The Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app turns your iPad or Android tablet - paired with a card reader device - into a giving kiosk you can use to accept swift, cashless donations anywhere and anytime. Learn how to set up your own donation kiosk at your nonprofit location or fundraising event in this article.
Let’s face it – very few people carry cash anymore. Churches, museums, masjids, art galleries, and other nonprofit organizations that often get visitors at their locations are seeing fewer in-person donations in an increasingly cashless world. A cash collection box simply isn’t going to cut it anymore!
What if you could easily set up a giving kiosk at your location or fundraising events that collected seamless, cashless donations? That’s where Donorbox Live™ Kiosk comes in!
Our innovative and dynamic app, Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, can be used to turn any iPad or Android tablet into a giving kiosk that helps donors tap, dip, or swipe their credit or debit cards or use digital wallets to make swift cashless donations, anytime and anywhere.
Donorbox Live™ Kiosk is an app for both Android and iOS that nonprofit organizations can add to their tablet and pair with a card reader to easily set up a giving kiosk for accepting cashless on-site donations.
Yes, it’s that simple! You can easily activate the Donorbox Live™ add-on on your Donorbox account and create a Live Campaign. Then, download the Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store to your tablet, and log in to the app to pair it with your card reader.
Your donors visiting your location or attending your in-person events can choose a suggested ask amount and tap, dip, or swipe their credit/debit cards or use digital wallets via smartphones and smartwatches to make swift and secure donations on the go. Plus, you can even provide the option for them to cover all transaction fees, ensuring that 100% of their donation goes towards your mission.
The Donorbox Live™ add-on is priced at $50/month for the first device and an additional $15/month for each additional device you use. You can choose to only activate the add-on in the months you will be using a giving kiosk.
We’ll explain the steps to get started later in this blog. First, let us take a look at everything you will need to turn Donorbox Live ™ into a giving kiosk.
Everything you’ll need to turn our powerful app into a giving kiosk is easily accessible – and you may already have some of these tools on hand!
Get more information about these card reader devices on Stripe’s website:
Once you receive the appropriate card reader device from Stripe, it will be easy to set it up using their instructions. Then, follow the simple steps below to finish setting up your giving kiosk.
*You must have an active Stripe account and log in to view and order a card reader device.
There are just 12 simple steps to take to set up your giving kiosk with the Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app.
Watch this video on how to set up Donorbox Live™ Kiosk:
First, log in to your Donorbox account.
If you’re new to Donorbox, you can sign up for an account here. It’s easy and free to get started with our Standard plan. We do, however, recommend the Pro or Premium plans for a lower platform fee, next-level integrations, expert coaching services, and more.
After you’ve logged in, make sure that your Donorbox account is connected to your Stripe account. You can connect to Stripe from your Donorbox account here.
You can also watch our video on how to connect to Stripe here.
Connected to Stripe? Great! Now, you’re all set to activate the Donorbox Live add-on.
Note: You must add your Tax ID/EIN/ABN and your organization’s address to Donorbox under “Nonprofit Info” to be able to activate the add-on.
First, go to “Integrations & Add-ons” on your Donorbox account and click the drop-down arrow.
Select “Donorbox Live.”
Click the “Activate Donorbox Live” button.
The add-on is available for $50/month for the first device and $15/month for additional devices.
Once you have activated your add-on, you’re ready to create your first Live Campaign! On your Donorbox account, go to the “Fundraise” drop-down.
Select “Live Campaigns.”
Click “+ Create New Campaign” to create a new Live Campaign for your giving kiosk.
Next, head to the “General Settings” tab to name your campaign, select the currency (choose from 13 options), and set your default language.
This “Default Language” is the language the donor view will be in when donors walk up to your kiosk. No matter which default language you choose, donors will still have the option to change between English, Spanish, and French with a single tap!
Also, be sure to set your suggested ask amounts for your campaign. We recommend adding four suggested amounts, but you can choose how many are right for your organization. Don’t worry – donors will still be able to type in a custom gift amount.
Here, you also have the option to ask donors to cover processing fees for their donations.
When this is selected, donors will be given the choice to cover your fees for their gift, empowering them to ensure that 100% of their donation goes directly to impacting your mission.
Next, you have the option to make your Donorbox Live™ Kiosk experience match your organization’s messaging and branding.
In the “Content” tab, you can customize the headline and description text that appears on your welcome screen. This is the first screen donors will see when walking up to your kiosk.
We recommend using this text as your call to action to give. Use language that will tell your audience exactly what you want them to do – donate – and share the impact their gift will have to encourage more donations.
You can also set your default – or “static” – language in this tab. This is the language the donor view will be in.
Note: Donors will have the option to change between English, Spanish, and French with a single tap on the welcome screen, no matter which default language you choose, unless you customize your messaging. Translations are disabled with custom messaging, but you may still choose a default language.
Next, head to the “Design” tab, where you can customize the look and feel of your giving kiosk’s screen. First, select a main color (we recommend using your primary brand color). This will change the color of your suggested ask amount buttons as well as add a tint to the screen. Then, upload your logo in standard image formats such as PNG, JPEG, or GIF – a PNG with a transparent background is ideal.
Customizing these options to follow your brand identiy optimizes the giving experience for your donors, building their trust and making them feel comfortable to give even more.
Want to preview how donors will view your giving kiosk with these customizations? Simply click “Preview Kiosk” in either tab when you’re ready.
Here’s an example – your logo will replace the Donorbox Live™ logo:
On the next tab, labeled “User Receipts,” you’ll be able to customize the receipt template used to send receipts to your donors. Use this feature to showcase your gratitude and ensure your receipts match your brand’s tone and messaging.
You can add variables and images as well as customize the look of your receipts within the rich text editor.
On the “Campaign QR Code” tab, you can add a campaign QR code of your choice to display on the home screen of the donor view in the app (as seen below).
To add a QR code, check the box for “Enable QR Code,” then choose from the options shown.
You may select a Donorbox-hosted page by selecting “Hosted Page” and choosing one of your Donorbox fundraising campaigns in the drop-down. This option enables you to direct giving kiosk donors to an online campaign that features additional options such as recurring giving, tribute gifts, designated funds, and more.
Or, you have the choice to add a QR code for any page you wish, such as a newsletter sign-up form to encourage sign-ups for your email list or a YouTube video showing the impact a donor’s gift will have. Simply select “Custom Page” and add the correct URL.
No matter which option you choose, be sure to add a short description in the box labeled “QR Code Description Text”! This tells users what they will find when they follow the QR code.
Once your campaign details, customizations, receipts, and QR code are up to your standards, click “Save Changes.”
Next, you need to download the Donorbox Live ™ Kiosk app on your iPad or Android tablet. Please make sure that your Android tablet is version 8 or later or that you are using an iPad that is running iOS 13 or later.
Download the Donorbox Live ™ Kiosk app for Android here.
Get Donorbox Live™ App for Android
Download the Donorbox Live ™ Kiosk app for iOS here.
Get Donorbox Live™ App for iOS
Now, log in to the Donorbox Live ™ Kiosk app on your tablet using your Donorbox account.
If you have enabled two-factor authentication on your account, input the code and sign in.
Please note that when you log in, we’ll sign you into the first organization your account is associated with. Support for switching organizations will follow at a later date.
Next, select the Live Campaign you created on Donorbox.
Then, check all other settings, including the currency and the suggested ask amounts you selected. If you want to make any changes, click the hyperlink “Click here to edit this campaign” right beneath the amounts.
Once you’ve made any changes, click “Refresh” on the bottom-left corner of the screen to have them reflect on the app.
Next, turn on your Stripe M2 or WisePad3 card reader device. Your device must have Bluetooth or Nearby Devices enabled in order for the app to work. Make sure you’ve granted Donorbox Live access to your Bluetooth or Nearby Devices in your device’s settings. Remember to keep it near the tablet as it pairs.
If you’re new to using these devices and need help with setting them up, Stripe has all the information you need –
Click the “Launch Application” button on your Donorbox Live ™ Kiosk app. It will automatically pair with your card reader device and launch the donor view.
Please note that. while automatically connecting with your card reader, the Donorbox Live ™ Kiosk app will ask for permission to use your device’s location. This helps connect with nearby devices. Also, connecting to your card reader device for the first time is likely to take several minutes.
That’s all – you’re now all set for powerful live and in-person fundraising for your nonprofit.
Just place your Android tablet or iPad and your card reader at a location easily accessible to your donors and event attendees. They’ll love the convenience of giving via quick transactions!
Running into any setup challenges? Visit our troubleshooting guide here.
Your donors can make a swift and secure cashless donation in just five simple steps.
From this screen, donors can first choose to have their giving experience appear in English, Spanish, or French. The language that first appears will be the default language you selected. To choose one of the others, all a donor has to do is tap it in the upper-left corner.
Donors will then tap their preferred donation amount on the tablet screen.
Alternatively, they can also enter a custom amount of their choice.
If you have opted to ask donors to cover transaction fees, the screen below will appear.
As soon as they select or enter an amount and (if you have given them the option) have either opted to cover fees or not cover them, the app will send a request to the card reader. The card reader will beep and light up.
The app on your tablet will show the total donation (including transaction fees, if applicable) as well as instructions for the donor to tap, insert, or swipe their card. They may also tap their smartphone or smart watch using a digital wallet.
The donation will then be processed. Depending on the donation amount, the app may need to request a pin verification for the donor. Learn more about this on Stripe.
Once the donation is processed, the app will ask the donor to enter their email address and their first and last name to send a donation receipt. This also helps save their information in the Donorbox database that you can access later to build on this relationship.
Please note that the donor can choose not to enter these pieces of information if they wish. In that case, we have a progress bar at the top of the screen set to wait for 15 idle seconds and go back to the home screen.
Either way, you’ll still have this donation saved on the Donorbox database! If the donor does not enter their contact info, the gift will be saved with the email “” and the name “Supporter.” This helps you keep track of all donations made via your donation kiosk at your events or locations.
After the donor has entered their email address and name, they will be sent a donation receipt for their donation. If you customize the donation receipt template (as shown in the steps above), they will receive your custom version.
After the receipt is sent, the donor will see a confirmation screen with their receipt number, donation amount, and email displayed.
Boost in-person fundraising with Donorbox Live ™ Kiosk!
That’s it – simple and quick! Our goal here at Donorbox is to empower you to raise more with less effort so you can focus on helping those in need.
Learn more about Donorbox Live ™ Kiosk on our website. Plus, check out Donorbox’s wide range of additional features, integrations, and more, and sign up for free to start fundraising like a pro.
Want free resources to amp up fundraising and donor management efforts? Go to our Nonprofit Blog or check out the Donorbox Library. Subscribe to our blog newsletter to receive a handpicked collection of our best resources in your inbox every month!
Chirasree Bose is the Content Editor at Donorbox. Apart from editing and writing, what holds her interest the most is reading books. Chirasree loves to explore the world of fiction and has authored some books herself. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive the latest blogs, news, and more in your inbox.
Chirasree Bose