# Direct Debit is the most valuable type of donation over a year, says Bacs

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/10/25/direct-debit-most-valuable-type-donation-over-year-says-bacs/
- Published: 2013-10-25T09:47:04+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The average amount given to charity over a year by Direct Debit is worth substantially
more than the average amounts given by the other top six most popular methods in
the UK.

The figures are based on research by Bacs Payment Schemes Ltd, the organisation 
behind Direct Debit in the UK. Its Bacs’ Family Finance Tracker looked at the charitable
giving habits of 902 adults aged 16 or over in Great Britain. It found that 64% (
582 adults) had made one or more charity donation during the past 12 months.

## Most popular methods of giving

The most popular methods of giving reported by donors were:

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 * Put money in a collection tin: 48%
 * Sponsored someone: 32%
 * An ongoing direct debit: 20%
 * Given money through social events: 14%
 * An occasional donation by debit card or credit card: 13%
 * Sent an occasional cheque by post/given a cheque in person: 12%
 * An ongoing standing order: 6%
 * Made a donation by text: 6%
 * Through a giving network: 5%
 * Joined a charity as a member: 4%

## Highest value methods over a year

The average amount donated by each method in the past 12 months yields a different
order:

 * An ongoing direct debit: £181
 * An occasional donation by debit card or credit card: £118
 * Joined a charity as a member: £101
 * Sent an occasional cheque by post/given a cheque in person: £94
 * Given money through social events: £64
 * An ongoing standing order: £57
 * Through a giving network: £46
 * Sponsored someone: £38
 * Put money in a collection tin: £20
 * Made a donation by text: £15

Bacs’ charity sector specialist Graham Callaghan is urging charities to use Direct
Debits to maximise the amount they raise from donors.

![Graham Callaghan, Bacs](/files/images/graham-callaghan-bacs.jpg)

He said: “Encouraging people to sign-up to Direct Debit could increase levels of
giving, but it also makes it cheaper and more efficient for charities to process
these payments, so it really is win-win.

“The potential for increasing these benefits across the sector is significant and
we can provide support to organisations in offering [Direct Debit](http://www.bacs.co.uk)
as a preferred payment option”.

_Photo: [direct debit](http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-102729074/stock-photo-signing-a-direct-debit-agreement-form-isolated-cutout.html)
by Eelnosiva on Shutterstock.com_

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