Find out more....
Our friendly team will be in touch to answer any questions you may have.
Our offices are closed from 25th December and reopen on 2nd January. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
How can councils leverage contactless technology for the good of the community?
November 2024
Councils in the UK receive funding from a range of places, including:
Council tax, grants, business rates and fees and charges.
Many councils find these funds do not fully cover the full spectrum of projects they would like to support within the communities they serve. Hence, there is a need to raise additional resources. With contactless technology, these projects can be given a boost with self-service terminals that do not require a huge initial outlay, extra staff or extensive training.
Which projects can councils use contactless donation terminals for?
Here are some great examples of fundraising projects that can be supported with contactless donation terminals.
- Fundraising for Specific Projects:
- Community Centres: Support the construction or renovation of community centres for various activities.
- Parks and Recreation: Fund new playgrounds, walking trails, or sports facilities.
- Libraries: Contribute to the purchase of books, computers, or educational resources.
- Cultural Events: Help with costs to organise local festivals, concerts, or art exhibitions.
- Supporting Community Services:
- Food Banks: Provide funds for food purchases, storage, and distribution.
- Homelessness Shelters: Contribute to operating costs and essential services.
A great example from Cambridge City Council who have utilised contactless technology on the streets – with the public making small donations in a fight to tackle homelessness. For as little as £3 – the price of a cup of coffee.
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2024/10/07/street-aid-week-real-change-for-the-price-of-a-coffee
- Elderly Care: Support programs that assist with transportation or meals.
- Youth Programs: Fund after-school activities, mentoring, or vocational training.
- Addressing Environmental Concerns:
- Conservation Efforts: Contribute to habitat preservation, wildlife conservation, or pollution reduction initiatives.
- Renewable Energy: Support the installation of solar panels or wind turbines in public spaces.
- Recycling Programs: Fund additional recycling facilities or educational campaigns.
- Improving Infrastructure:
- Road Maintenance: Contribute to road repairs, pothole filling, or traffic calming measures.
- Public Transportation: Support improvements to bus or train services.
- Accessibility: Fund projects to make public spaces more accessible for people with disabilities.
- Enhancing Community Well-being:
- Mental Health Services: Support counselling, support groups, or crisis intervention programs.
- Substance Abuse Treatment: Fund rehabilitation centres or prevention programs.
- Health Promotion: Support health education campaigns or community health clinics.
Where is the best place to position contactless donation terminals?
Placing self-service donation terminals in areas with high footfall is a great way to raise funds. It is quick and easy for donors to ‘tap and go’ as regularly as they like. Providers like Dona donations make it easy for charities to collect Gift Aid too, enhancing each eligible donation value by 25%.
The local library, leisure centre or shopping mall are all places that could raise much needed funds. Each terminal can have location specific funds that users can donate to making them more likely to give to a fund that would personally benefit them or their community.
Councils often run local events, such as firework displays or carnivals. Contactless terminals are perfect for placing at these events where a large part of the community will be gathering and enjoying local entertainment.
Choosing a contactless fundraising provider for your council.
Dona Donations are an excellent choice of partner for contactless fundraising terminals and provide a custom solution for councils. See how the features and benefits below can help to boost local campaigns:
- Transparency – the Dona Management Portal allows councils to view donations in real-time and allocate to charity projects in a timely manner.
- Funds – many councils support multiple charity projects throughout the year. With the Funds feature (max of 20 funds), they can display the various projects and causes the community can contribute to, to motivate and inform about what they are doing to give back.
- Revenue Boosting – The average donation made using Dona is £12-£14, typically much higher than cash donations. And with market-leading transaction rates, more funds go directly to the projects you care about.
- Screensavers – allow the council to customise and update their branding and messaging throughout the year so the donation terminals reflect current brand standards and messaging.
- Celebration – the Dona Management Portal allows the council to view donation totals and celebrate fundraising milestones easily.
- Raising Awareness – many people don’t realise that councils support local charities and help with the start-up and ongoing operational needs of local community projects. Donors who register for Gift Aid or ‘Keep In Touch’, will receive email communications to spread awareness of initiatives they can engage with.
- Flexible, simple and fast – councils having the ability to financially support charitable projects via self-service donation terminals. It is mutually beneficial as they don’t need to have staff at every event but can still deploy the portable donation terminals quickly to help fund the activities at short notice or at remote events.
If you would like to see more, please contact us for a demo today