📲 Contactless Donations: 13 Questions Every Nonprofit Leader Should Ask (And Some Early Answers)

As nonprofits continue to adapt to an increasingly digital world, contactless donations are becoming a hot topic. Whether you're at a gala, a community event, or even just setting up in a public space, giving people a way to support your mission with a simple scan can be a game-changer.

But before jumping in, many nonprofit leaders (rightly) have questions. Here are 13 smart ones—plus some initial insights to get you thinking strategically about how contactless giving can fit into your fundraising toolkit.

1. What qualifies as a contactless donation?

Contactless donations go beyond just tap-to-pay with credit or debit cards. They also include:

• Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay

• QR codes that link to a donation page

• NFC (Near Field Communication) where donors can tap with a phone

• Even text-to-give or giving via smart devices can fall under this umbrella

Think: any donation method that doesn’t require physical cash or card insertion.

2. How secure are contactless donations?

Very secure. Most contactless systems use tokenization and encryption to protect donor data. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay never even share the actual card number with the merchant. Still, it’s smart to use PCI-compliant platforms and clearly communicate safety to donors.

3. Do contactless donations increase average gift size or frequency?

In many cases, yes. The ease and speed of contactless giving reduces friction and makes impulse giving more likely—especially at events. Studies have shown that average donations via mobile wallet or QR code are often higher than cash donations.

4. Are certain demographics more likely to use contactless methods?

Yes—younger donors (Millennials, Gen Z) are the most comfortable with contactless tech, but adoption is growing across all age groups. Convenience is universal, especially post-pandemic when many people expect cashless options. Infact, mobile wallet useage is the preferred payment method across Europe and the dominant payment method in Asia.

5. How does contactless giving impact donor retention and engagement?

This is still emerging, but many organizations find that contactless donors tend to be new or casual supporters. This presents a great opportunity: follow up quickly using instant receipt functionality (Superspree has this), share impact, and invite them to give again or become recurring donors.

6. What equipment or platforms do we need?

It depends on the method:

• For card: contactless card readers (like Square or Stripe)

• For QR giving: printed codes linked to a donation page

• For NFC: devices or stickers programmed with your donation URL

Make sure whatever you choose integrates well with your CRM or donor database.

7. Can we easily track and reconcile contactless gifts with our donor database?

Most modern platforms support integration or export to tools like Salesforce, Bloomerang, or DonorPerfect. Just be sure to choose one that offers custom fields or tagging so you can identify contactless gifts separately.

8. What are the fees like?

Transaction fees vary. Mobile and card tap systems often charge 2.2%–3.5% per donation, depending on the provider and the country. Some platforms like Superspree also offer donor-covered fees, so your organisation keeps more. Always read the fine print.

9. Do we need internet access at all donation points?

Fortunately online and offline options exist in the market today. Usually yes, especially for live processing . Some readers store data offline and sync later, but for real-time giving, Wi-Fi or cellular service is needed. Plan ahead if you're in a remote or crowded area.

10. Where do contactless donations work best?

Contactless shines at:

• Events and galas

• Churches or places of worship

• Museum donation stations

• Street campaigns or pop-ups

• Retail partnerships (think donation prompts at checkout)

It’s especially powerful in high-traffic or spontaneous-giving settings.

11. How can we make the experience feel personal and mission-aligned?

Use screens or signage to tell a story, show impact, or thank donors. Some platforms let you customize the donation flow with your logo, videos, or auto-send thank you emails. Keep the experience emotional, not just transactional.

12. What’s the ROI of setting up a contactless system vs. traditional methods?

The initial investment (hardware, fees, design) can be low compared to the potential lift in donations and donor acquisition. For small orgs, QR codes and text-to-give campaigns plus low-cost devices like the Superspree Loop are low-barrier ways to start. For larger orgs, devices like the Halo can become part of a broader omnichannel strategy.

13. Can we use contactless giving as part of a hybrid campaign?

Absolutely. Pair it with:

• Digital campaigns (link QR codes to a giving microsite)

• Peer-to-peer fundraising (give volunteers donation links or codes)

• Mail campaigns (include QR codes for mobile-friendly giving)

Think of it as one more way to make giving accessible—anywhere, anytime.

Final Thoughts

Contactless donations are a sign of how donor expectations are evolving. By meeting supporters where they are (with phones in hand), nonprofits can unlock new giving opportunities while making generosity feel effortless.

If you’re considering implementing contactless donations, start small, test it out, and track your results. The future of fundraising is frictionless—and that’s a good thing.

Want help choosing the right platform or planning your rollout? Let’s chat! 👇 email us at info@superspree.com