Using Fundraising Devices during a Cost of Living Crisis

For charities an economy in recession is usually bad news.

Trends show donations typically fall - and this coupled with Cost of Living and Energy crises is ringing alarm bells across the whole Third Sector.

It's not difficult to see why generating income & financial stability are among the top challenges for charity leaders right now, when they expect extra demand on services, as well as higher running costs due to rising utilities costs, and managing wage increases.

Public polling by CAF shows 6 in 10 people were planning to cut back on discretionary spending in 2022.

Which begs the question, how will this translate into donor behaviours in the coming year, as disposable income is squeezed and people manage an expected drop in living standards?

The Charity Commission highlights that communicating how donations are being spent will be key to holding onto the trust of supporters, and think tanks like NPC suggest reviewing expenditure, service delivery collaborations and prioritising fundraising activities that have the biggest impact.

So when it comes to fundraising devices, how can charities tackle these challenges, to help narrow the inevitable Funding Gap?

Digital Fundraising and the Cost of Living Crisis: optimising your approach

There are a few immediate steps to ensuring you're getting the most from any digital fundraising devices and channels:

• Check how much you're asking for

  Take a look at your average donation amount - there is growing evidence that using a contactless device like the Donation Station will deliver more than a typical cash donation

Are your devices asking for a single amount?
Could you add more donation options to allow people to give more?

• Are you explaining the impact of donations?

  If donor numbers drop in the coming months, when someone has made the decision to give, are you making it obvious how much you need to meet your service users needs?
  
  Impact driven messaging is important to asking for donations.
  
  

• Connect up your communications with data

  Are there any trends you can identify in your donation reports, that show how donor behaviours might be changing on both devices and online giving platforms?

• Ask for Gift Aid

  Always include Gift Aid, which increases the value of donations by 25%

  Add the question to your donation devices if you can:

  If you're worried about extending the donation journey through your device, it's worth testing the experience & see how income differs. And then study the data.

  Donation Stations can offer different journeys on the same device - or if you've got multiple devices, consider adding a longer journey with Gift Aid on one device, and another quick donation journey on another.

  Tell everyone about it!

  Explain what Gift Aid is to your supporters

  Brief your teams so they know it's value to your fundraising overall, and how they can explain it to donors.

  Add messaging to any branding (and make it about impact again), change the screen messages, making some permanent or temporary posters or displays at entrances & next to your device.

  Choose places where it's guaranteed to be seen.

Find out about the Donation Station

We have lots of information about how our contactless fundraising devices can be used to improve your income. 

Adding Gift Aid to a Donation Station

5 Tips for getting more Gift Aid with a Donation Station

Helping Charities with Digital Fundraising Devices

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