# Expenses & Getting Paid – FAQs

### 💰 How does paying people work?

When someone wants to be paid, they submit an expense through your Collective's page. After approval by a Collective admin and by OCE, the person can be reimbursed via PayPal or bank transfer (we use Wise for bank payouts).

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**: Expenses are publicly visible for transparency. However, personal details such as names, emails, and addresses are only visible to the submitter and Collective administrators.
{% endhint %}

***

### 🧾 How do I get paid / reimbursed / receive my grant money?

Go to your initiative's page and click **“Submit Expense”**. You’ll need to log in (or create an account), then upload a valid receipt or invoice.

{% hint style="info" %}
[How to submit an expense – Open Collective Docs](https://docs.opencollective.com/help/expenses-and-getting-paid/submitting-expenses)
{% endhint %}

***

### 🧾 Invoice or Reimbursement – which one do I need?

* **Reimbursement**: Use this when you've paid out-of-pocket. A receipt is required (must include vendor name, address, and tax ID). Order confirmations are not valid receipts.
* **Invoice**: Use this when you're requesting payment for services. A formal invoice is required, including contact details, tax info, and description of services.

{% hint style="info" %}
[Invoices vs. Reimbursements – OCE Docs](https://docs.opencollective.com/oceurope/how-it-works/expenses/invoices-or-reimbursements)
{% endhint %}

***

### 🎁 Can I donate part of my Collective’s budget to a charity?

Yes. The beneficiary charity must submit an expense on your Collective's page and provide the following documents:

* A donation request letter signed by one of their administrators, stating the amount and purpose of the donation
* Their incorporation document
* Their bank identification details

{% hint style="danger" %}
Donations must be unconditional (no exchange of services). If a donation is made in exchange for something, it becomes a taxable payment.
{% endhint %}

***

### 🔒 Are receipts and invoices public?

Only general information (amount, description, purpose) is public. Uploaded documents (invoices, receipts) are private — visible only to the Collective’s admins and OCE staff.

***

### 📬 Need help?

If you need assistance with expenses or payments, just email us at <oce@opencollective.com>.