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The Gurkha Museum

The Gurkha Museum, Winchester

“Unlike our previous provider, Dona’s machines also allow us to accept offline donations when we have had trouble with our internet connection in the museum. Overall the service from Dona has been friendly, fast, and reliable from start to finish. We’re incredibly pleased with the machines and the positive difference they’ve made for our museum.”
https://thegurkhamuseum.co.uk/
Victoria Anastasi,
Fundraising Co-ordinator

The Gurkha Museum serves as a vital bridge, connecting the past with the present and ensuring that the extraordinary legacy of the Gurkha soldier continues to inspire.

Nestled within the historic Peninsula Barracks in Winchester, The Gurkha Museum stands as a vibrant testament to over two centuries of unwavering service and profound connection between the Brigade of Gurkhas and Britain. More than just a repository of artifacts, the Museum actively safeguards the rich tapestry of Gurkha heritage by celebrating, honouring, and promoting the remarkable history and culture of these legendary soldiers, alongside their enduring commitment to the British Armed Forces.

As their constitution states, the Museum’s core mission is two-fold: to advance education, primarily through the provision of the Museum itself and the meticulous preservation of the Brigade collection, and to promote the efficiency of the Armed Forces by steadfastly upholding the cherished traditions and ethos of the Brigade of Gurkhas, ensuring their remarkable deeds are never forgotten.

“Using Dona’s digital collection plates has significantly boosted our fundraising efforts at The Gurkha Museum. In a time when we were seeing fewer people carry cash, these machines have allowed us to capture donations that we would have otherwise missed.

The Gift Aid functionality has been invaluable, enabling us to collect Gift Aid on eligible donations, further increasing the impact of each contribution.

Unlike our previous provider, Dona’s machines also allow us to accept offline donations when we have had trouble with our internet connection in the museum.

Overall the service from Dona has been friendly, fast, and reliable from start to finish. We’re incredibly pleased with the machines and the positive difference they’ve made for our museum.”

Victoria Anastasi, Fundraising Co-ordinator at The Gurkha Museum

Learn more about The Gurkha Museum

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Case Studies

The Lantern Arts Centre, Wimbledon

Lantern Arts Centre, Wimbledon

“Not only can our supporters choose what they want the donation to be for, but they can also declare their Gift Aid status all in the same process. This saves us lots of chasing and paperwork and of course increases the value of the donation. The functionality is effective and the user experience is good, even for those who are less used to using technology in this way.”
Lantern Arts Centre Fundraising for Arts Charities Case Study
Steve Rees
Operations Manager

Lantern Arts Centre has strong community presence and is funded by donations.

Like many charities, Lantern Arts Centre saw a big decline in cash donations in 2020 so explored digital giving options and chose Dona.

Utilising both donation terminals and a donation webpage, they have been able to transform their fundraising efforts. With their average donation amount increasing to £49.

They also use the Management Portal to remotely monitor donations for their various community initiatives throughout the year.

The time saved counting and depositing cash has meant they can now focus on what they love most, performing arts!

£235k+ |Total fundraised on Dona since 2020

£49 |Average donation value 

Call Sales: 0203 488 5038

Call Support: 0203 488 8095

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Boost Your Summer Fundraising

Boost Your Summer Fundraising

April 2025

Digital Income Strategies for UK Museums & Visitor Attractions
Child on summer holidays looking at an exhibit at a museum

The summer period, with its longer days and increased visitor numbers, presents a golden opportunity for UK museums and attractions to make the most of donors’ generosity. In an increasingly cashless society, embracing digital fundraising is the perfect solution.  

Some museums or attractions are FREE to enter and rely entirely on money from trusts, funds and public donations; others charge an entry fee and ask for donations to supplement their work, which can account for between 10 and 40%*of total income for larger museums and attractions. 

*https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/total-income-of-dcms-funded-cultural-organisations-20222023/total-income-of-dcms-funded-cultural-organisations-202223-headline-release

The Digital Shift in UK Giving

Charitable giving in the UK is continually evolving, with a trend towards digital and cashless transactions. While cash donations still exist, contactless payments and online giving are becoming the preferred donor choice. Museums and attractions must therefore adapt their fundraising strategies to meet these needs. The 2024 Annual Museum Survey noted an encouraging 27% increase in donations since 2019/20, showing the potential for growth with the right approach.

See how the Gurkha museum uses their Dona donation machines for fundraising success.

Embracing Self-Service Donation Terminals

Dona Donations’ Digital Collection Plates (DCPv3) provide a seamless and secure way for visitors to contribute. These terminals accept:

  • Contactless payments (tap-and-go) even offline
  • Mobile wallet transactions
  • Traditional Chip & PIN card payments

Main advantages:

  • Ease of Use: Quick and user-friendly for donors.
  • Self-service: They can operate without constant staff or volunteer supervision, freeing up your team for other roles.  
  • Offline Capability: Can accept donations even without an internet connection. Ideal if your attraction is a cave, in a gorge, or particularly remote.
  • Low Fees and Automatic Updates: Ensuring cost-effectiveness and up-to-date technology.
  • Security and Compliance: Fully GDPR and PCI DSS compliant, reassuring both your organisation and visitors. 

When placing the terminals, think strategically about high-traffic points within your attraction, such as entrances/exits, popular exhibition areas, or near the gift shop and cafe. Provide information where queues may form about how much donations make a difference to the museum or attraction.

Dona card terminals can be wall-mounted, positioned on a countertop or floor-standing, providing flexible options.

Museum exhibits with visitors browsing

Leveraging QR Codes and Dedicated Web Pages

Beyond physical terminals, digital touchpoints like QR codes and dedicated web pages are essential.

  • QR Codes: These codes are scannable with a smartphone. Place them prominently on:
    • Exhibition signage
    • Information boards
    • Visitor guides and maps
    • Cafe tables
    • Membership desks
    • Marketing materials and flyers When scanned, a QR code should immediately direct visitors to your dedicated online donation page.
    • Anywhere where the public are gathering or likely to be spending ‘dwelling time’ during their visit. 
  • Dedicated Web Pages: Your website should feature a clear, compelling, and easy-to-navigate donation page. This page should:
    • Be Mobile-Optimised: Most visitors will access it on their smartphones.
    • State the Impact: Clearly articulate how donations will be used with several options available for donors to choose the fund they would like to support. Dona donation machines offer up to 20 personalised fund options. 
    • Offer Varying Amounts: Suggest different donation tiers – test different options to see which tiers resonate best for your visitors, this can be amended on different donation machines so can be specific to the exhibit or area that it is placed. 
    • Be Secure: Display trust badges and clearly communicate data security measures.
    • Offer the option to register for Gift Aid if eligible. Can be switched on or off on Dona card machines.  
  • Encouraging Donors:
    • Compelling Storytelling: Use evocative language and imagery to explain why donations are needed. Highlight specific projects, conservation efforts, or community programmes that rely on visitor support. 
    • Show Impact: Instead of just asking for money, explain what a donation will achieve. Visuals, like a “thermometer” or “target” showing progress towards a fundraising goal, can be highly motivating.
    • Subtle Reminders: Staff and guides can be trained to gently encourage donations, perhaps by mentioning the reliance on public support during interactions.
    • Promote Gift Aid: For eligible UK taxpayers, ensure it’s easy to add Gift Aid, which increases the value of their donation by 25% at no extra cost to them.

Inspiring Donors and Amplifying Impact

Beyond the immediate transaction, it’s vital to inspire a deeper connection and amplify the impact of every donation.

  • Donor Recognition: Acknowledge donations, even small ones. A simple “Thank You” message on the digital terminal screen, followed by an email receipt and a more personal thank you if details are provided, can foster goodwill. 
  • Showcasing Missions: Use your digital platforms to regularly update donors on how their contributions are making a difference. Share photos, videos, and stories of the projects funded by donations. 
  • Social Media Amplification: Encourage visitors to share their experience and support on social media. Run campaigns that highlight your fundraising missions and the tangible benefits of donating. Include hashtags that can be used to group social posts. 
  • Membership Integration: Promote membership programs as a way for dedicated supporters to provide ongoing support with added benefits.

Looking Ahead: Continuous Innovation

The summer offers a unique window to maximise your fundraising potential. By integrating modern digital tools like Dona Donations’ self-service terminals with well-placed QR codes, compelling web pages, and emotive storytelling, UK museums and attractions can significantly boost their donation income. Remember to continuously evaluate what works best for your audience and adapt your strategies to ensure sustained support for your invaluable cultural and heritage missions.

Find out more about Dona’s donation machines, management portal and new AI-driven virtual fundraising assistant.

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