Credit Card Donations at Unattended Stations
Donation kiosks have become something of a fixture at charitable organizations, churches, and fundraisers. As a fundraising tool, self-service stations allow a greater level of anonymity and 24-hour access. They also free up volunteers to perform other functions.
These standalone devices have become such a hit at fundraiser events that they are often specially trucked to hotel ballrooms, event spaces, and venues where galas for causes take place. Some of the most effective kiosks feature wireless credit card authorization, or may need to be plugged into a local telephone line, but even so the setup process is worth the trouble. Given that available balance almost always exceeds the cash on hand with most people today, a charity can experience better results almost immediately, even when credit card processing charges are figured into the mix.
21st Century Contributions and Tithing
The unattended giving trend also helps nonprofit ventures like museums and churches collect dollars that they might otherwise miss out on. Many public organizations and nonprofits may be staffed almost exclusively by volunteers and docents, yet need money to pay for electricity, air conditioning, and maintenance. Donation devices near the front door have been found to improve the finances of places that might have noticed a lower amount of money in the transparent "cash box" which traditionally served the same purpose. Any opportunity to provide donors with a friction-free contribution process can bear fruit in a post-cash era.
iPad and Touchscreen Models
What are some of the advantages of switching to a kiosk-based donation program, supplemented by an online giving component? First, kiosk donations reduce many of the problems associated with checks. You can't bounce a debit or credit card transaction because funds are authorized. (The kiosk also prevents embarrassment if the donation is declined due to lack of funds.) For charity campaigns that previously collected "pledges" there was always a calculus regarding how much was actually collected versus the ambitious amount promised by attendees who might have been in an overly festive or generous mood. Meanwhile, a contribution at the kiosk is more immediate and concrete. For people unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, an online gateway for making donations often serves as an RSVP.
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