QR Codes for Donations: Why Should Charities Use Them for Fundraising

Non-profit organisations from around the globe strive to secure funding and financial support from various sources. While some may receive government grants or corporate donations, many charities rely heavily on the generosity of individual donors. Though it may appear simple on the surface, fundraising can be a complex endeavour, particularly for those just starting out.

In light of this, charities seek out a range of strategies to enhance their fundraising efforts. One popular tactic is hosting charity events. However, as the number of events that a charity can host is often limited, many focus on expanding their base of individual recurring donors to drive long-term success.

If you frequently visit our blog, you may have noticed how often we talk about the importance of facilitating different payment methods for potential donors.  

However, the inconvenience of having to take out our wallets and manually enter credit card information into the charity checkout often impedes our willingness to support a non-profit organisation. This is unfortunate, as it can result in a significant loss of potential financial support. 

Luckily, there are ways to convert individuals interested in becoming a supporter of your charity into paying donors, even if they come across your campaigns while on the go. In this article, we look into QR codes for donations and how to leverage them. 

What are QR codes for donations?

Quick Response codes are a technology that has made it easier than ever to quickly access the content of our interest, or when it comes to QR codes printed by charities, donate to the causes we care about. This can be done by redirecting users to a fundraising campaign, platform or checkout.

These simple, two-dimensional barcodes have been around since 1994 and can be scanned with a smartphone or other electronic device. According to LXA, 86.6% of UK and European smartphone users have scanned a QR code at least once in their life! In other words, QR codes are very accessible and they make the donation process faster, more comfortable, and more secure for both donors and charities.

By using QR codes for donations, organisations can reach a broader audience and increase their income as they can be used to process donations of any amount, whether you’re able to make a small one-time donation or a larger recurring contribution. 

How to set up QR codes for donations?

If you're looking to set up QR codes for donations and fundraising activities, you will find that there is a wide range of solutions available online. However, it's important to ensure that the solution you opt for is 100% secure and trustworthy. 

At Waytobill, we offer a QR code checkout solution for charities and NGOs looking to convert donors via posters, leaflets, letters or other printable marketing resources. By choosing our payment solutions, for example, Digital Autogiro for recurring payments, non-profit organisations can significantly increase their fundraising. Apart from being printed, Waytobill's secure QR codes can also be displayed on your field sales team's tablets, making it easier for prospects to donate, while also minimising the environmental impact of printed materials. 

The benefits of using QR codes for donations and fundraising

1. QR codes bring convenience to donors

Whether we're on a school run, commuting, or grocery shopping, we're most likely in a rush. That is why charity posters, billboards and campaign leaflets are not always as effective as charities hope for. As busy individuals, we don’t have the time to take action on the spot. And that is where QR codes come into action. 

If you’re looking to target individuals who are on the go and don’t have time to fill out a form or go through a lengthy checkout process, incorporating QR codes into your fundraising materials, for example, leaflets and posters, can take your funding through the roof by reaching a wider audience! By scanning a QR code, potential donors can open up your campaign’s landing page, fundraising platform or checkout and take a look at it right from their mobile phones. Additionally, for those interested to donate there and then, instead of having to type out lengthy web addresses or search for a specific page, donors can scan the code with their phone and be redirected to the donation page. By saving users time and making the donation process seamless, you increase the likelihood of potential donors making a donation. 

2. Convert more prospects into paying donors by adding QR codes to sales letters

Many non-profit organisations use sales letters to solicit donations from individuals or organisations. This traditional communication method is a superb way to reconnect with your charity supporters or groups that have shown some interest in the charity’s cause. Physical letters received through the mailbox reinforce relationships with the audience and generate a feeling of belonging, hence their popularity and success. 

Charity sales letters typically provide detailed information about the organisation, its specific campaign or initiatives the charity is currently working on, and the impact the donation would have on the campaign. The typical letters sent out by charities come accompanied by a payment slip, while some provide bank account details for those that prefer to make a transfer. But as we’ve already mentioned, our busy lifestyles don’t always allow us to proceed with such payments. Now take a look at the following image. 

Here’s an example of a sales letter that can be designed and sent out by any NGO. Take a look at how this non-profit organisation inserted a QR code into the letter, instead of providing a standard payment slip. By scanning the code, the potential donor is redirected to the charity’s checkout, in which they can choose the amount they want to donate and their preferred payment method (which can be recurring!).

The best thing about adding QR codes to sales letters is that they can be personalised so after scanning the code, users don’t even have to fill out their personal information! Our partner 21grams provides the service of printing personalised QR codes on your letters. Make sure to get in touch with them if you’re looking for a seamless solution!

Did you know that donors can sign up for monthly donations by scanning a QR code? All they have to do is choose Digital Autogiro as their preferred payment method! 

3. QR codes for charities: targeted giving at events

QR codes can be also used to make donations to a specific cause or campaign. You may find that people are sometimes reluctant to become new supporters of a non-profit organisation. However, it’s sometimes easier to convert monthly supporters when a specific campaign resonates with them. 

Here’s an example of a leaflet or poster any charity can use for their events, field fundraising or other initiatives. By printing posters with QR codes you get to present different campaigns you’re working on and therefore increase your chances of converting more supporters for your non-profit. 

4. QR codes for donations provide more security

QR codes can provide security for charity donations by allowing for secure and fast transactions. They can be scanned by a smartphone camera, which then directs the user to a secure online donation form. This eliminates the need to enter sensitive information, such as credit card details, reducing the risk of data breaches and fraud.

This also applies to street donations, when potential donors must share their personal details with complete strangers. Instead, the promoters and volunteers can show a QR code that interested individuals scan with their mobile phones. They can proceed with the donation there and then, or complete it at their own convenience. Apart from streamlining the donation process and increasing the security of transactions, charities opting for this solution generate more trust within their audience due to transparency. 

Keen to find out more? Discover more benefits of using QR codes for payments and donations. 

Overall, the use of QR codes for donations can provide many benefits for both donors and charities. They offer a convenient, secure, and flexible way to give back to the causes you care about. 

At Waytobill, we provide charities with secure payment solutions for all sales channels, including telesales. Our QR codes open branded checkouts pre-filled with donors’ personal information, ready to complete one-off payments or sign up for monthly donations. 

We hope that you now have a better understanding of how charities can use QR codes for their fundraising actions. Make sure to contact us in case of any questions or if you want to incorporate QR codes into your fundraising strategy.