Donation Process | How nonprofits accept donations continues to evolve with emerging technology and societal preferences. Going paperless can concurrently enhance an organization’s donation opportunities to fit better with constituent needs and increase funding.
Eliminating the need for paper and converting to cloud-based donation management software may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, more people today than ever before are relying on technology to maintain daily routines, monitor finances, and keep up with loved ones. Making donations to nonprofit organizations can easily join this group.
Mobile donation process
Today, roughly half of all Americans own smartphones, according to the Nonprofit Technology Network. It’s worth noting that 79 percent of these smartphone users read an email from their devices. This is a higher percentage than those who use their mobile devices for phone calls. If nonprofits are using email as a marketing and fundraising tool, their constituents are likely reading these calls to action on their mobile phones.
Between 2012 and 2013, the average number of mobile web donations increased by 205 percent. Artez Interactive discovered through their study of over 80,000 participants in a variety of campaigns that 30 percent of all traffic on fundraising websites came from mobile devices. Plus, participants who chose mobile technology as a means to promote and raise awareness for their cause raised 2.95 times more than those opting out of mobile.
As apps designed to improve the mobile donation process emerge, these numbers can only increase over time. To make it simpler for donors to give, nonprofits should harness the power of mobile donations and ensure their websites and giving pages are adapted for mobile technology.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is another online tool that requires only an Internet connection to give. Countless campaign websites designed for specific causes have popped up on various platforms over the past few years. On average, Fundable reported that successful crowdfunding projects raise $7,000 and the last nine weeks. They reach a wide scope of contributors, as crowdfunding pages are shared frequently across social media channels and mobile devices.
According to the American Dream Composite Index, contributors between the ages of 24 and 35 are the most likely givers to crowdfunding opportunities. While this may seem like a small bracket of the population, it’s important to appreciate that these young funders are making crucial financial decisions that may impact the rest of their lives. If they start contributing to a cause now, donor management software can help them set up recurring gifts or keep them informed on future events.
Paperless route
Donor management software can dramatically improve a nonprofit’s operations when it comes to expanding donation opportunities for a technologically advanced giving base. As more smartphone users rely on their mobile devices for communication via email, the need for paper donation forms and newsletters will decrease. This not only saves money but also saves time. Financial gifts can be processed faster and sent in minutes, giving constituents more flexibility. It’s an outstanding tool that every NPO should implement.
