How to Receive Nonprofit Donations Using QR Codes

Donations are central to your success as a nonprofit, so why wouldn’t you want to get as many of them as possible? Most nonprofits turn their attention to innovative events and marketing methods when trying to maximize donations. However, the difference in generosity comes down to something simple: convenience. The easier it is to donate, the more likely people are to do it. Knowing how to receive donations using QR codes is one of the best ways to ensure that.

The best part is that you don’t have to figure out how to integrate QR codes yourself. You can outsource that task to specialist software. One platform called Paybee made a dedicated fundraising platform for nonprofits. They integrated various ways to use QR codes in your events, whether virtual, in-person, or hybrid.

QR codes: A brief primer

Before we go any further, let’s clarify what QR codes actually are and how they work. You’ve probably seen plenty of them in your life. The codes feature a selection of black and white squares randomly scattered about, all within another square. QR codes are a type of barcode. Unlike the standard barcodes that cashiers scan when you buy something, anyone can scan a QR code with their phone camera and access information related to them.

Gradually, QR codes have started to infiltrate our lives. We see codes in museums. For example, visitors can access extra information on an exhibit. Or, you may see them in PowerPoint presentations. Audience members can scan them to receive online resources. QR codes refer you to a website without typing in a complicated web address. However, their adaptation has been relatively slow. Unfortunately, many people do not see the point in using codes or not bothering to learn how to use them.

All that changed when the pandemic hit. Suddenly, everything became contactless to comply with health and safety guidelines. QR codes started to replace more and more things, from menus to tickets. Why run the risk of touching a physical item when you could scan a code and get everything on your device instead?

The role of QR codes in the nonprofit world

Hopefully, you’re already thinking of how QR codes relate to the nonprofit world, even after the pandemic. In-person fundraising events tend to involve physical items, like flyers and posters. Placing QR codes on these is an easy way to give guests access to everything they need to know about the event and how to make donations. You can use the small square without worrying about cluttering up promotional materials or ruining your graphic design.

Because donors will be scanning the codes straight from their phones, they can quickly pay using that same design. Many people feel uncomfortable giving over their physical card or simply find it inconvenient. This approach has more advantages than one.

You can also use QR codes at virtual events so they can pay or access certain pages from their phones.

Where to use QR codes for Events

Now, it’s time to get specific. Here are some of the most valuable places to use QR codes at your fundraising events to boost donations.

Silent auction bid sheets

The silent auction is a staple of many fundraising events. It will help raise money in advance. It’s also a great way of generating interest beforehand and increasing the number of people that turn up. You can start the fun of silent auctions weeks before the day, giving you a huge window of opportunity.

Why not create bid sheets with QR codes for your silent auctions to make the most of these auctions? Participants can easily scan the QR codes to make bids online, a preferable alternative for many. It means they can bid from anywhere instead of remaining in sight of the auctioneer.

PayBee automatically generates these sheets so the process couldn’t be simpler. We also offer a feature that sends live text updates to guests, which keeps them engaged in the auction and makes them more invested in your nonprofit’s upcoming event.

Printed materials

If flyers and other physical marketing materials are part of the promotional strategy for your event, don’t miss out on the opportunity to include QR codes. When guests are wandering around an event and looking at the posters on display, they’re in a prime position to scan a code out of curiosity or make a donation. 

Try to be strategic about it by making your materials as attractive as possible and placing them in places people are most likely to notice. Why not try putting flyers on table settings or similar?

Even if you’re holding an online-only event, you can achieve something similar by placing QR codes to donate on your website or digital adverts.

Bid paddles

Bid sheets aren’t the only place you can put QR codes if you’re holding auctions. Paddles for bidding can be more than just a piece of paper with a number. PayBee designed bid paddles that contain a unique QR code for each guest. The code allows them to make donations or purchase items. They can also “check out” straight from their phone, which minimizes the chance of someone winning an auction but never making the payment. 

Again, convenience is key.

Our bid paddles come in PDF format and fit a standard sheet of paper (with an 8.5 x 11 aspect ratio), so anyone can print them off at home. After printing, fold the paper down the middle, which will show the number on both sides of the sheet. As for the handle, that’s down to you to get creative — or participants can simply use their hands.

Tickets

Tickets in some form are a necessary evil for any event, but they can cause a lot of inconveniences if there are long queues to carry out the process. If the staff takes a while to check physical tickets, it can get an event off to a bad start. If many people feel crowded in a small place, it can even lead to concerns about health and safety.

QR codes are far quicker and more accessible alternatives. Staff simply have to scan a ticket to check it’s legitimate, and then guests can head straight inside, possibly leaving them in a more generous mood.

Bring your events to the twenty-first century

QR codes might seem like old technology to many, yet most companies and nonprofits fail to use them to their full potential. Placing a few codes on your bidding paddles, promotional materials, and tickets can make an event smoother and more convenient for everyone. It possibly could result in more donations.

If the time and effort involved have been your biggest hurdle in adopting QR codes, using a dedicated fundraising platform like PayBee to automatically generate everything you need could be a game-changer. Could your nonprofit benefit from this platform? Check out the free live demo to find out for yourself before you commit.

This spotlighted blog post is courtesy of Paybee.

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