Learn six ways to use technology to simplify donations and increase your fundraising efficiency and effectiveness, from online platforms and mobile options to blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Technology can be a powerful tool for giving. If the tools are easy to use. It can be a link embedded in your website. Or a donate button at the bottom of your appeal. You can even leverage a QR code at events for folks to scan. To make the most of the technology. Make sure your: 1. Website is mobile optimized. 2. The donate button isn't buried. 3. The donor receives an automated message. 4. The fundraiser gets notified too and can follow up. Finally, leverage the power of peer to peer giving. And social media to raise awareness and ask others to help. To be clear tech is only a tool. A best practice is to remove the friction. Donors fall off if they have to jump through hoops to give.

How can you use technology to simplify donations?

Donations are the lifeblood of any fundraising campaign, but they can also be a hassle to collect, process, and track. How can you use technology to simplify donations and make them more accessible, convenient, and engaging for your donors? In this article, you'll learn about some of the tools and strategies that can help you streamline your donation process and increase your fundraising efficiency and effectiveness.

1 Online donation platforms

One of the most obvious ways to use technology to simplify donations is to use an online donation platform that allows you to create and manage your own fundraising website, accept donations through various payment methods, and automate receipts and thank-you messages. Online donation platforms can also help you collect and analyze data on your donors, such as their demographics, preferences, and behavior, which can help you tailor your communication and outreach strategies. Some examples of online donation platforms are Donorbox, Fundly, and Givebutter.

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Jenny Kleintop

Amplifier of Good • Fractional Philanthropy Ops • Leveling Up & Aligning Nonprofit Data, Database & Ops to Frontline Strategies • Working on AI Readiness • Lifelong Learner • Believer in Positivity, Uplifting, Community
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Online giving platforms have become a must-have for nonprofits as more and more donors are giving online. Careful though, not all online giving platforms are the same and many have popped up that may not truly be geared toward fundraising. Here's a few things to consider: - Talk to your peers, what are they using and ask them the pros/cons to them. - What is the donor experience (is it simple and streamlined as you don't want anything getting in the way when a donor chooses to give). - What is the experience for your staff (easy to understand, simple to use, and intutive to navigate?) - What is the recurring costs plus the per transaction costs (as sometimes it's high). - And the magical: how does it integrate with our fundraising CRM?

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Joel B.

Upgrading Your Fundraising Campaigns | Digital Marketing Manager at Ezy Raise
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To build upon Jenny's contribution, another thing to look for when researching an online donation platform is how well-serviced the product/platform is. Are they serving the nonprofits and donors by keeping on top of trends and providing new features, as well as basic fixes and optimisations of current elements?

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David Morin

Fundraising Leader | Board Member | Entrepreneur
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Switching your online fundraising platform is not as complicated as it sounds. In most cases, it doesn't mean switching CRMs or an expensive infrastructure project. There are several really good, modern fundraising platforms like GiveCloud or FundraiseUp that take a developer less than 30 minutes to configure the front end, and an administrator about 15 minutes to connect to your CRM. After that, it'll take time to configure your donation pages depending on the number of designations you have. But don't be afraid - changing to a better donation platform isn't as scary as your IT team has led you to believe.

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2 Mobile giving options

Another way to use technology to simplify donations is to offer mobile giving options that enable your donors to donate anytime, anywhere, using their smartphones or tablets. Mobile giving options can include text-to-give, QR codes, mobile apps, and mobile wallets. Mobile giving options can help you reach new and younger donors, increase impulse donations, and reduce friction and barriers in the donation process. Some examples of mobile giving options are Text2Donate, Givelify, and Venmo.

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3 Social media integration

A third way to use technology to simplify donations is to integrate your fundraising campaign with social media platforms that can help you spread the word, attract more donors, and create a sense of community and involvement. Social media integration can include creating and sharing compelling stories, videos, and images, using hashtags and keywords, encouraging user-generated content and peer-to-peer fundraising, and leveraging social media influencers and ambassadors. Some examples of social media platforms that can help you simplify donations are Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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4 Gamification and incentives

A fourth way to use technology to simplify donations is to use gamification and incentives that can help you motivate and reward your donors, increase their engagement and loyalty, and create a fun and memorable experience. Gamification and incentives can include setting and tracking goals and progress, creating challenges and competitions, offering badges and rewards, and providing feedback and recognition. Some examples of gamification and incentives that can help you simplify donations are Classy, Fundraise Up, and GiveGame.

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Joel B.

Upgrading Your Fundraising Campaigns | Digital Marketing Manager at Ezy Raise
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Gaming in general, facilitates the release of endorphins and dopamine. Endorphins are the ‘feel-good’ hormone, produced by our body to relieve pain and stress. Endorphins can be boosted when doing something that feels good, which is where gamification comes in. Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter, but it’s also a type of hormone. Dopamine is the ‘reward’ hormone. It gives you motivation, and gamification can result in an increase of dopamine for the fundraiser, and therefore increase their motivation to progress with their fundraising challenge. Introducing elements of gaming to your fundraising campaigns, through gamification, allows for fundraisers to experience the benefits of the release of these hormones and neurotransmitters.

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5 Artificial intelligence and chatbots

A fifth way to use technology to simplify donations is to use artificial intelligence and chatbots that can help you automate and personalize your communication and interaction with your donors, provide them with relevant information and assistance, and increase their trust and satisfaction. Artificial intelligence and chatbots can include using natural language processing, machine learning, and data analysis, creating conversational interfaces and voice assistants, and delivering customized messages and recommendations. Some examples of artificial intelligence and chatbots that can help you simplify donations are DonorPerfect, Giving Assistant, and Raisely.

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6 Blockchain and cryptocurrency

A sixth way to use technology to simplify donations is to use blockchain and cryptocurrency that can help you reduce transaction costs and risks, increase transparency and accountability, and tap into new and global markets. Blockchain and cryptocurrency can include using distributed ledger technology, smart contracts, and digital tokens, accepting and converting donations in various cryptocurrencies, and verifying and reporting your impact and outcomes. Some examples of blockchain and cryptocurrency that can help you simplify donations are BitGive, GiveCrypto, and The Giving Block.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Eldon Lewis

I help nonprofits raise money
(edited)
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Technology can be a powerful tool for giving. If the tools are easy to use. It can be a link embedded in your website. Or a donate button at the bottom of your appeal. You can even leverage a QR code at events for folks to scan. To make the most of the technology. Make sure your: 1. Website is mobile optimized. 2. The donate button isn't buried. 3. The donor receives an automated message. 4. The fundraiser gets notified too and can follow up. Finally, leverage the power of peer to peer giving. And social media to raise awareness and ask others to help. To be clear tech is only a tool. A best practice is to remove the friction. Donors fall off if they have to jump through hoops to give.

Like

How can you use technology to simplify donations?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Online donation platforms

2 Mobile giving options

3 Social media integration

4 Gamification and incentives

5 Artificial intelligence and chatbots

6 Blockchain and cryptocurrency

7 Here’s what else to consider

Fundraising

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How can you use technology to simplify donations?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Online donation platforms

2 Mobile giving options

3 Social media integration

4 Gamification and incentives

5 Artificial intelligence and chatbots

6 Blockchain and cryptocurrency

7 Here’s what else to consider

Fundraising

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