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Tag: card donations

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Popular Technology

Growing Together: How Dona’s Donation Machines Keep Improving Performance

Best donation machines for charities in 2025 - performance data by Dona donations

Growing Together: How the Performance of Dona Donation Machines Keeps Improving

April 2025

Comparing the fundraising data of charities in their first 6 months with Dona: how each generation of Dona donation machine performed.
Best contactless fundraising machines for charities rely on continuous improvement - see Dona data

At Dona, everything we do starts with one goal: helping charities fundraise more. When we first launched the Digital Collection Plate (DCP), we knew it had the potential to transform giving. But we also knew that listening, learning, and improving alongside our partners would be key to making it truly powerful.

From Version 1 to Version 2: Smoother, Smarter Giving

When we first moved from Version 1 to Version 2, we made what might sound like a small change: removing an unreliable Bluetooth connection.

But the impact was huge. With a smoother, more reliable donation process, charities saw an average of 49% boost in donations raised over their first first six months of fundraising, compared with charities using the version 1 devices.

From Version 2 to Version 3: Donations Anytime, Anywhere

The next step was even more exciting. By switching from SumUp to Stripe as our payment provider, we were able to launch offline mode — meaning charities could accept donations even without WiFi or 4G.

That freedom led to a 21.8% increase in donations for charities fundraising on Version 3 compared to Version 2, in their first six months with Dona. For more data on the impact made by Offline Mode, see this blog.

Best donation machines for charities in 2025 - performance data by Dona donations

The Bigger Picture: 81.4% More Raised Since the Start

Looking back at the journey so far, the difference is clear. Organisations now raise on average 81.4% more in their first six months with Version 3 compared to those who started out with Version 1. That’s not just an upgrade in tech — it’s a real difference in the funds reaching charities and communities, through all the amazing work our partners do.

Powered by Feedback, Built for You

None of this would be possible without the feedback we receive from the charities we work with. Our UK-based support team makes sure every insight is heard, and our in-house development team turns those ideas into new features and improvements. Together, we’re building technology that grows with your needs.

Looking Ahead to 2025-6

The journey doesn’t stop here. We’ve got new innovations on the way in 2025 that we believe will make an even bigger impact. We can’t wait to share them with you — so watch this space.

Call: 0203 488 5038

Complete our enquiry form 

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Popular Technology

Unlock the Power of Mobile Giving

pop uo shops with mobile donation machines

Unlock the Power of Offline and Mobile Giving

April 2025

Boost Donations and Impact with Modern Technology
Hot air balloons in the blue sky for a festival event

Is Your Charity Collecting Offline Donations?

In the age of tap-to-give and QR code generosity, it’s easy to assume that all donations take place online. But what happens when there’s no internet connection? When WiFi drops out or mobile data lags? This is where offline donations come in, playing a critical yet frequently overlooked role in modern fundraising.

Dona donation terminals are engineered with Offline Mode to ensure all income is captured even without an internet or mobile data connection, make fundraising reliable, effortless, efficient, and accessible, no matter your environment.

What Are Offline Donations?

Offline donations refer to contributions made without an active internet connection at the point of transaction. This doesn’t mean cash or cheques (though those are traditional forms of offline giving). Just like on an aeroplane, when a payment is taken and processed when the plane touches down, offline donations are digitally recorded donations processed without real-time connectivity—often via contactless payment devices that store data locally and sync once the internet is restored.

If you’re looking to get started with digital fundraising, it’s essential that you choose a donation terminal provider that can handle offline donations so that when supporters tap their card or phone to donate, the device will still queue the transaction securely, submitting it to the payment processor when the connection is reestablished.

With Dona donation terminals, payments can be stored for up to a week. Providing a secure and consistent internet connection is restored within that time, donations will be captured securely.

Offline Donation Statistics 

In July 2025, we shared some Dona fundraising statistics that prove how important it is for charities to ensure their digital fundraising terminals are able to capture offline donations.

Data recorded from September 2024 to July 2025 on the Dona v3 DCP donation machines:

  • Average number of donations processed offline: 11%
  • Between September 2024 to July 2025 over £465,000 has been captured across the Dona platform using our offline mode. This is money that UK charities would otherwise have missed out on.
  • The highest amount raised by any one charity during this time using offline mode is £10,444.92 – 19.76% of their total income of £52,936.54 during this period. 
  • Over 60 charities captured between 40% – 100% of their donations in Offline Mode.

Embrace True Freedom: The Power of Offline Donations

People at an event where mobile donations are taken with tent in background

One of the most common headaches for event organisers is the unpredictable nature of Wi-Fi connectivity, especially at outdoor venues or in remote locations. Many of the charities we support – from ancient stone churches to remote tourist attractions – are situated in rural environments. Our donation terminals solve this challenge! Built for true portability and independence, Dona donation machines continue to accept card, contactless and phone donations,  even when there’s no internet connection or 4G signal

Imagine the possibilities:

  • Summer Festivals & Outdoor Events: From bustling food festivals and vibrant music events to charity boat races and lively summer fêtes. Our terminals allow you to set up donation points anywhere, without having to worry about signal drops or bandwidth issues.
  • Sporting Challenges & Running Events: Whether it’s a marathon finish line, a charity walk starting point, or a cycling sportive through the forest, our terminals are perfect for collecting donations where connectivity is often limited.
  • Pop-Up Stalls & Mobile Fundraising: Take your fundraising directly to the crowds! Our lightweight terminals are perfect to pass around, allowing volunteers to move through queues or mingle with attendees, capturing donations on the spot. 
  • Long-Lasting Power for All-Day Giving: With an impressive battery life of up to 10 hours, our terminals are designed to last through even the longest event days. No need to constantly hunt for power outlets – simply charge them overnight, and they’re ready for a full day of impactful fundraising.
pop uo shops with mobile donation machines

Here’s why our contactless donation terminals are the ultimate solution for your next fundraising drive:

  • Self-Service Simplicity & Zero Training: Our terminals are incredibly intuitive and self-service, making the donation process quick and easy for your supporters. No complex training is required for your staff or volunteers – simply present the terminal, and donors can tap their card or device to contribute in seconds. This streamlines your operations and enhances the donor experience.
  • Versatility for Every Cause: Whether you’re a bustling tourist attraction, a sacred religious establishment, a vibrant educational institution, or organising a local village fête, our terminals are designed to fit your needs. Their sleek design allows them to be stand-mounted for a prominent display (by entrances and exits for maximum visibility) or easily carried amongst crowds.
  • Security & Compliance You Can Trust: Peace of mind is paramount. Our contactless donation terminals are built with robust security features to protect both your organisation and your donors’ data. Rest assured, all transactions are secure and fully compliant with industry standards, giving you complete confidence in every tap.
  • Effortless Management & HMRC Ready: Say goodbye to manual reconciliation headaches! Our intuitive online management portal provides you with a range of detailed reports that give you a clear overview of your donations. For our UK charities, the system is designed to be HMRC ready, making your accounting,Gift Aid declarations and other financial reporting incredibly easy and efficient.
  • Customisation That Connects: Make the terminals truly yours! You can customise them with eye-catching screensavers that reflect your branding and message. Even better, set up to 20 different funds for donors to choose from, allowing them to direct their contribution to a specific project or cause that resonates most with them. Set up suggested giving amounts, alongside the option for the donor to choose their own donation. This level of customisation helps you connect with your donors on a deeper level and demonstrate the impact of their generosity.

If you still have questions please connect.

Our UK based sales team is on hand to answer your queries.

Call: 0203 488 5038

Complete our enquiry form 

Message on our social channels – 

 Facebook logo for dona donations

 

Find out more....

Our friendly team will be in touch to answer any questions you may have. 

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Fundraising Events and Managing Donations

People at a fundraising concert making the heart sign

Fundraising Events and Managing Donations

March 2025

Charities and Organisations raise a staggering amount of money each year by hosting a variety of events.

People at a fundraising concert making the heart sign

Famous Charity Fundraising Events in History

Live Aid raised a staggering £30 million back in 1985. 

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is the biggest mass participation charity fundraising event – the UK’s largest mass-participation charity fundraising event, raising £31.3 million in 2023, making it the highest-grossing event of the year.

The London Marathon, in 2024, broke the world record for the biggest one-day fundraising event. Over £67m was raised as more than 53,000 people took part in the 26.2-mile race through the city. The total surpasses the record of £66.4m, set by the same race in 2019.

 If you are looking to run an event to raise funds for your charity or organisation, your first point of call would be to look at the fundraising regulator guidelines for events – https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/code/specific-fundraising-methods/events

Types of fundraising charity events

Running race with runners racing after fundraising for their placeCharity Sporting Events

Sporting events such as half marathons, fun runs, park runs, assault courses, 10km and 5km races are among the biggest sources of funds for charities. Walking events also feature highly. Collections can be made both at the event itself through portable contactless donation devices, as well as with funds being raised before the event through sponsorship and online donations through systems like Dona’s online donation webpages.

 

Community Fundraising Events

  • Car boot sales: collecting entry fees with a portable contactless donation device can save time and increase fundraising income. Donations can also be collected by moving from pitch to pitch with a mobile Dona device.
  • Dog or horse shows: if your attendees are mobile then you can be too, take donations ringside.
  • Fêtes and shows: village fêtes, street parties, county shows and agricultural shows can be really successful ways for communities to fundraise. Station volunteers outside of marquees or around areas where visitors may congregate to collect more donations.
  • Indoor events: fun, interactive examples of indoor events that can be successful fundraising drives include live auctions, bingo nights, cake sales, and games or quiz nights. Card donation machines can be passed around the room for donors to simply ‘tap to donate’.   
  • Gala events: local businesses can donate to sponsor tables through Dona’s online webpages, while Dona donation machines can be stationed at entrances and exits, or passed from table to table for collecting donations from guests.

Fundraising Festivals

Festivals can be a wonderful way to fundraise, attracting large numbers of visitors and raising awareness of your cause. Entrances and exits are great spots for donation terminals as well as on stands, take donations where people are flowing through.

Types of festival include:

  • Music festivals
  • Food and drink festivals
  • Film festivals
  • Theatre fringe festivals
  • Arts festivals and open studios events
  • Literary or educational festivals

Benefits of using a card donation machine at your next event

  • Allows more people to donate that do not carry cash.
  • More hygienic than handling cash for volunteers, staff and donors.
  • Safer for volunteers and staff to carry a handheld donation machine than cash – minimises the risk of theft.
  •  Traceable donation trail making reporting with HMRC reports easy.
  • Quicker donations with digital donations as no cash handling, no change needed thus reduces queues and preparation.
  • Means more donor contact information is collected for future marketing, with donor consent.
  • More data means better analysis of donor behaviour and trends for future campaigns.
  • Gift Aid is easier to obtain and has been shown to boost donations amounts.
  • Average donation value is much higher than with cash.
  • No staff needed for self-service donation machine stands.

Black donation terminal with keypad and easy to tap screen

Key preparation for your event

  • Setting up a webpage: Dona provides a free webpage where you can promote up to 20 different campaigns or projects that you might be collecting for.
  • Add a link to the webpage in your email campaigns and on ticket sale sites.
  • Add your event to Facebook and other social media, and include your webpage link.
  • Post your QR code on your socials ahead of, during and after the event.
  • Add your QR code to your event flyers, posters and newsletters.
  • Create signs to show clearly where donation terminals are located.
  • Ask event hosts to mention where attendees can donate.
  • Add your donation card machine locations to event guides.

Helpful Features for Your Events: How Dona Donation Card Machines Can Help 

  • Offline mode for outdoor areas with no Wi-Fi or poor connectivity: essential for those ‘in the middle of nowhere’ type of events and dips, black zones where a Wi-Fi connection is not possible. 
  • Long battery life: Up to 10 hours of battery, when used offline, to ensure your donation terminal is up to the job throughout your event.
  • Tap and Go: For faster set-amount donations, this function makes donating quick and easy, meaning no more queues and digging around for change, just select your donation amount and tap your card. 
  • Pause your donation terminal until your next event saving your charity money: if you only run events quarterly or seasonally, our terminals can be paused until your next event, meaning you save money but still have access to this fundraising boost when you need it most. 

Talk to the team at Dona Donations to see how our card donation machines can help boost your fundraising and help you achieve your targets.  

Call our UK sales team – 020 8038 0820

Find out more....

Our friendly team will be in touch to answer any questions you may have. 

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How can Funeral Directors collect contactless donations?

Funeral service long candles at a church

How can Funeral Directors collect contactless donations on behalf of their mourners?

January 2025

Funeral service long candles at a church

Many people like to leave a legacy to local or national charities or organisations close to their heart when they pass. One thing they might also share is the desire to have donations instead of floral gifts at their funeral. For the family, it is a time when they would generally like the process to be easy and hassle free.

At Dona we offer a service for Funeral Directors so they can accommodate the families’ needs in a professional way, with a service that they can provide to ease the burden at a difficult time. 

Having card donation machines available at a funeral mass, burial, cremation or wake, either near the entrance or in the room used to congregate, can be a useful way for mourners to give. 

Dona donation machines empower funeral directors to allocate donations directly to the charity chosen by the deceased, so that the family can be confident their last wishes are being honoured.

Beautifully decorated white coffin with lots of flowers at a funeral

Features

  • Total of donations raised will be available and shared with the family
  • A QR code can be included to the order of service and on a dedicated webpage so that mourners can use their phone to scan and donate. 
  • Funeral Directors can provide this service as an extra feature. 
  • Donations can be taken by debit or credit card.
  • A list of donors and the gifted amounts can be made available after the service to be sent to the family.

Benefits for Funeral Directors and Attendees:

  • Convenience: Contactless payments are quick and easy, meaning no cash handling needed.   
  • Choice: The family or deceased can choose the charity that they wish donations to be made to.
  • Efficiency: The terminal streamlines the donation process, reducing wait times and improving the overall experience.  
  • Security: Contactless payments are secure, minimising the risk of theft or fraud.
  • Trust: Donors can clearly see exactly where their donation is going and will be updated after with the amount donated.

Additional Considerations:

  • Accessibility: Ensure the terminal is accessible to people with disabilities by using Dona’s height-adjustable stand.
  • Staff Training: Train staff to assist attendees with the donation process if needed.
  • Marketing: Promote the availability of contactless donations on the funeral home’s website, social media, and other communication channels.
  • Data Privacy: The management portal already adheres to data protection regulations when handling donor information.
Black writing of gift aid logo for charity fundraising
  • Gift Aid: Donations can be amplified with the use of Gift Aid forms on the terminals and the donation website page. 

By implementing contactless donation terminals, funeral directors can provide a modern and convenient way for attendees to honor the deceased and support charitable causes.

How Contactless Donation Terminals Work:

  1. Setup:

     

    • Choose Charities: Select the charity relevant to the deceased or the family’s wishes.
    • Configure Terminal: Program the terminal with the chosen charity set up as an individual fund for each funeral for the coming day.
    • Choose set donation amounts ahead of time for ease of donating. Custom options will also be available. 

2. Placement:

 

      • Visible Location: Place the terminal in a prominent location, such as near the exit, entrance or reception area. Sometimes it is a good idea to have the terminal in the area where refreshments are served. 
      • Clear Signage: Use clear signage to direct attendees to the donation terminal and explain its purpose.
      • In the Order of Service. Print clear instructions in the Order of Service on where to find the terminals. 
      • Mentioned briefly during the service introduction.
    •  QR code on a mobile phone being held by a person

 

  • QR Code: Add this to the Order of Service to enable mourners to donate at their leisure when they return home. This can also be shared on the funeral home webpages (sometimes offered as part of the funeral package), or on the deceased or family’s Facebook page so donations can be made by those unable to attend on the day.

Funeral Directors’ Considerations

Funeral Directors are required to keep donation records for 7 years. The Dona Donations management portal is set up to comply with all HMRC data reporting needs.  

The portal can also provide a list of names and total donation amounts.

A general guide for best practice management of donations for funeral directors can be found here

If we can help in any other way please contact our Sales team with any new terminal enquiries on 0203 488 5038

Alternatively please do complete our enquiry from to request a copy of our latest brochure. 

Find out more....

Our friendly team will be in touch to answer any questions you may have. 

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Digital Collection Plate Festive Fundraising Checklist:

Festive Fundraising

Digital Collection Plate Festive Fundraising Checklist:

December 2024

During the festive season, around large religious festivals and celebratory events, there are a few steps you can take that can help make fundraising run smoothly for you and your donors.

Festive Fundraising

Speed up donations using Tap and Go on your V3 donation terminal

Dona’s newest V3 donation terminals come with a new Tap and Go functionality, allowing you to set one suggested donation amount that people can give with a fast, simple tap and go.  This can help reduce queues and encourage more people to donate that otherwise might not stop if they are subject to a lengthy wait.  

This is particularly useful during big events and busy seasonal gatherings, or for leaving in a shop window so passers-by can gift overnight

Tap and Go will speed up donations, but won’t ask new donors to register for Gift Aid. You can encourage donors to preregister for Gift Aid, as this only needs to be done once. Mention this to your congregation in person or in a newsletter to help secure Gift Aid donations ahead of time. 

Increase your number of terminals

The cost of employing an extra terminal can be quickly recuperated during the festive season and at busy events, and your organisation will then be set up to capture additional donations for the rest of the season and well into the new year. Contact our sales team to add a terminal to your account quickly and easily. 

Self-service stands

To enhance donation accessibility, Dona donation terminals are all self-service. Self-service terminals, placed in strategic high-footfall locations, empower donors to make contributions independently. This can significantly boost donations, especially during peak periods when staff or volunteers may be limited. Our flexible stands can be configured to suit various environments, including counter-top, freestanding, and adjustable styles.

Let people know you accept card donations

If you are holding an event or gathering, ensure you let people know before and during the event so they can feel inspired to donate at any point. This will reduce queues and give you the opportunity to let them know about how important their support is and the difference it can make. Donation terminal stands

Make the most of Christmas Fundraising for your organisation. Sending regular updates and newsletters electronically to your donors means they can really get behind your fundraising goals and be part of the journey to success with helping to hit your targets. 

Be sure to also have your Dona donation webpage set up for those unable to attend in person who might like to show their support. Contact our support team today if you have any questions about how to do this.

Is your account verified?

If you are a new customer, financial regulations mean you will need to complete a verification process with the card payment processor. This avoids limits to the donation amounts and totals that you can receive.  


If you have any questions about the information required by Stripe to verify your account for financial verification please follow this link: https://support.stripe.com/questions/business-information-requirements-to-use-stripe?locale=en-GB

Do you need to top-up your 4G data?

Wifi and 4g contactless donation terminal in black

If you are using 4G data SIMs or a 4G dongle with your Digital collection plates, we recommend topping-up your data ahead of busy

 periods. This will ensure that your DCPs are usable at all times.

If you would prefer you can upgrade to a WiFi +4G terminal that will allow you to take donations with or without an internet connection.  See our new DCPv3 

Further help and resources:

If we can help in any other way please contact our Sales team with any new terminal enquiries on 0203 488 5038

Or our support team on 0203 488 8095  who are available up until the 25th December and from the 2nd January. 

Find out more....

Our friendly team will be in touch to answer any questions you may have. 

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The Power of Contactless: How Charities Can Raise More

Contactless cards in gold from visa and mastercard

The Power of Contactless: How Charities Can Raise More

July 2024

Why going contactless is one effortless way to boost donations.


Nowadays, fewer than 1 in every 5 payments are made with cash in the UK. There has never been a
better time to switch to contactless donations for your charity.
The rise in contactless payments in the UK has been phenomenal since Covid 19 with a record 93.4%
of all in-store transactions up to £100 being made with a contactless method of payment in 2023*
In 2023 the average person used their contactless payment 231 times with an average spend over
the year of £3,623**


There is no doubt that contactless is now the quickest and most efficient way for most people to
make purchases day to day. The contactless payment limit was raised to £100 in October 2021 and
with Dona Donations terminals the most you can donate in one transaction is £9999.99.
Mobile phone wallets have no specific limits. However, it is wise to check as some providers have a
general total card spending limit. Find out more here about general mobile transactions.
Contactless payments continue to be a safe way to make payments with a small reduction in the
amount stolen through payment fraud in 2023 according to the UK Finance Annual Fraud Report
2024.


*According to Frontier Economics 
**Barclays, 2024

Contactless cards in gold from visa and mastercard

5 key benefits of taking contactless donations with Dona
Donations


1. Take donations with Contactless and Chip & PIN

2. Collect donations without an internet connection.

3. Easy-to-use Management Portal featuring Gift Aid declarations and HMRC
reporting 

4. Secure custom stand options 

5. Self-service kiosk with a 10-hour battery life


Most charities can benefit from contactless donations including churches, mosques, temples,
museums, schools, universities, hospices, and food banks. Dona Donations have raised over £25
million for over 2,000 charities thus far. With 40% of donations Gift Aided it is the future of
fundraising.

Cards Accepted include@

 Mastercard
 Visa
 Apple pay
 American Express
 Google Pay
 Contactless
 Diners Club
 Maestro

What does the future of Contactless fundraising look like?

With the use of mobile wallets, digital currencies and banks collaborating to make fintech
advancements at an astonishing rate, we can be sure that tap and go is here for the long run. But
which other areas could we see payments developing into for the future?


Consumer confidence has grown, and card payment is widely accepted as a preferred alternative to
cash. With the reduction in risk and the rise in wearable devices, the future of contactless looks likely
to grow further with enhanced convenience and accessibility. The technological advancements mean
the traceability and reporting now available help to make the running of a charity so much more
efficient.


We could see further biometric payments and the need for physical cards decline with some
providers already issuing virtual credit cards. Additionally, QR codes may have finally found their
niche with a huge uptake in the use of this technology for managing business credit card accounts
and taking automatic payments.


Find out more about Dona Donations charity donation plate and how it could help boost your
donations. 

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Uncategorized

4 Easy Steps to Set Up Contactless Fundraising

Group of Charity volunteers by a van ready to take donations

4 Easy Steps to Set Up Contactless Fundraising

June 2024

Boost donations for your charity!

Dona Donations Managing Director Elroy Fernandes talks us through the ease of setting up contactless fundraising terminals for your charity.

The rise of mobile payments has transformed how people give. Cash donations are declining, but with contactless fundraising, your charity can literally ‘tap’ into a whole new world of generous supporters.

Here are the 4 easy steps to get your contactless fundraising up and running:

1. Assemble Your Fundraising Committee: Gather and talk to your committee about how contactless fundraising can be used for your charity as a safe and effective tool.  Speak to us and we can provide you all the costs, savings, and statistics to help you put forward your case to your fellow members.

Some of the most common questions we are asked are:

    1. How much does it cost
    2. Length of contracted commitment
    3. What support is available should there be a technical or user problem?
    4. Which payment cards are accepted?
    5. How long does it take to set up contactless donations?

    Elroy said “The biggest factor is trust, making sure we are helping your charity to make the most of the donations made with low costs and clear transparency.  Ensuring our values also align with your mission and values of your charity as a trusted professional supplier”

     

    2. Setting Up Your Electronic Donation System: The beauty of ‘tap to pay’ fundraising is its simplicity. We walk you through the entire process, ensuring a seamless integration with your existing donation infrastructure.

    Elroy noted “Nominate a team member that will help us to get you set up,  this is a quick process that is usually handled by your treasurer who can liaise with your bank, we are very happy to help guide you from start to finish”

    3. Promote, Promote, Promote! Once your mobile giving is up and running, let your supporters know! Announce your new donation option on your website, social media channels, and email newsletters. Additionally, you could consider offering incentives for early mobile donors to generate excitement or set a target to reach.

    Person making a Credit card payment for online donation terminal

    Elroy stated “Upon launch, we see a big rise in initial donations as supporters are keen to try the new technology and welcome the opportunity to use a safe method of payment.  Hence, this leads to a rise in the average donations made”

    4. Enjoy Increased Donations & Growing Support: With a card payment fundraising system in place, you’ll be opening your charity up to a whole new wave of contributions. Therefore, Dona terminals make donating easier than ever, allowing your supporters to contribute anytime, anywhere.

    Elroy added “For outdoor activities and events our terminals are perfect.  No Wi-Fi signal is no barrier; we can bring the latest technology to your charity fundraising and keep your team safe with a reduced theft risk.  We also find that charity volunteers like the reduced responsibility of handling cash”

    Remember, we're here to help!

    We have the experience and resources to make your contactless fundraising journey a success. Contact us today to learn more and take the first step towards a brighter future for your charity.

    Enquire