The simplest way to collect contactless donations

In late 2024, it’s become clear that we are living in an increasingly cashless society. Once understood as the preferred payment method for younger demographics, contactless payments are now far more common among all demographics. Research has shown that, in 2023, 83% of people of retirement age made a contactless payment at least once a month, only eight percentage points less than their younger counterparts aged 25-34.  

For charities, this requires innovation in how they fundraise. Fundraising platform Give as you Live points to research revealing that fewer than 12% of donations made in the UK are made with cash, demonstrating the need for charities to embrace contactless given the way payments are being made elsewhere. 

Indeed, the traditional fundraising bucket alone doesn’t cut it anymore when so few people carry cash but still want to donate. Providing people with multiple options to suit their needs is the key to driving as many donations as possible to support your mission. 

The benefits of processing cashless donations are many, not least the amount likely to be donated. Digital donations tend to be higher than those made in person – buckets are more likely to collect coins than notes, for example, while the suggested amount on a contactless payment device is likely at least £5 or more.  

But with such a wide variety of contactless payment solutions, each with their own technology, card readers, and fees, it can be difficult for charities to sort the wood from the trees. Contactless payment solutions that work for businesses do not always suit the needs of charities and particularly not their staff and volunteers on the ground at busy fundraising events. 

Fortunately, charities don’t have to innovate alone. With the right fundraising partners, charities can uncover modern solutions to boost their digital fundraising efforts, even when fundraising in person.  In this article, we look at one of the newest innovations on the block that allows charities and fundraisers to process contactless donations through an app on their smartphone. 

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Collecting contactless donations by phone 

Juggling a fundraising bucket, a cumbersome contactless payment device, and trying to talk to supporters at a fundraising event is no mean feat. But Give as you Live’s Tap to Donate app allows fundraisers to accept contactless donations through their phone via their free Tap to Donate app, without the need for a clunky payment terminal.  

All fundraisers need is a smartphone and an internet connection, making the app a super flexible option for all types of fundraising events, whether it’s a Christmas gift-wrapping service, a bake sale, or a marathon.  

To use the Tap to Donate app, charities need to register with Give as you Live and create an app PIN. This PIN can be shared with staff and volunteers, allowing them to take donations right away, without needing to access the charity’s admin account. Donors select their donation amount (with the option to add Gift Aid) and make their contactless payment via card or digital wallet. 

 Working with all the major payment methods, including cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, the Tap to Donate app can also collect and process donor data securely, making it easier for charities to optimise their fundraising, such as uncovering the places with the most likely donors based on previous behaviour.  

One of the biggest benefits of the app is its ability to increase the amount of people who can fundraise for you. More people can set up stalls and events to raise money for your charity, knowing that they have an easy way to process contactless  donations. It’s safer – there’s no cash to handle or pay in, and you don’t need change  – and, simply put, allows more people to donate, even if they’re not carrying cash. Easy peasy. 

Click here to find out more about the Tap to Donate app from Give as you Live