A purr-fect match: Why Milton Keynes Cat Rescue chose Give A Little for cashless giving

The search for a single platform

Stuart knew the charity needed to modernise, but he didn't want to juggle multiple complicated systems.

"We had no online donation methods and no way of collecting card donations when we were out and about. I wanted something that did both - handset and online integration. Managing a single platform rather than a card platform and an online platform simplified everything from my perspective.”

As a volunteer, Stuart’s time is a precious resource. He needed a solution that was low maintenance and, crucially, didn't require a "15-to-20-page manual" to hand over to other volunteers.

The challenge: Finding technology that just works

Before finding Give A Little, the charity struggled with a fragmented system. Relying on a combination of PayPal and an older donated handset was becoming a headache. 

The solution: Give A Little - a seamless digital ecosystem

To bridge the gap between physical and digital giving, Milton Keynes Cat Rescue adopted a hybrid approach using the Give A Little platform.

1. Integrated online giving

Stuart was able to bring the charity into the digital age by embedding a Give A Little web campaign directly into the Milton Keynes Cat Rescue website using an iframe. This provides a consistent, professional experience for supporters who prefer to give a one-off or monthly donation via the charity’s website .

2. The Stripe S710 Reader

For face-to-face events, Milton Keynes Cat Rescue became the first charity in the Give A Little community to adopt the new Stripe S710 Reader. This device represents a significant leap forward from the popular S700; while previous models relied on secure Wi-Fi or offline modes, the S710 includes optional full cellular (SIM) capability.

3. Effortless volunteer management

The S710 is an all-in-one card reader that is locked securely to the Give A Little app. This setup removes the technical overhead for the charity’s volunteers:

• Automatic updates:
  The device updates itself remotely via the platform.

• No password fatigue:
  It stays logged into the campaign, meaning volunteers don't need to remember credentials or navigate complex menus.

• Gift Aid and monthly giving:
  Crucially, the platform captures Gift Aid declarations and allows for recurring monthly donations, giving charities the ability to turn one-off event visitors into long-term supporters.

"It looks after itself," Stuart notes. "If there's an update pushed out by Give A Little or Stripe, it does it itself. I don't have to baby it, and the volunteers don't need to think about it."

The results: A "no-brainer" for growth

The impact of signing up to Give A Little was immediate. At a recent Saturday event, the charity took £350 - and 25% of that came through the S710

"That’s 25% more money that we simply wouldn't have had this time last year. For a small charity, the £90 annual cost for the Give A Little Premium subscription is an absolute no-brainer - for the amount of value you get, it’s huge! It’s essentially the equivalent of two pints of beer a month for a platform that raised us £3,500 in 15 months."

Why Stuart recommends Give A Little

Beyond the technology, Stuart values the personal service and the security that comes with a charity focused platform like Give A Little:

• Governance:
  Unlike PayPal accounts that can become inaccessible if a volunteer leaves, Give A Little is "trustee-friendly."

• Personal support:
  "Give A Little feels more personal and that makes a real difference. I know if I’m sending an email to support, it’s going to a handful of people who know us, not a massive support desk network."

• Volunteer confidence:
  "Our donors use Amazon and are used to paying with their phones. Having the tools to deliver what donors expect reduces barriers. It shows we are a modern charity."

Stuart’s final word

"Give A Little would be my platform of choice for recommending donation collection to any charity. I like that it’s UK based and includes Gift Aid compliance and reports. It is just so easy to manage - it’s not 'scary' tech. It hits the right spot."