# Set up your sender domain

> Proving your domain so email from DonorCARE reaches inboxes instead of spam.

Source: https://donorcare.my/help/organizations/email/set-up-your-sender-domain/

**Who can do this:** Owner, Admin

Send DonorCARE email from your own domain instead of the shared `donorcare.my` address, so it lands in inboxes with your name on it.

## Before you start

- Every organization starts on Platform Default — mail sends from `donate@donorcare.my`, with replies routed to your own support email. This step is optional; you don't need it for anything to send.
- You'll need your own SendGrid account and an API key with Mail Send permission.

## Steps

1. **Open Integrations, then Email.**

2. **Under Email Provider, set Sending Method to Custom SendGrid API Key.** Paste your API key, then fill in Sender Email (required) and, optionally, Sender Name and Reply-To Email.

   *Screenshot: the Email Provider card set to Custom SendGrid API Key.*
3. **Select Save, then Send Test Email** to confirm your key actually works before you rely on it.

4. **A Domain Verification section now appears.** Enter your domain — root domain only, no `www` or `http://` — and select **Quick Setup**.

5. **DonorCARE generates 3 CNAME records.** Add each Host and Value into your DNS provider exactly as shown, using the copy buttons to avoid typos.

6. **Come back and select Verify DNS Records.** DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate, so a Pending badge right after saving is normal.

Once verified, you'll see "Domain verified — you're all set!" and the badge changes to Verified.

**Do**

- Know that mail keeps sending while you set this up — nothing is held back waiting for verification, including receipts.

**Don't**

- Assume an unverified domain blocks anything. It doesn't — DonorCARE sends from the Sender Email you entered even before it's verified, or from `donate@donorcare.my` if you haven't set one. Verifying is what proves to mail providers that you really own the domain, which is what keeps your mail out of spam.

## If something goes wrong

| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Still shows "Connected — Send a test email to verify" | Your API key saved, but you haven't sent a test yet | Select **Send Test Email** to confirm it works. |
| DNS records still show Pending after a day or two | A record wasn't copied exactly, or your DNS provider is proxying it | Recheck each Host and Value for typos. If you use Cloudflare, set the record to DNS only, not Proxied. |

## Related

- [Edit an automatic email](https://donorcare.my/help/organizations/email/edit-a-transactional-email/)
- [Send an email campaign](https://donorcare.my/help/organizations/email/send-an-email-campaign/)
- [Read email analytics](https://donorcare.my/help/organizations/email/read-email-analytics/)