Setting Up Your DNS Records with CloudFlare

This article explains how to add DNS records for email domains hosted by CloudFlare, allowing Double the Donation emails to be sent from your organization's email domain.

Step #1: Complete the CNAME Setup

Step #2: Complete the DMARC Setup

Troubleshooting CNAME records 

When your Double the Donation account is created, we default to sending emails from a Double the Donation email address. You can give Double the Donation's platform permission to send emails on your behalf by adding a few new records in your DNS.

Step #1: Complete the CNAME Setup

How to Add CNAME Records in CloudFlare

1. Log in to your CloudFlare account
   Use this link to access your CloudFlare account.

   

2. Select Your Domain
   From the Home page, select the domain you will use to send emails via your Double the Donation account.

   

3. Navigate to DNS Settings
   In the left-side panel, select DNS → Records to manage your DNS settings.

   

Adding the First CNAME Record

1. Click “+ Add Record”
   In the DNS Records section, click the + Add record button to create a new record.

   

2. Fill in the Fields for your first CNAME record:

   • Type: Select CNAME.

   • Name: Enter the Hostname from your Double the Donation account and replace your domain name with "@".

   • Target: Enter the "Value Should Be" from your Double the Donation account.

   • Proxy Status: Set to Off.

   • TTL: Select Automatic.

3. Click “Save”
   After filling in the fields, click Save to store the new record.

   

4. Repeat for Other CNAME Records
   Follow the same steps to add the other two CNAME records. CNAME records may take up to 48 hours to propagate, so please allow this time before checking the Validate Domain button in your Double the Donation account.

Note: If you received an error saying Invalid Hostname for Name Field, usually, when using Floodlight, you should copy and enter the full Hostname from your Double the Donation account:

Step #2: Complete the DMARC Setup

Check for Existing DMARC Record

1. In your DNS Settings, review the list of records already added.
   If a DMARC TXT record already exists, you’re done! Double the Donation will automatically identify the DMARC record, and you can skip to validation.

   

2. If No DMARC TXT Record Exists
   Proceed with the following steps to add a DMARC TXT record.

Adding a DMARC TXT Record

1. Click “+ Add Record”
   In the DNS Records section, click the + Add record button.

   

2. Fill in the Fields for the DMARC record:

   • Type: Select TXT.

   • Name: Enter the Hostname from your Double the Donation account and replace your domain name with "@".

   • Content: Enter the “Value Should Be” from your Double the Donation account.

   • TTL: Select Automatic.

3. Click “Save”
   Once the fields are filled out, click Save.

   

Note: If you received an error saying Invalid Hostname for Name Field, usually, when using Floodlight, you should copy and enter the full Hostname from your Double the Donation account:

Troubleshooting CNAME Records

If your DNS records have not propagated or are still showing a CNAME Not Found error, try the following:

• Wait 24-48 hours for propagation.

• Ensure all records are added: If only some records are valid, check that all three CNAME records are present.

• Check for typos: Ensure that CNAME records are copied and pasted directly from your Double the Donation account to avoid errors. Avoid manually typing from screenshots, which can lead to typos.

• Correct Domain: Ensure CNAMEs are added to the correct domain (e.g., if your Double the Donation account uses matchinggifts@catrescueclub.org, the CNAME should not be added to the catrescueclub.com domain).