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How We Help Non-Profits on #GivingTuesday and Every Day with PayPal
Looking at #GivingTuesday from the not-for-profit’s point of view, take a look at how easy and worthwhile it is to ask for online donations through PayPal.
Do you have a cause that is close to your heart and for whom you volunteer? One way you can serve them is to help improve their online donation process. If it’s been a few years since they set up their current system, it’s time for an upgrade. Since we recently took care of this for one of our NFP clients, we’d like to pass along some information on PayPal’s platform that you can share with your own organization.
First, let’s review why a straightforward online donation process is important and why PayPal is a good choice.
PayPal is built to be Mobile First
Desktop vs. mobile usage has reached its tipping point. More than ever, folks are using their phones to access social media, browse, and shop online. It only makes sense to be where your audience is and provide them an easy path for donating. The State of Modern Philanthropy 2021 reports that mobile conversion rates have increased more than 11%.
PayPal’s reputation is strongly positive
Twenty-two years of payment processing is monumental in the digital world. Of course, there are always new payment systems being launched, but organizations need to consider how much effort it will take to educate their donors so they are comfortable using another platform. PayPal already has good name recognition and a reputation for secure transactions using encrypted servers and other technology.
Integration with PayPal is simple
You don’t need to build a new website or create a new social media account to take donations with PayPal. Integration with other platforms, including your finance software, is painless. Just ask your web tech.
Consistency boosts confidence
When your patrons click the “Donate” button on your website, they are taken to a page on PayPal’s website that has your organization’s logo on it. The logo provides a reassuring consistency, but PayPal now takes all the responsibility for a secure transaction, not you.
Customize the request for your donors
On the PayPal donation page, your organization can specify suggested donation amount. There has been ample marketing research that shows folks find it easier to take the suggestion than think too much, so go ahead and set some goals. Studies also show that the middle option is most often chosen, so keep that in mind. Providing a subscription option as well encourages regular donations and there is always an “Other Amount” button as a backup.
Let the donor cover processing costs
While PayPal does reduce processing fees for eligible non-profits, there are still costs involved that can whittle away at your organization’s income. One way to counter this is to ask your patrons to help. If the donor ticks off the box that says “I’d like to add to my donation to help offset the cost of processing fees,” PayPal will automatically add the correct percentage to their donation. It’s just a small amount for each of them, but a nice savings for your non-profit.
Follow up with personalized thanks
Once the transaction has been made, PayPal provides a “Thank You” page, but you can also return the patron to your own website for an even more personal experience. Consider rewarding donors with exclusive content such as a video or photos. Maybe this would be a good time to share recent news or upcoming events. Or simply restate how grateful you are for their donation.
#GivingTuesday is when we think about who we can help with our monetary donations, but keep in mind that another way you can serve your favorite not-for-profit is to help them make the most of online contributions. Sprocket is proud to provide technological assistance to the following organizations and we can help yours, too. Call us today!
All Saints Catholic Academy
Bosom Buddies of Arizona
Bumble Bee Foundation
Chicago Area DNN Users Group
Democratic Party of Wheatland Township
Girls Inc of Greater Los Angeles
Help Our Youth Today
Millennium Carillon Foundation
New West Symphony
Stillpoint Family Resources
Summer Place Theatre
Synergy Business Connections
Volunteer Network on Aging
Will County Democratic Central Committee
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Kate Gingold
I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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