The Tap That Gives Back: Why Nonprofits Are Turning to Contactless Donations

In an era where convenience shapes everything from how we shop to how we commute, the world of charitable giving is undergoing a digital reckoning. Increasingly, nonprofit organizations are discovering that if they want to meet donors where they are — quite literally — they need to offer the same seamless, tap-to-pay experience that has come to define modern consumer life.

That shift is bringing a quiet but profound change to the way causes accept donations. Across museum entrances, street fundraisers, religious institutions, and pop-up appeals, a new fixture is taking root: the Point of Donation terminal - aka the contactless donation box.

These discreet, smartphone-sized terminals — which accept digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay — are quickly becoming the standard in donation collection and fundraising infrastructure.

And the data suggests the results are nothing short of transformative.

A Contactless Donations Revolution, By the Numbers

Last year, digital wallets accounted for 43% of one-time online donations, up from 39% the year before, according to Charity Times. Monthly donations via mobile wallets — often considered the lifeblood of sustained giving — are following suit, with wallets now comprising roughly 20% of recurring contributions (GoDonate).

Checks, long the mainstay of nonprofit finance, have been overtaken. Digital wallets are now the third most-used method of giving in the U.S., behind only cash and credit/debit cards, according to Nonprofit Pro.

But this is more than just a shift in medium — it’s a shift in momentum.

Organizations that have embraced digital payment options have reported

mobile giving increases of up to 67% year over year, according to a report from NTEN. Streamlining the donation experience — particularly at physical touchpoints like contactless donation boxes — is helping convert fleeting interest into action. In some cases, nonprofits have seen 32% more unplanned donations and nearly 80% increases in repeat giving (BWF).

Meeting Donors Where They Are — On Their Phones

One driving force behind this transformation is demographic. Millennials and Gen Z donors, who together now represent the largest share of the adult population, are digital natives. Nearly two-thirds of them use mobile wallets regularly, and 78% of Gen Z donors say they will stop supporting an organization if it fails to offer their preferred method of payment (Bloomerang).

Meanwhile, 28% of all online donations now originate from mobile devices, a figure that’s only expected to rise. Point of Donation terminals or Contactless donation boxes — particularly those positioned in high-footfall areas — are increasingly seen as the connective tissue between physical engagement and digital giving.

The Case for Trust and Security

As adoption grows, so does donor comfort. According to research by Qgiv, 36% of users believe digital wallets are safer than traditional payment methods, citing tokenized data and reduced exposure of sensitive information as key advantages. That perception of security can be a deciding factor, especially when donations are made on the go.

The technology also benefits nonprofits operationally. Contactless giving reduces the need to handle cash, minimizes reconciliation errors, and frees up staff to focus on stewardship and community building rather than logistics. Forbes recently called this trend part of the “cashless revolution” sweeping across the social impact sector.

Beyond the Plate, the Envelope, and the Checkout Line

At first glance, the sight of a donor tapping a phone against a sleek, Point of Donation terminal might feel transactional — far removed from the warmth and spontaneity that often characterize giving. But nonprofit leaders argue the opposite: that reducing barriers to giving actually enhances generosity.

“In many ways, we’re not replacing a human moment,” said one director of a community health nonprofit in London. “We’re making it easier for that moment to turn into something meaningful.”

That sentiment is echoed in research. Digital-first donors are more likely to give again, and more likely to give on impulse when the process is quick and intuitive. As one BWF analyst put it: “Convenience is not the enemy of compassion — it’s the catalyst.”

The Bottom Line

For nonprofits navigating a more competitive, digitally driven donor landscape, the adoption of digital wallet payments — especially through Point of Donation and contactless donation boxes — is no longer optional. It’s strategic.

From improved conversion rates and stronger donor retention to meeting generational expectations, the tools that once seemed futuristic are now essential. What matters today is not just the cause, but how effortlessly someone can support it.

Because sometimes, all it takes to change a life is a single tap.

Superspree is the ultimate, global Point of Donation system provider. Available in 46 countries globally and more, we achieve exceptional results by delivering the impact message at the point of donation.

Contactless Donation box situated in a cafe.

References

1. Charity Times. (2023). Almost half of donations now made using digital wallets, research finds. Retrieved from https://www.charitytimes.com/ct/Almost-a-half-of-donations-now-made-using-digital-wallets-research-finds.php

2. GoDonate. (2022, May 16). Digital wallet donations are the fastest growing charity payment choice. Retrieved from https://go-donate.uk/2022/05/16/digital-wallet-donations-are-the-fastest-growing-charity-payment-choice/

3. NonProfit Pro. (2024). Digital wallets surpass checks for charitable donations, says Bloomerang report. Retrieved from https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/bloomerang-report-reveals-digital-wallets-surpass-checks-for-charitable-donations/

4. NTEN. (2023). 5 payment trends to grow your nonprofit’s donations. Retrieved from https://www.nten.org/blog/5-payment-trends-to-grow-your-nonprofits-donations

5. BWF. (2023). Digital wallets in fundraising. Retrieved from https://www.bwf.com/digital-wallets-in-fundraising/

6. Bloomerang. (2023). Embracing next-gen payments to attract and retain next-gen donors. Retrieved from https://bloomerang.co/blog/embracing-next-gen-payments-to-attract-and-retain-next-gen-donors/

7. Qgiv. (2023). Why digital wallet donations are a smart move for nonprofits. Retrieved from https://www.qgiv.com/blog/digital-wallet-donations/

8. Forbes Business Development Council. (2024, October 25). How nonprofits can benefit from the cashless revolution. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2024/10/25/how-nonprofits-can-benefit-from-the-cashless-revolution