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

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.

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.