Charities trial contactless boxes to combat decline in cash donations
People donating by debit or credit card typically give more
Charity boxes allowing shoppers to make donations with contactless payment cards are to be introduced in the UK.
Fundraisers hope the option will make up for a decline in cash donations, which is blamed partly on the rise in card transactions and the subsequent decline in people carrying cash.
There is also evidence to suggest that when people donate using their debit or credit card, they tend to make a larger average donation.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The roll-out follows a successful trial of boxes fitted with wireless receivers "in response to fears about the rise of the cashless society cutting off a lifeline for charities", says the Daily Telegraph.
During the trial, which included Oxfam and the NSPCC, donors gave an average of £3.07, three times as much as the usual cash donation.
According to Barclaycard, which developed the new donation boxes, contactless spending grew by 166 per cent last year. More than half of adults now make a transaction with a contactless card at least once a month.
According to YouGov research, one in seven people have admitted to walking away from giving a donation because they did not have any cash on them.
Cash now accounts for less than half of all transactions in the UK. According to the Charities Aid Foundation, charitable donations in the UK fell by £500m in 2015.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Brits keeping 21 million ‘money secrets’ from friends and family, survey reveals
Speed Read Four in ten people admit staying quiet or telling fibs about debts or savings
By Joe Evans Last updated
-
London renters swap cramped flats for space in suburbia
Speed Read New figures show tenants are leaving Britain's cities and looking to upsize
By The Week Staff Published
-
Should the mortgage holiday scheme have been extended?
Speed Read Banks warn that some homeowners may struggle to repay additional debt
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
RBS offers coronavirus mortgage holidays
Speed Read Taxpayer-owned bank follows measures taken in virus-struck Italy
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
What are the changes to National Savings payouts?
Speed Read National Savings & Investments cuts dividends and prizes for bonds
By The Week Staff Published
-
China clears path to new digital currency
Speed Read Unlike other cryptocurrencies, Beijing’s would increase central control of the financial system
By Elliott Goat Last updated
-
Why are donations surging to the RNLI?
Speed Read Charity enjoys flood of funding after criticism for overseas work
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
PPI deadline day: how to claim
Speed Read Final chance for consumers to apply for compensation
By The Week Staff Published