# Insights from PayPal’s digital fundraising event

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/07/17/insights-paypals-digital-fundraising-event/
- Published: 2018-07-17T08:14:32+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**This month WPN Chameleon’s digital specialists Addition took part in PayPal’s 
Charity office Hours event, bringing together experts in online donation conversion
and experience to help charities increase their donations and find new ways to accept
gifts.**

Some of the main points discussed during this event were:
 

## 1. How to streamline the online donation experience

Sarah Fleming, Senior Commercial Manager, Charity & Financial Inclusion at [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/not-for-profit)
set up the session explaining the reasons behind the meteoric rise in digital donations.
Currently 50% of all donations are still in cash, but this continues to decrease
with a recent survey stating that [70 per cent of charities have seen a drop in cash donations](https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/more-than-half-of-charities-have-seen-a-decrease-in-cash-donations.html)
over the last three years.

## Advertisement

Sarah also explained that donating to charity, unlike clothing or food is not a 
necessity and requires a smart approach to get your charity’s message across, whilst
also avoiding the pitfall of asking too many questions at the check-out.

She explained it was important to give donors choice with multiple payment options,
such as offering PayPal or other methods alongside direct debits as 58% of direct
debit forms are abandoned, according to PayPal.

As smart phones usage continues to rise, charities need their websites to be mobile
first. A recent study shows that [two thirds of all ecommerce transactions will be done by mobile by 2020](https://www.occstrategy.com/en/News%20and%20Media/2017/02/The%20Mobile%20Mandate%20English).

[⌊Addition team presenting at PayPal event⌉](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2018/07/paypal-fundraising-events.jpg)

## 2. Best practice for accepting contactless & in-person donations

PayPal offered some great advice to charities trialling contactless street donations.
To avoid confusion and missing out on potential supporters, they suggested not mixing
payment options and making it clear with signage that donors can give on the go.
Of course, careful selection of your street teams is also vital to making this work.

## 3. Simple enhancement to increase donation conversion

Vicky Reeves Digital Director at [WPN Chameleon](https://www.wpnchameleon.co.uk/),
who also heads up digital fundraising specialists Addition started her presentation
by explaining how a charity can use the **Inspire > Engage > Convert** process to
start a conversation with donors, engage with them and then convert them to regular
donors.
Vicky also explained why having the best user experience and user interface
is vital for charities to make this model work successfully. Our [goDonate online donation platform](https://addition.london/Products/GoDonate)
offers smaller charities an out-of-the box donation funnel and takes advantage of
the latest payment technologies.

After an inspiring hour of presentations, each charity had a chance to sit down 
with a PayPal and an Addition representative for a 1:1 sessions to get advice on
how to refine and increase their donation journeys.
 _**Maz Nazemi** is the digital
product manager at [Addition](https://addition.london/). He helps clients implement
our digital products such as goDonate and inMem. If you are interested in getting
advice on your online donation experience, please do [get in touch](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/07/17/insights-paypals-digital-fundraising-event/he***@*************co.uk)._

 * **[Chameleon and WPN to merge](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/04/22/chameleon-wpn-merge/)(
   22 April 2014)**