With nearly 70% of charities in the UK seeing a fall in cash donation, a Barclays survey shows that over a quarter of Brits would rather make donations via their mobile devices than traditional methods, such as cash, cheques and standing orders.
And tapping into mobile donations could give charities a funding boost, with 27% of the 2061 people surveyed for Barclays Pingit saying that they would donate more if they could do so using a mobile device or payment card.
Meanwhile, nearly a third of Brits indicate they are now more likely to fundraise online than they were five years ago and three in ten reveal they would rather do this on a mobile.
Yet, despite consumer preferences, just one in four UK charities have mobile apps through which they can receive donations.
Barclays is looking to change this with the Pingit Giving feature, which lets users raise money for charities, create a fundraising page, share it with their friends and family, and collect donations.
Available to any UK-registered charity, Pingit Giving takes a once per cent cut of donations, with no additional fees.
Darren Foulds, MD, Pingit, says: “Consumers today prefer to donate in a variety of ways, including through our phones. Whether they’re used to give contactlessly or to create a fundraising page, the little devices in our pockets could generate a huge uplift for charities across the UK.
"With the launch of Pingit Giving, we hope to give every organisation the chance to benefit from mobile donations, and keep more of the funds they raise."