QR Codes for Contactless Donations: A Practical Guide for Charities

A QR code is essentially a URL (web link) that users can easily scan with their smartphone camera to go directly to the web link without typing in the address. This convenience makes QR codes an excellent tool for driving donations quickly and efficiently.

The Give A Little platform not only facilitates contactless and Chip+PIN donations but also allows you to create unlimited web campaigns quickly and at no additional cost.  Just like your app campaigns, you can also track the income for your QR codes within the charity reporting section of your Give A Little account.

QR codes have no upfront cost as they don’t require any hardware, you just need to print them!  And they can be used in places where you can’t physically be like the Jersey Poppy Appeal does every year - read their case study

Using QR codes alongside your contactless fundraising devices is a way of increasing your reach with no additional cost. For example, printing them on name badges and menus at a gala dinner - giving potential donors the opportunity to donate without leaving their seats, and when they speak to staff and volunteers. 

Each Give A Little web campaign you create comes with a QR code that you can easily download and use on your printed materials.

Give A Little makes it simple to share your QR code for donations. Once you’ve published your web campaign, you’ll find a convenient ‘share’ feature. Here’s how you can share your campaign:

• Copy the URL
  : Share the web address wherever you like including on social media posts or via a donate button on your website

• Download the QR Code
  : Ideal for printing on posters, flyers, or other materials.

• Post a Link
  : Share directly on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to reach a wider audience.

Using Give A Little QR codes as opposed to using QR codes directing donors to your charity website potentially bypasses complicated and frustrating forms and gives a more streamlined and simple donation journey.  Both Give A Little payment processors (SumUp and Stripe) offer the added benefit of digital wallet (Apple Pay and Google Pay) donations. A much smoother and faster experience, which is good for you and the donor!

The adoption of QR codes in fundraising is growing rapidly -

• QR code usage in the UK increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a rise in contactless solutions.

• A 2020 report by YouGov revealed that nearly half of the UK population has scanned a QR code at least once, and 18% do so regularly.

• According to the Payment Systems Regulator, the use of contactless payments, including QR codes, increased by 12% in the UK in 2021.

Here are some effective ways to incorporate QR codes into your fundraising:

• Event Posters and Flyers
  : Add a QR code to your event materials so attendees can donate on the spot/in the moment.

• Printed Newsletters/Mailings
  : Include a QR code in your newsletters to make it easy for recipients to donate having read your charity updates and appeals.

• Merchandise
  : Print QR codes on t-shirts, mugs, or other merchandise items that supporters can buy and showcase. Charity Christmas cards are a great use of QR codes for donations.

• Community Spaces
  : Place posters with QR codes in community centres, cafes, and shops where people can easily scan and donate.

• Corporate Partners and Local offices/businesses
  : Create co-branded posters to be hosted in corporate partner or local business offices.

• Virtual Events
  : During online webinars or live streams, display a QR code on the screen to encourage viewers to donate in real-time.

• Name Badges
  : Add QR codes to name badges of staff and volunteers at events - when they are having inspiring and emotive conversations about your charity, people can then donate easily.

When using QR codes, make sure you market them well. Tell people in the text around them what they are for - e.g. “Scan the QR code to donate” This may sound obvious, but many people will be wary to scan a QR code when they don't know what it will ‘do’. So tell them upfront, and then when they scan and see the familiar charity branding on your Give A Little campaign, they will have the confidence to give, knowing that the donation is genuine. 

Also, when using QR codes ‘unmanned’ - e.g. Not being hosted by a staff member or volunteer try to add them in the original print rather than using stickers. Again, this gives the donor confidence that the QR code donation is genuine. 

QR codes to donate are perfect for engaging all audiences. With a quick scan, people can donate to your cause in seconds. 

• Simple donor journey

• Charity branding

• Donate via digital wallet

• Create unlimited campaigns

• Affordable

• Display up to 6 donation amounts and a ‘choose your own amount’

• Recurring donations

Give QR codes a try! If you don't already have one, start fundraising now by creating your Give A Little Account here: https://givealittle.co/