Five fundraising methods every charity should try

There will always be new ways to fundraise and new opportunities to discover. Take the growth of hybrid events, for example. Hybrid events have helped charities reach new audiences, become more inclusive, and source new streams of revenue. 

 

But what is the best way to collect those new donations? With some participants attending events remotely or online, fewer people carrying cash, and many wanting to donate in a Covid-secure way, it is now expected that charities provide cash-free and touch-free donation alternatives. 

 

In this article, we look at five ways that charities can collect donations and engage supporters at the same time, with particular focus on doing so during a hybrid event. Whatever event you choose to hold, there’s a solution out there to help you.  

 

First, let’s look at the technologies involved.  

 

QR codes 

 

You may be familiar with these little square boxes of smaller black squares – they’re used on everything from lateral flow tests to tables in the pub. Each individual QR code can be activated by a user scanning an image (the code) with their Camera App on their smartphone.  

 

Once activated, the code links the user to information relevant to the campaign – for charities this could be donation pages or links to videos about what you do.  

 

NFC touchpoints 

 

NFC (or Near Field Communication points are similar to QR codes, but instead of scanning a visual image, they work just by tapping your smartphone on them, in much the same way as Apple Pay and other contactless services.  

 

It’s quicker than scanning a QR code but requires close physical proximity to the touchpoint. 

  

 

Both QR code scanning and NFC are built into most smartphones. It’s good to offer both solutions where possible to give people a choice, depending on their situation. It’s also good to note that you can edit the experience they link to at any time, so you can give people different charity information at relevant times, before, during and after the event. 

 

Here are five different ways you can use this technology for your hybrid events.

 

 

1. Collection buckets  

 

The humble collection bucket can now be so much more with digital technology.  

 

Add a QR code to your bucket wrap or sticker for people who want to pay via smartphone – they will be able to scan the QR code and donate securely using their mobile wallet or card. It can take just seconds to donate, with no cash needed!

 

 

2. Charity wristbands 

 

Charity wristbands use NFC and QR code technology to link people who interact with them to relevant content, such as donation pages, event itineraries, and articles.  

 

For example, your charity might be holding a hybrid challenge event. Supporters taking part in a challenge remotely are likely to need more motivation compared to those who are participating in front of a crowd. Giving them a wristband to engage with whenever they need encouragement, like a video from your team cheering them on, is a lovely touch.   

 

You could also link the wristbands to a branded selfie experience – so they can take a picture complete with your logo and challenge event branding – and have participants post them on social media. This is an effective way of commending your supporters online whilst increasing awareness of your campaign. Plus, it’s free content for you!  

 

At events where staff or volunteers are present, giving them a wristband makes it easy to engage with in-person attendees and spectators. Most importantly, they can sweep the crowds and collect cashless donations without carrying a card terminal. In fact, you can make any item interactive such as a poster, pin-badge or lanyard. 

 

Remember: you can change what the wristband links to at any time – a donation link can be easily switched to a video thanking people for their participation once the event is over.

 

 

3. Collectable trail packs 

 

Collectable trail packs are like scavenger hunts but instead of collecting treasures, you collect virtual ones by following the QR codes.  

 

Charities can set up several QR codes which each link to a different collectable image. Once participants have found all the QR codes and collected all the images, they get the link to the final experience of the event – whether that’s a video congratulating them, a winner’s badge, or a link to collect a prize. 

 

Charities can use templates to create their trail and email helpful packs of QR codes to remote participants to print out themselves so they can hold a DIY collectable trail locally. It’s cost-effective and there’s guidance here for anyone unsure about printing out QR codes physically.  

 

You can also host an online collectable trail, hiding QR codes on pages of your website. This encourages people to explore your site and likewise creates a fun activity through which they can donate to your charity.

 

 

4. Social media 

 

For every QR code you create, you also create a unique URL linking through to the same endpoint. You can use these links online to engage your virtual audience, sharing them on social media and in livestream chats so that everyone can join in, even if unable to scan the code. You can see this in action at the bottom of this article. 

 

For example, if hosting a raffle, you could use a QR code to collect instant entries with marketing opt-in during an event. Share the QR code link online so that your virtual audience don’t have to miss out.  

 

The same goes when collecting donations, sharing a video or telling a story, or even holding a collectable trail. Post the URL links in your social posts, encouraging people to find the right links to the collectable image.  This encourages interaction with your feed and can further engage your online audience.

 

 

5. Smart video calls 

 

Streaming an event to online audiences is one way to make it hybrid. And what’s more – it presents another opportunity for people to donate! 

 

We’ve all become familiar with a Zoom background – why not create one with a handy QR code in the corner that people can scan at home? They can access more information about what your charity does, sign up for future events, or even – crucially – donate. 

 

Make sure the QR code is super visible and point it out to people during the event. Include some exciting content to make people want to scan in the moment. And, above all, put the code in a convenient place on the background so that it won’t be obscured in the video call by a floating head or interrupting cat. There’s nothing worse than trying to do something good and being prevented by a fluffy tail getting in the way.  

 

Ultimately, when it comes to fundraising at hybrid events, the most important thing you can do is to be exactly where your audiences are – everywhere.