Where should I put my contactless donation box? Eight smart placement ideas to boost your fundraising results

The way people give has changed. With fewer people now carrying cash, contactless giving has become an essential option for charities and places of worship to encourage supporters to give. Whether they prefer to tap a card, phone, or their smartwatch, donors are more likely to give if they have a quick, easy, and secure way to offer their support.

That’s where contactless donation boxes like CollecTin can help. Unlike traditional cash buckets, they don’t need someone to be physically present to collect money. But while this type of payment technology is now commonplace, it’s how and where you use it that can help to maximise the amount you can raise. 
Thinking carefully about where you place your unit and when you encourage people to give, you can maximise donations. Drawing inspiration from our wonderful clients here our eight proven ways to make the most of your CollecTin.

1) By the Exit
If your visitors are likely to have had a positive experience while with you, then positioning your CollecTin by the exit means they may be inspired to give as they leave. It’s human nature to show appreciation after a positive experience. Examples when this might be the case include in theatres, galleries, museums, churches, food banks and visitor centres.

2) In High-Traffic Areas
These are areas where people will naturally congregate or pass through. Placing your donation box in areas with the most footfall ensures you maximise the chances of people donating. Examples include cafés, reception desks, entrances, foyers, picnic areas or waiting rooms. Our client, ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoo position their CollecTin in areas where visitors tend to gather for a while. 

3) In Queues 
People waiting in a queue have time to look around, so this is a great chance to catch their attention. Queues offer a captive audience who may be more receptive when they’re unoccupied. Examples include refreshment stands, box offices, ticket booths, bars and exit queues. 

4) Wall-Mounted 
Wall-mounting your CollecTin saves floor or counter space and keeps things tidy and secure. Using our secure wall/desk mount also allows the units to be left unattended. 
Examples could include rest areas, doorways, stairwells, corridors or within charity or gift shops.

5) At Events 
CollecTins are built to be lightweight and portable and can be moved around freely – ideal for events and fundraising on the go. They can be rotated between different activities or stalls, or be held by roaming volunteers. Examples include community fairs and sports fixtures, music festivals, open days, charity runs and street performances.

6) In Partner Locations
If your CollecTin isn’t being used between its fundraising activities, you might want to consider asking a local business, venue or other corporate partner to host your CollecTin for a while. Many businesses are keen to support charities and can open up your charity to new audiences. Many of our customers purchase additional units for this purpose. Examples include local corporate businesses, independent cafés and restaurants, hairdressers and beauty salons, convenience stores, garden centres, gyms and hotels – the list is endless!

7) Memorial or tribute spaces
These types of spaces can often attract people who are already feeling emotionally connected to the cause. A quiet, respectful setting where people have the space to think can be a powerful place to offer the option of giving. Examples could include, within churches, cemeteries, hospice gardens and chapels, and hospital remembrance areas.

8) Place alongside a volunteer or staff member 
While some of our CollecTin range work well unattended, having someone close by to engage with or who can explain the cause can increase donations.
Examples of this could include any front-of-house staff, information kiosks, bake sales, meet-and-greets, and at various community events.

By thinking creatively about the placement of your units, you can hopefully engage your visitors and encourage more of them to tap and give. Try a few of these ideas out and monitor what works best. Don’t be afraid to experiment! You might be surprised at how small changes lead to great results. To view the CollecTin range visit our website.