How digital is the antidote to the ‘cost-of-giving’ fundraising crisis

When was the last time someone asked you ‘are you OK’? 

The truth is, many of us are not OK; we’re struggling in one way or another.

Nations are at war, there’s a climate crisis, the rising cost of living, post-pandemic mental health challenges, and more...

People need help, and that help often comes from charities.

Where’s the money? 

But how can charities help without funds to operate? And how can people give when the expenses of daily life continue to rise and many families are struggling to make ends meet?

It’s understandable that many charities fear the cost-of-living crisis will lead to an ongoing ‘cost-of-giving’ crisis. 

And charities do need to mitigate against a funding shortfall, with digital fundraising consultants Enthuse finding that 55% of people’s financial situation makes it harder to donate.

But even so, people are still giving.

In its recent UK Giving Focus report, software providers Blackbaud, revealed that overall giving to charities rose by 4.2 per cent between 2021 and 2022. So even though we’re living in challenging economic times, generosity remains strong for the causes people support.

There is hope

And that hope is centred on how we use digital to make it easier for people to give and see the results of their giving.

According to Ioan Marc Jones writing for Charity Digital, ‘one key trend in 2023 will be income diversity, the need for charities to find various ways to raise funds, not simply relying on tried and tested (and often diminishing) channels.’

Traditional donation methods, such as direct mail campaigns, telemarketing, and face-to-face have become costly and time-consuming. But cashless and digital payment options, QR codes, donate buttons, and user-friendly website interfaces, make it easier for donors to give.

Embracing digital

With lower transaction costs and simplified processes, digital solutions provide convenient and seamless giving experiences for donors.

By embracing digital, charities can increase donor engagement, improve fundraising efficiency, and expand their reach. 

At the same time, donors benefit from greater transparency, the ability to track their impact, and convenient giving options that fit better with their lifestyle.

The digital giving landscape is continuously evolving. Charities must embrace these changes, keep abreast of new trends and innovations, and adapt to stay ahead. Those who do are more likely to meet their funding goals and impact more people.

Here at Wild SEO Agency, we love digital and we care about you (what a combo!).

If you’re not ‘OK’, and want to talk about your digital strategy, and particularly making your online giving experience better for your donors, we’d love to chat. We’re experts in this area, so you can trust us.