Discover everything you need to know about using QR codes to fundraise, including the best way to leverage them and how to create them.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!Over two-thirds of consumers have used QR codes at least once in the last year. Scanning those little square codes to pull up information and quickly connect with websites on mobile has become common practice – and using them for fundraising is easier than ever.
In this article, I’ll share how to use QR codes to ramp up your fundraising, along with everything else you need to know to use them effectively.
First, there are two types of QR codes you should know about. Here’s a quick look at them:
| Static QR Codes | Dynamic QR Codes |
|---|---|
| Straightforward, baseline codes. | Changeable, trackable codes. |
| Can’t be altered after creation. | URL can be altered after creation. |
| Don’t track data. | Track data like number of scans, location of scans, and device used for scanning. |
| Best use: Sending supporters to a single webpage that won’t change, like your donation page or a fundraising event page. | Best use: Long-term, evergreen code to be used on materials like business cards or signage that can’t be easily changed. |
| Cost: Free. | Cost: There are some limited free options available, but typically dynamic codes require a subscription charged as a monthly fee anywhere from $4 to $50. |
Generally, QR codes are safe. However, as with anything on the internet these days, there’s reason to be cautious.
Users should never scan QR codes from unknown or untrustworthy sources. Phishing, or getting someone to follow a malicious link, is possible with QR codes and is referred to as “quishing.”
To ensure your supporters always feel comfortable using your QR codes, include them on heavily branded materials so they know to trust your code and that the link is safe.
While QR codes are great for sharing general information via any link on your website, such as sharing your mission or vision statements, the real power of nonprofit QR codes comes with fundraising.
As an affordable option, QR codes are also powerful when leveraged correctly.
Use QR codes to:
Every step of the way, a QR code is a seamless way to connect supporters with ways to give or purchase tickets online.
But you may be wondering which mobile giving option is best for you. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between using QR codes and using Text-to-Give.
Both of these options offer quick, secure mobile giving. Platforms like Donorbox offer both tools, so you can ultimately test which works best for your audience.
But for the sake of comparison, here’s how these two options stack up:
| QR Codes | Text-to-Give |
|---|---|
| Method: Scan a QR code with a mobile phone camera and follow the link to an online donation form. | Method: Text a keyword to a number and receive a link to an online donation form. |
| Cost: Static QR codes are generally free. | Cost: Varies. Donorbox Text-to-Give starts at $19/month. |
| Pro: Easier for some donors; less time waiting for a text. | Pro: Donors are invested in completing a donation; easy to share at large or virtual events. |
| Con: Not great for areas with large groups of people where it might be too crowded to scan a code. | Con: Some donors might dislike sharing their phone number and going through the text process. |
How you plan to use QR codes doesn’t matter if you don’t place them in the best spots.
The goal of QR code placement is to make them visible, accessible, and convenient.
Around your headquarters or physical space, place them on:
During fundraising events, place them on:
For general fundraising, place them on:
For church fundraising, place them on:
And more. Check out this full guide on QR codes for churches for more ideas. Alternatively, use this guide on QR codes for masjids and Islamic charities.
The possibilities for placement are endless! Just ensure they’re visible and easy to scan.
Donorbox makes it easy to create a free QR code for every campaign you create. Your QR code takes your donors or potential donors to your donation form or Donorbox-hosted campaign page.
To access your QR code, go to your Donorbox dashboard. Navigate to your desired campaign and click on the edit icon to enter the campaign editor.
Within the “Campaign Details” tab, scroll down to the “Additional Settings” section.
To customize the size and format of your QR code before downloading it, select “View Code” > “Customize.”
Here, you can choose which link your QR code should direct to, adjust the size of your code, and choose your download format.
Create Your QR Code with Donorbox
Now you’re ready to download your nonprofit QR code! Hit the blue “Download” button and your code will automatically begin downloading.
Here are some best practices for using your QR code at your nonprofit events and beyond:
QR codes are a great way to engage more donors, but make sure you follow these tips to avoid potential frustration and ensure they are effectively utilized.
QR codes can amplify engagement and increase donations to your fundraising campaigns. They also streamline your information-sharing processes.
Donorbox makes it easy for you to connect with more donors and raise more funds by offering free QR codes for every campaign you create. Explore all Donorbox’s fundraising features and tools here.
If you haven’t already, sign up to start fundraising in minutes.
For more fundraising tips, visit the Nonprofit Blog. Subscribe to the monthly newsletter for an exclusive list of resources sent to your inbox.
Quick response codes (QR codes) are two-dimensional codes that people can quickly scan using their smartphones to visit a website, social media page, PDF, vCard, or unique landing page. Because the code is designed to take you to a specific digital place, it’s built around the link you want to direct people to and will take them there in one to two steps.
QR codes come in two forms: static and dynamic. Static QR codes can’t be changed and don’t track data. Dynamic QR codes track how many times and where they’ve been scanned, and allow you to update or change the URL.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!
