From cash to contactless
Many churches have already adopted contactless solutions in a bid to capture card donations in a time where cash donations have declined. But the transition from cash to contactless isn’t always a simple one; contactless donation devices are not a direct replacement for cash collections and therefore shouldn’t be treated as such.
That’s why knowing what your church needs from contactless is key.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do you have consistent or high footfall?
- Do you receive a lot of visitors?
- What level of technical support would you need?
- Where would you place the device?
- Does it need to be portable?
- Will visitors notice the device?
- How am I going to get the best return on investment?
- How will it be connected to power & internet?
Common barriers to contactless success
We have seen, from supporting hundreds of churches across the UK, that there are three main barriers to contactless success:
Lack of device visibility
Something that might seem obvious, but can have a huge impact, is whether your device can be seen easily. If you have a large site, more than one device might be needed. Visitors can’t donate if they can’t find where to donate.
Cheap solutions that don’t last
Many churches feel that they should start small, with an inexpensive, card reader-type device. These solutions are not purpose-built for fundraisers and tend to fail within 2 years of purchasing, meaning you will need to source a replacement.
Lack of digital skills
The wide range of demographics found in churches shows just how challenging it can be to find a solution that works for all, regardless of digital ability. If you know you’ll need hands-on support, make sure it’s included within your contract.
How do you maximise device visibility?
- Use the branding opportunities available to you to create impactful signs that capture attention.
- Make sure your device is easily recognisable as a donation point.
- Place the device is an area with high footfall and/or dwell time.
- The bigger the device, the more visibility!
- The more devices, the more visibility!
How do you ensure your solutions last?
- Consider all types of providers but most importantly, consider the providers that work directly with fundraisers.
- Look at your warranty options to ensure that if any hardware does fail, it’s covered by your provider.
- Research solutions as best as you can. Look at customer reviews, how long does the solution typically last?
How do you overcome the digital skill barrier?
- Look for a provider that offers expert support and who has experience working with churches.
- Use their support team as an extension of yours.
- Train your staff to promote and use your device effectively.
- Find solutions that are built for fundraisers and can be used easily by all.
Church fundraising ideas
So, you’ve identified what your church needs, now you should consider how the devices will be used.
Despite being able to rely somewhat on congregational giving and one-off visitor support, there are many other opportunities within a church setting that can lend themselves to capturing donations. Opportunities that we don’t want you to miss out on.
a. Card reader: A small-scale, portable card reader for ad-hoc payments in the back office or on the go e.g. weddings and funerals. Ideally the device is built specifically for fundraising instead of being something used for commercial transactions.
b. Tap & Go device: Small and simple, this device continually pulls for the same donation amount. Ideal for times when speed is important or a set amount is suggested e.g. votive candles.
c. Secure countertop device: Great for churches that don’t have volunteers around all the time, such as a rural church on a walking route. This ensures you can capture passive income while keeping your device secure.
d. Freestanding device: A large-scale premium device with maximal branding opportunities. Perfect for larger sites such as cathedrals, as they are highly visible in order to capture the attention of passers-by.
e. Wall mounted device: Perfect for when space is at a premium or the donation ask is part of a wall display. These devices work well in entryways as a means to capture support upon someone’s entrance or exit.
f. Portable device: For churches that may want to fundraise in different locations e.g. a church fate held in the parish grounds. These tend to be lightweight, quick to use, with the ability to work offline.
Other contactless considerations
As well as collecting donations, some contactless devices have added benefits. Using these features where appropriate can help to boost income and overall visitor engagement.
Gift Aid
Most digital fundraising devices include Gift Aid integration but it’s the level of functionality that is important to consider. For instance, we know that asking donors to go away and complete the Gift Aid declaration after the fact will massively reduce its effectiveness.
Many solutions on the market ‘offer Gift Aid’ but require a separate journey, whether that’s through a QR Code or an online form, resulting in low conversion rates and missed income.
Our Gift Aid capture is part of the Donation Station screen journey and only asks donors for the necessary information to complete the claim.
As a result, our customers see an average of 68% of donations Gift Aided.
Read more
Learn more: Capturing Gift Aid through the Donation Station
Offline Mode
Many churches struggle with internet connection, which is why Offline Mode or 4G connection can sometimes be the best option as you are removing potential network barriers, increasing your device up time and therefore donation income.
It’s important to note that not all offline solutions are made equal, with some requiring you to connect the device to the internet in order to then capture offline donations.
Ours, in comparison, is a true offline mode, that works without needing to connect first. Simply collect your donations and head back to your office or home to upload them via a secure network.
We have worked with hundreds of rural churches who have benefited from our offline solution:
"We have installed a GWD midi contactless payment machine recently in a 7th century church with no internet or Wi-Fi! It is a robust well-made machine but the support behind its installation has been excellent. Always someone at the end of the phone and willing to talk you through all stages. Excellent customer service."
– Beuno Sant Uwch Gwyfai
Who are GWD?
We help socially-minded organisations transition to digital systems, building stronger relationships through impactful products and services.
Our experience goes back two decades, with a foundation building and providing critical digital services and products for the financial services and retail industries.
With a long-proven ability to handle challenging projects and a team of trusted experts, we work hard to solve problems and deliver change that helps others.
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