Non-profit organizations are always looking for effective ways to spread their message. Social media and the internet have significantly helped these organizations in terms of both donations and increasing awareness. Another emerging tactic that is proving success is the use of apps to make publicity and donations more accessible and fun for the public. Apps give users ways to give back in fun and alternative ways rather than writing a traditional check. While they have different functions, all these apps spread awareness and incentivize donations in one way or another.
1. Charity Miles
Charity Miles is a free iPhone and Android app that enables the user to raise money for a charity through personal exercise. By walking, running or biking the charity selected earns a small amount of money for every mile covered. Users can simply turn on the app before starting their exercise, and simultaneously raise money for others while treating themselves to a work out.
2. Instead
A popular choice, “Instead” focuses on relating a purchase to the cause of charity. Instead of the small item you may purchase, your money could instead greatly benefit another. The options for such are about $3 to $5 USD and the creators can be contacted directly if you’d like your organization put as a listing. Donators also get to see how their donation directly impacts the organization/people in question, which is an encouraging factor.
3. One Today
Here’s an app that exposes users to nonprofits they otherwise may not have noticed. Users are exposed to different causes daily with the option to donate $1. This allows opportunity for organizations to be exposed to audiences who may not have previously thought about the cause, opening doors for more following and donations.
4. Check-In for Good
Check-in is really as simple as it sounds. Users download the app that uses geo-technology to connect them to retailers that have Check-in in their area. Upon arriving at one of these places, the user simply has to open the app and check in to the area to send a small donation to the listed charity. This spreads awareness locally and gives your nonprofit a new forum to be publicized on.
5. Paypal
While there is a back and forth about how decent Paypal is when it comes to handling certain kinds of transactions, they nonetheless remain reliable and widely used. Better yet, they also feature a donation program which can be used for non-profits. Transactions are instant and many might feel better using a tried and tested formula versus the methods we’ve listed thus far. No matter your methods, it never hurts to have a Paypal option.
