Throughout 2023, technological innovation has dominated just about every industry across the globe. From marketers exploring ChatGPT to businesses taking off on TikTok, there’s nowhere that technology isn’t reigning supreme… and the fundraising industry is no exception.
Considering the country’s increasing preferences for contactless and mobile payment methods (and banks predicting a cashless Canada by 2030) non-profits and charities have had to quickly adapt to tech-forward models in their organizations.
While adapting to such a large industry shift can seem daunting, Jack Fanous, co-founder and CEO of JobPaths, said it best: “You don’t need to become a software company overnight, but you need to start thinking differently about the tech tools and digital solutions that can help build your mission.” And we’ve seen several organizations embracing that paradigm shift with everything they’ve got!
So, while we have a special love for our own platform, Hope Factory, there are tons of other amazing things going on in the fundraising sphere. Here are 3 examples of other innovations in fundraising technology that deserve your attention as you’re planning for 2024.
Cashless Giving
With an increasing need for a “cashless” world but no easy-to-implement replacement available on the market, Chris Greenfield saw an opportunity. In 2018, Chris created tiptap, a touchless giving solution that helps charities and fundraisers increase their donations and stay completely cash-free. Since then, tiptap has been modernizing the donation capabilities of charities and non-profits, helping tons of organizations leave cash in the past. The Salvation Army, for example, has been working with tiptap since 2020 to upgrade their kettle stations. After a 2019 pilot showed a 300% increase in digital donations at Salvation Army touchless giving locations, tiptap is showing everyone the potential of cashless giving.
School Fundraising
When you think back to fundraising in your elementary school days, do images of bake sales, magazine subscription sales, and $2 chocolate bars come to mind? While those types of initiatives are still great options for schools, there are new, tech-forward solutions on the horizon. FutureFund is reinventing our understanding of school fundraising, introducing the “next generation” of solutions for Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and school groups. One of FutureFund’s most innovative solutions is the online storefront option, where schools can sell anything from PTA memberships and dance tickets to spirit wear and school supplies. Through FutureFund’s eCommerce tools, schools can raise funds online and donors can pay completely cash-free.
Effortless Donations
Canadians send over 200 billion SMS and MMS messages every day. If each of those texts were tied to a donation, we could make a huge difference to the causes we hold closest to our hearts. And, with DipJar and AuthVia’s new partnership, that opportunity becomes a reality. DipJar, a digital donation platform, and AuthVia, a text-to-pay provider, have joined forces to create a brand-new Text-to-Donate solution for their users, leaning into the possibilities of mobile fundraising. Charities and non-profits registered with DipJar can text donors with requests, the donor can approve the donation with a one-time code, and the donation is processed in real time through AuthVia — simple!
Over the past year, organizations around the world have been creating incredible new opportunities with their innovation in fundraising technology. Whether you’re tiptap’ing at a local organization or texting to donate, innovations like these offer exciting opportunities to reach new donors, retain existing donors, and foster meaningful relationships with corporate sponsors and other partners.
As your organization is planning for a new year of fundraising, exploring new technological innovations should earn a top spot on your priority list for January 2024. Hit the ground running with a tech-first strategy that looks ahead to a future of fundraising that’s easier, faster, and more sustainable.
After all, as Alan Kay once said, “the best way to predict the future is to create it.” Leveraging the power of Hope Factory — alongside these other incredible fundraising tech solutions — we’re predicting a future where we all make the world a better place, one transaction at a time.