Making the Most of December: How to Boost Your Festive Fundraising
Charitable giving in the UK remains relatively steady throughout the year, but December stands out as the ultimate month for generosity. Data from our software partner, Give A Little, shows that donations consistently increase during this month, with December 2023 experiencing a remarkable 29% rise compared to the previous month.
This festive spirit of Christmas motivates many to give something back, leading to a spike in donations for food banks, homeless shelters, and children’s charities. Churches often hold services with collection opportunities, and charities run Christmas appeals for the homeless, elderly and disadvantaged families.
Many UK charities, such as Crisis, Shelter, and The Salvation Army, run high-profile Christmas campaigns to support these vulnerable groups. By aligning campaigns with the festive spirit, charities and places of worship can tap into seasonal generosity and maximise donations.
A New Audience
Fundraising events in December provide charities and places of worship with a unique opportunity to connect with a different audience. During the festive season, churches strive to be inclusive by welcoming those who may not regularly attend. Carol concerts, nativity plays, and Christmas services often attract non-regular churchgoers, allowing them to engage with the Christmas story and participate in the festive spirit. Schools and youth groups are also encouraged to visit, further broadening the reach of these events.
Beyond the church walls, festive fairs, Christmas markets, and seasonal gatherings serve as excellent platforms for fundraising. These events draw diverse crowds, many of whom are eager to support local causes while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
To maximise the impact of these opportunities, integrating contactless donation terminals can ensure that no donor is left behind - especially in a time when fewer people carry cash. A visible, user-friendly contactless option allows supporters to give easily and spontaneously, helping organisations make the most of the season’s generosity.
Success in Action: Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) is a powerful example of how embracing contactless donations can maximise the opportunities of the festive season. To support their mission of providing extra care for seriously ill children and their families, ECHC organised 19 festive fundraising performances on the iconic steps of The Dome restaurant in Edinburgh.
Featuring choirs performing for two-hour slots and over 30 enthusiastic volunteers, ECHC used both traditional cash buckets and a CollecTin More contactless donation terminal powered by Give A Little software. The terminal was branded with a vibrant fundraising campaign, making it eye-catching and simple to use.
The results were transformative. By offering a contactless option, the charity overcame the challenge of fewer people carrying cash, ensuring they didn’t miss out on valuable donations. Volunteers found the terminal easy to operate with minimal training, and donors quickly adapted, instinctively tapping to give.
Tips for Maximising Donations in December
You can make the most of the festive season by implementing a few key strategies:
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Provide Options for Contactless Giving
Ensure you have a contactless donation terminal so supporters can tap and pay with ease, offering choice for those who no longer carry cash. You can explore our options for this here. -
Flexible Usage: Fixed and Portable Options
Use your contactless donation terminal in key fixed locations, such as your venue entrance, or operated portably by a volunteer during events such as festive fairs, and markets. -
Custom Branding for Engagement
Personalise your campaign screens with custom branding, videos, and images. These build trust with donors and create a more engaging experience. -
Different Donation Amounts
Set pre-determined donation amounts on your terminal to encourage higher contributions while still allowing flexibility for donors to choose their amount. -
Promote Your Contactless Donation Option
Use social media and newsletters to raise awareness of your contactless donation terminal. Share simple tips and instructions so donors know how to give. Consider using video demos to show how quick and easy the process is. -
Remember to Say Thank You
Don’t forget to thank your donors, whether in person, through an automated thank-you message, or via follow-up communications. Gratitude not only strengthens relationships with supporters but also encourages repeat donations and fosters a sense of community and appreciation.
These strategies will help to make sure you’re ready to capture the generosity of your community while offering an easy, modern giving experience.
Prepare for the Festive Fundraising Rush
Ready to make the most of the season’s generosity? Investing in a contactless donation option is quick and easy, but a little preparation goes a long way to ensure you're ready in time for the festive fundraising rush.
Once ordered, your contactless donation unit will arrive within a week. Setting up your CollecTin is a breeze - unbox your device, and you'll have it ready to go in under 15 minutes!
To ensure everything runs smoothly, we recommend registering for your SumUp, Stripe or Zettle by Paypal account ahead of time, as the verification process is done manually and can take a week. For those using our devices with inbuilt software to manage and personalise your campaigns (CollecTin More and CollecTin Plus) you also need a set up your Give A Little software or Wil-U account - getting this set up ahead of your device arrival means you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Important Reminder: To guarantee delivery before Christmas, make sure to place your order by Tuesday, 17th December.
Don’t miss out on capturing the spirit of giving this season. With a contactless donation option, you’ll provide supporters with a simple and accessible way to give, making it easier than ever to maximise your impact during December’s busiest giving days.
