The digitising of business has represented a huge shift in common practices; both in the way we work and the way we spend our leisure time (and money). Charities have taken some time to catch on – the likes of Children in Need or Red Nose Day nostalgically calls to mind a phone number scrolling too quickly T.V a screen which you’re implored to memorise and call, rather than some tech-savvy donation method.
Now though, great strides are being made in encouraging our ever-generous public to donate to their particular causes via online means, simply by texting or going onto the appropriate website and making a contribution instantly. This only spells good things for future charitable pushes, and so with this in mind, here are 5 IDEAL ways to help a charity online.
A More Considered Approach
We’ve all seen them. In fact, we’ve all avoided them. The well rehearsed drill of fixing your stare into the middle distance and increasing your pace, or even better, faking being really busy and flustered, usually does the job.
Yes, I’m talking about ‘chuggers’. Those pesky, well meaning folk who we should all admire but don’t, soliciting donations through signing up to direct debits on the street; a way of operating that some felt brought the charity world into disrepute. No one wants to feel pressured into giving to charity, and surveys suggest that being strong armed in the street actually puts people off donating.
The moving of acts of charity into the online sphere has brought with it the chance to do a little research at home, to find information on where your money might be going and who it might be helping, and generally relieve the pressure associated with making a donation with a young, implausibly enthusiastic person breathing down your neck.
Small Change Versus Round Numbers
Whenever you’ve visited a museum or art gallery for an exhibition, or a heritage site such as Stonehenge, you’ll have seen all the signs encouraging you to support the institution by putting your loose change into a donation box. This is great, but the donation is often the smallest denomination in our pocket. Every little helps we know, but online, the simplicity of a round number often equates to the donation of a larger sum.
Organisations have been working on their donation strategies with that in mind; the National Funding Scheme (NFS) have developed a digital funding box, which means you can use your phone or computer to donate quickly and simply to assist culture, art and community in your local area. It’s often the case that if you have been impressed or moved by a cultural experience, then you’ll want to support the institution immediately. But rather than chucking in a couple of 2 pence pieces to a charity box and forgetting about it, consider a healthier donation online.
The Ease Of Innovation
The primary barrier to many people not giving to charity is the simple matter of ease-of-use. It’s been suggested that the digitising of charitable donations will make things more simple and therefore encourage people to give more frequently and generously. With much of the population now experienced in online transactions, to make a donation online to the charity of your choice should be simple.
It’s been suggested that the ability to use contactless payments to make donations will also increase the frequency of charitable behaviour. A number of major retail outlets now offer the possibility for you rounding up your shopping bill to the nearest pound, with what you donate going to a specified charity, and bank ATMs in partnership with a specific charity may offer you an option to give as well. Also popular, especially during the festive season, is the rounding up of restaurant bills in the name of food provision based charities. Again, it’s all about simplicity and innovation, and with digital evolution it’s not hard to do your bit.
Spread The Message
Hey, we’d all like to claim that the money we donate to charity is purely, quietly altruistic, but there’s no harm in spreading the word about giving charitably, as this will encourage friends and family to follow suit. Share charitable activities you’re engaged on social media for the furthest reach, post photos of events, and links to matters particularly close to your heart. The internet is a great tool for causes to get their message out there, and by sharing and spreading the message, you can help too.