FAQs

a) All UK registered charities can use DONATE. Please go here to start your application.

b) Organisations who are not charities but meet any of the following charitable causes can work with DONATE subject to our agreement.

• The advancement of education for the public benefit
• The advancement of culture, art and heritage, including (but not limited to) music, the performance arts, the dramatic arts and literature, for the public benefit
• The relief of unemployment for the public benefit
• The relief of poverty for the public benefit
• The provision of facilities and/or services in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities and services by reason of their youth, age, or social and/or economic circumstances, with the object of improving their conditions of life and promoting social and community cohesion, for the public benefit

Please go here to start your application.

c) Overseas and UK organisations who do not meet one of the above charitable causes may be able to use DONATE subject to our agreement. Please contact us at hello@nationalfundingscheme.org

The National Funding Scheme is a registered charity (charity no: 1149800 and SC045106) set up in March 2013 with a clear objective - to enable any organisation with a charitable purpose to fundraise using digital technology. The NFS has developed a national tool of mobile giving - DONATE - which any organisation can adopt, thereby totally transforming the way the public can give to charitable causes. DONATE was originally launched across the arts sector and has over 350 partners in museums, galleries, heritage sites, theatres and performance centers. The NFS now supports charities from all sectors be it a school, church group, hospital, voluntary organisation or football team. .

Don’t forget that DONATE is a tool. As with any fundraising campaign, we have found that four factors are really key to a successful organisational ‘ask’:

• The selection of the cause itself. It should be specific, attainable, tangible and bite-size. We have found that causes in the £1k-£10k bracket work best.
• The promotion of the cause. Physical signage, emails, mailshots, auto-signatures, newsletters and print product should all reinforce the fundraising message.
• The location of signage is important. It needs to be placed in areas where potential donors are congregating, contemplating and are likely to be emotionally engaged with the ‘ask’.
• The ‘human marketing’ around the cause. Ensure your teams (front-of-house, volunteers, comms etc) understand the cause and how DONATE works. Use them to guide people through the process and to ask for support.

For more on how to promote and market your cause, see below.

Once registered with DONATE as partner organisation you can add a personalised message which will be sent out to your donors. Simply log in and go to My Causes. Click 'edit' on your chosen fundraising cause. From here you will be able to add text-based personalised messages to thank and engage with your donors. Your donors will receive one message within their browser directly after making a donation. A second message will appear as a follow-up email. Both messages will both appear above DONATE's standardised thank you message.

Once registered with DONATE your organisation will have access to our self-serve portal. This area gives you administration access over your organisation and campaigns, promotional material, options to further promote your campaign and real-time reports.

People

• Use your staff and volunteer base to help guide visitors/audiences through the donation process
• Place DONATE messaging on staff uniforms etc
• Get your talent involved in the ‘ask’ (performers/artists making requests)
• Special events (fundraising galas, awards dinners, auctions/raffles etc)

Physical

• Include DONATE codes and causes in printed materials (programmes, exhibition guides, flyers, T-shirts etc)
• Signage in venues, on external posters and banners etc
• On portable signage such as pop-up banners and stands
• Member/Friends magazines and communications

Digital

• Social media promotion (eg Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc)
• Embed DONATE button on your website
• Other links on your website
• Email auto-signatures
• E-newsletters
• Use links in apps
• References in audio guides
• Embed donation codes in video/film clips
• Promotional screens (foyer monitors, screens used during performances eg surtitles)
• Secured/curated tablet screens and info-terminals
• Gamification (digital treasure hunts etc)

Should questions arise you can email hello@nationalfundingscheme.org with any general enquiries or telephone our office number:
020 3174 2276.

You can go to the NFS website – www.don8.to – to discover more and help support the causes we’re already promoting. NFS can also provide people on site (Giving Guides) to help explain your cause, and how DONATE works, to visitors and audiences. We work with you to ensure they are appropriately briefed and attired. There may be an additional charge for this service.