RUNNING A PTA – Digital fundraising
PTAs try out several options because different things will work for different donors.
How can my PTA collect donations online? Setting up an online fundraising platform will allow you to collect donations directly from supporters anywhere in the world without involving the children or school staff. Each platform offers different functionality and some can also claim Gift Aid on your behalf. JustGiving and Crowdfunder are popular options.
What are QR codes and how can a PTA use them? Although scannable QR codes seem techy, they are surprisingly simple to create. Containing vast amounts of information, these black and white squares send instructions to access websites or display images. Used on a poster, they could direct
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Make the most of your digital fundraising
Ioan Marc Jones, content editor at Charity Digital, answers your most pressing questions
START
FUNDRAISING NOW
ot so long ago, a flyer, a poster and a school notice- board were all that was available to promote a PTA
fundraiser. But these days, when smartphones reign supreme, digital technology offers multiple new ways to connect with supporters.
Why has digital fundraising become so important in the past few years? For a long time, digital technology’s potential was widely ignored by small charities. However, the pandemic changed all that. Suddenly communicating digitally was not simply desirable, but necessary. Tech has many benefits. It allows
charities to increase fundraising efforts, enhance marketing and communications and support the day-to-day operations of their teams. Digital also serves to remove admin and tedious tasks, freeing you to focus on the most important work – providing your service. Cashless giving, donate buttons,
QR codes, text to donate and contactless donations are all popular right now. I would recommend that
people to information about an event or fundraiser, removing the need for paper flyers. As well as reducing costs, this method is also better for the environment. PTAs can also use QR codes to
send people straight to a donation page on mobile or desktop, enabling a quick and easy digital transaction. This makes it extremely easy for people to donate, regardless of whether they are carrying cash.
How would a PTA set up text to donate? Like QR codes, text donations sound more complex than they are. A quick google will reveal a variety of services that allow people to donate to your fundraiser from their smartphone. Some good options include Donr, DONATE and Instagiv. Each of these services has its own benefits, and takes around a 5% cut of every donation.
How can PTAs use contactless payments to boost their profits? Sometimes visitors run out of cash at events but are still willing to spend money. A contactless card reader removes this barrier and will enable you to generate larger profits. Use it on profitable stalls such as the
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