Donation Apps: Staying Top-of-Mind for Your Supporters

You know the saying: “Out of sight, out of mind.” Have you ever said this about something in your own life? Perhaps you lost a “treasured” item, only to realize months (or years) later that you forgot it ever existed.

The same situation can happen between your nonprofit and its supporters. Your fundraisers might gather hundreds of nonprofit donations and inspire people with excellently produced videos, poignant speeches, and a call-to-action that drives huge contributions. But in time, you might notice that donors lose motivation and forget all about that magical night. How can you avoid this?

Give donors a way to remember you in the palms of their hands: donation apps.

Donation apps, a tool for mobile giving, keep nonprofits fresh in the minds of their supporters, avoiding the dreaded disintegration of their relationships. As a result, nonprofits pull in more donations. Here’s why.

Donation Apps Allow Giving During the “Off-Season”

Because you engage your supporters on social media and contact them regularly through email blasts and e-newsletters, you have useful communication methods to share stories of the great work your nonprofit is doing. Supporters might watch one of your videos or read your blog and feel moved to give, even if it’s not “fundraising season.”

Because they have a donation app right there on their phones, and there is even a link to it in your communication, they can donate quickly, any time of year.

Your Supporters Can Give Spontaneously

Donation apps place a physical reminder of your organization in supporters’ hands. Just think of how much time people spend on their smartphones and how they use them:

Mobile giving increased by 21% in 2016

77% of adults own a smartphone

89% of people say they used their mobile phones while socializing

75% of people say it’s okay to use mobile phones while riding public transportation

When you consider how people refer to their phones during conversations, or how they scroll through their phones to pass time on the train, think of this: there will be moments that they’ll pass your donation app, remember your mission, and open the app to see what campaigns you’re currently running. They might learn that just $10 will help fill backpacks for the homeless. Tap, tap, tap – and they’ve quickly made a donation on the spur of the moment. Imagine how quickly this can add up!

Your Nonprofit Stays Relevant

By offering donation apps, you show your supporters that you proactively keep pace with technology, a signal that your organization wants to stay relevant. Founder of Mission Impact Philanthropy Kristine Breese Michie relates this to the importance of using modern technology, reminding us that we wouldn’t still take a horse and buggy – we’ll take the car every time. “Let’s take the quickest route to the biggest impact,” she says.

For nonprofits, the same goes for providing modern technology. Donation apps have become as modern of a technological necessity as the car is for transportation. Giving supporters the option of donation apps signals that you are strong and strategic – which gives donors a big reason to continue supporting you.

Ready to take the fastest route to the biggest impact? Let us show you how.