (Optional)
You can choose to pass along transaction costs to your members by setting a processing fee:
Flat Amount: Enter a specific dollar value to be added to every transaction (e.g., $2.00).
Percentage: Enter a percentage of the total transaction (e.g., 3%) to cover credit card processing rates.
Cautionary Notes
Onboarding Priority: Do not skip this step. Without a validated Stripe connection, your "Products" and "Events" will not be able to accept live payments.
Processing Fees: If you choose to add a processing fee, ensure your association's bylaws or local regulations allow for surcharging, as rules vary by region.
Tips for Efficiency
Quick Integration: Use the "Connect" link rather than setting up a manual API key; the direct integration is faster and more secure.
Accounting Sync: Choose an Invoice Prefix that matches your current bookkeeping software (like QuickBooks) to make year-end reconciliation much simpler.
Transaction Transparency: If you add a percentage-based fee, it will be automatically calculated and displayed to the member during the checkout process.