How To Use QR Codes For Nonprofit Fundraising

Do you want to raise money for a nonprofit organization, which means you want to help a good cause like helping homeless people, supporting education, or protecting the environment? It’s great. To make it easier for people to donate to your cause, you can use something called a QR code. It can help you maximize donor engagement and reach your fundraising goal effortlessly.

What is a QR code for nonprofits?

A QR code is a special type of barcode that you can find on things like posters, flyers, or even on your phone or computer screen. It looks like a square filled with little random black and white squares, kind of like a puzzle. But this tiny code has the potential to maximize donations for your nonprofit. 

When someone sees a QR code, they can use their smartphone or tablet to scan it. Scanning means using a special app on their device that can read QR codes. This app acts like a translator, reading the information stored in the QR code and understanding what it means.

Now, when it comes to nonprofit fundraisers, a QR code can be really useful to make donating money easy. 

What are the types of QR codes for nonprofits?

Well, scanning a QR code can open up a relevant link, such as a donation page, event registration form, or information page. This brings us to the topic - QR code types. Let’s have a quick glance at them here. 

Donation QR codes

These QR codes directly link to a donation page where individuals can make a donation for nonprofit and charity. When someone scans the QR code, they are taken to a secure online platform where they can choose the donation amount and complete the transaction.

Event registration QR codes

Nonprofits often organize events like charity runs, galas, or workshops. Event registration QR codes allow people to quickly sign up for these events by scanning the code. The QR code may lead to a registration page where participants can view information about the event. They can then proceed to register for the event and confirm their attendance.

Volunteer recruitment QR codes

We know how relevant volunteers are for nonprofits. They are the backbone of fundraising events. Nonprofits often rely on volunteers to support their activities. Volunteer recruitment QR codes can be placed on flyers or posters to attract potential volunteers. Scanning the code directs individuals to a volunteer registration form or a page where they can learn more about volunteering opportunities and sign up for them.

Informational QR codes

Do you know that you can use QR codes to provide information to potential donors about your causes and nonprofit? This type of informational QR code provides additional information about the nonprofit's mission, projects, or impact. When scanned, it leads potential donors to websites, videos, or articles that offer more details about the organization's work. These QR codes are useful for raising awareness and educating the public about the nonprofit's cause.

Social media QR codes

Nonprofits can effectively use social media QR codes to increase their followers on social media. The QR codes can be used to encourage people to follow or share their content. When scanned, these QR codes take users directly to the organization's social media accounts, making it easy for them to connect, engage, and spread the word about the nonprofit.

Event-specific QR codes

The event-specific QR code is tailored to specific events or fundraising drives. Nonprofits can use it to provide information about the event, encourage supporters to register for the event, use survey forms, and collect donations. 

Campaign-specific QR codes

These QR codes can be used to track the success of a particular campaign, collect feedback, or provide campaign-specific information when scanned. The campaign-specific QR codes are generally used by the campaign organizers and supporters. 

The type of QR code depends on your fundraising goal. You can choose one or a combination of these types to support fundraising, increase awareness, and maximize engagement.

How to create or generate a QR code for nonprofits?

Generating a QR code for nonprofits is easy! Here’s a step-by-step process on how to create a QR code for your fundraiser. 

Step 1: Determine the purpose of the QR code

First, decide what the QR code will be used for. Identify whether it's for donations, event registration, volunteer recruitment, or any other specific purpose related to your nonprofit's goals.

Step 2: Choose a QR Code Generator

There are various free online QR code generators to help you create QR codes for your nonprofit. For instance, if you create your donation page on the custom fundraising software GivingX, you can access unlimited free integrations on Zapier. This tool has a lot of options for QR code generators. Choose one that suits your needs and has the features you require. 

Step 3: Select the QR code type

Once you've chosen a generator, look for the option to select the appropriate QR code type based on your purpose. Common types include URL, text, email, contact information, or payment.

Step 4: Enter the relevant information

Depending on the chosen QR code type, enter the necessary information. For example, if it's a donation QR code, provide the URL of your donation page. If it's a contact information QR code, fill in the relevant details, such as name, email, and phone number.

Step 5: Customize the QR code 

Many QR code generators offer customization options. You can modify the appearance of the QR code by choosing colors, adding a logo, or changing the design to make it more visually appealing and aligned with your nonprofit's branding.

Step 6: Generate the QR code

Once you've entered the required information and customized the QR code, click the "Generate" or "Create" button. The QR code will be generated based on your input.

Step 7: Test the QR code

It's crucial to test the QR code to ensure it works properly. Use a QR code scanning app on your smartphone to scan the code and verify that it leads to the intended destination, such as a donation page or event registration form.

Step 8: Download the QR code

After confirming that the QR code is functioning correctly, download it to your computer or device. Save it in a suitable format (e.g., PNG, JPEG) that allows for clear and high-resolution reproduction.
Once everything is done, it is time to use the QR code.  

Where to use QR codes for nonprofits?

QR codes can be placed in various locations to make them easily accessible to people. Here are some common places where you can put the QR code.

• Print materials

QR codes are commonly included in printed materials such as posters, flyers, brochures, and business cards. These materials can be distributed at events, posted in public spaces, or handed out to individuals.

• Websites and online platforms

QR codes can be generated and displayed on websites or online platforms. For example, if you have created an online donation page on the custom fundraising software GivingX, you can place the QR code on the page to encourage donations or volunteer sign-ups.

• Social media

Share the QR code on social media platforms to encourage followers to scan it for quick access to donation pages, event details, or other relevant content. 

• Signage

Incorporate QR codes into signs or banners displayed at events, in public spaces, or on the organization's premises. This allows passersby to scan the code and obtain more information or participate in a specific action related to the nonprofit. 

• Product packaging 

Nonprofits can partner with brands and place the QR code on product packaging. You can also do this if your nonprofit is involved in cause-related marketing or selling merchandise. This enables customers to scan the code and learn more about the nonprofit's mission, impact, and upcoming events, or encourage them to donate. 

• Email campaigns

Add the QR code to your email campaigns or newsletters. Recipients can scan the code to access additional content, register for events, or make donations directly from their smartphones.

Choose locations where the QR codes will be visible and easily accessible to the target audience. This way, people can conveniently scan the codes and engage with the nonprofit's content or take desired actions.

How to use a QR code for a fundraiser and maximize donations for your nonprofit?

Okay, let’s see how a QR code works. It can help you maximize donations for your nonprofit. 

Let's say you're organizing an event for your chosen nonprofit organization, like a bake sale, a charity run, or a school fundraiser. You create a poster or a flyer for your event and include a special donation QR code on it. When people see the poster or flyer, they can take out their smartphones and open the QR code scanning app. Then they can use the app to scan the QR code on the poster.

After scanning the donation QR code, the app will open a donation page or form on their phone or tablet. This page will have information about a way for people to make a donation for a nonprofit or charity.

The person who scanned the QR code can choose how much money they want to donate and complete the donation process right there on their phone. They might need to enter their payment details, like their credit card number, to make the donation.

Once the donation is completed, the money goes to the nonprofit organization, which they can use to support their cause.

Dos and don’ts of QR codes - Best practices to use the QR codes for nonprofits

Now that you know all about it, let’s proceed and see some of the best practices for using nonprofit QR codes.

Dos of QR codes for nonprofits

Do make sure the QR code is easily scannable: Ensure that the QR code is big enough and not distorted, so people can easily scan it with their smartphones without any trouble.

Do provide clear instructions: If you're using QR codes in print materials, include simple instructions like "Scan this code with your phone's camera to donate" next to the code to let people know how to scan it. 

Do test the QR code: Before using the QR code, scan it yourself with a QR code scanning app to make sure it leads to the correct webpage or action.

Do track and analyze: If possible, use a QR code generator that allows you to track the number of scans. This way, you can measure the effectiveness of your QR code campaigns.

Do incorporate QR codes strategically: Place QR codes in places where your target audience can easily notice and access them.

Don’ts of QR codes for nonprofits

Don't use QR codes without a clear purpose: Make sure you have a specific reason for using a QR code. Don't include them just for the sake of it. 

Don't overload the QR code with excessive information: QR codes are meant to be quick and convenient. Avoid adding too much information to the code itself.

Don't neglect mobile optimization: Ensure that the webpage or action associated with the QR code is mobile-friendly.

Don't forget to update and maintain your QR codes: If the information or webpage linked to the QR code changes, make sure to update it accordingly. 

By following these dos and don'ts, you can maximize the effectiveness of QR codes for your nonprofit organization and create a positive user experience for those who engage with them.

Wrapping Up

A QR code is definitely useful to reach your fundraising goal. Incorporate them into a broader strategy to reach your audience effectively. Use the custom fundraising software GivingX to create an online donation page or form. Generate a QR code for this donation page and share it on social media, emails, and websites. Print them on flyers and brochures to let people make a donation for nonprofit and charity.