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How to Connect Crowded as a Payout Account

  • Read time: 4 min

Use this guide to route deposits from any fundraising or payment platform (Givebutter, Stripe, Square, Zeffy, Wix, Squarespace, and others) directly into your Crowded account. The process is pretty similar across platforms. The key is connecting Crowded to wherever that platform asks for a payout or bank destination.

Step 1: Check Available Connection Methods

Some platforms allow for linking bank accounts* via Plaid, while others may allow via manual linking. Check the payout/bank setup on your platform to see which applies.

Plaid Lookup: If the other platform is connected to Plaid, you’re in luck because Crowded is on the Plaid network. Link Crowded directly by logging in to Crowded as you would regularly — no account or routing numbers needed, and the platform doesn’t see your sensitive information.

Manual Entry: This option works across the board. All that is required is your Crowded account and routing numbers. 

Option A: Connect via Plaid

  1. On the platform’s payout/bank setup screen, choose Connect your bank (or similar) — this opens the Plaid window.
  2. Verify your phone number with Plaid
  3. Search for Crowded in Plaid, and you will see the Crowded option, with the Crowded blue logo and crowdedfinance.com written underneath.
  4. Click on Crowded and follow the steps for verification.
  5. Log in to Crowded with your phone number inside the Plaid window. 
  6. Select the correct account if more than one is listed.
  7. Approve the connection.

Option B: Manual Entry

Find your account and routing numbers in Crowded

  1. Log in to Crowded here
  2. Click on Accounts on the sidebar, and then click on the Primary Checking Account
  3. There, under Account Details, you’ll see
    • Account Number
    • Account Name
    • Routing Number
  4. Copy the name and numbers exactly as shown by clicking the copy symbol and paste it into the corresponding fields
  5. If the platform asks for account type, select “Checking”

Tip: Keep this window open in one tab while you set up the payout method on your other platform — you’ll be copying and pasting between the two.

Step 2: Verify the Connection

  • Connected via Plaid (Option A): The verification is instant. The account should show as verified or active immediately, with no further steps.
  • Connected manually (Option B): The platform will send one or two small test deposits to your Crowded account (usually within 1–2 business days). Once they arrive, you’ll enter the exact amounts back on the platform to confirm the connection. Check your Crowded Transactions tab. They’ll usually show up as small, oddly specific amounts (e.g., $0.14). 

Troubleshooting

  • Crowded doesn’t appear in the Plaid search — Try restarting, and if it still doesn’t show, fall back to the manual entry option.
  • “Invalid routing number” — re-check for extra spaces or dashes copied along with the number.
  • “Name mismatch” or verification failure (Option B) — the account holder name entered doesn’t exactly match Crowded’s records. Use your organization’s full legal name, not a nickname or abbreviation.
  • Micro-deposits never arrive (Option B) — confirm the account number was entered correctly and check back after 2–3 business days before contacting support.

A Note on Security

Only enter your Crowded login or account and routing numbers into a platform you trust and are actively signed into. Crowded will never call, text, or email you asking you to share these details directly.

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