Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the DONATE fundraising platform.
How do I track donations and manage my account?
An online portal is made available to all registered organisations. Within the portal you can get reports of recent donations, set-up/activate/de-activate campaigns, manage text and web responses and much more.
Where do I find marketing materials, logos and templates?
The Promoting your Campaign webpage (https://www.nationalfundingscheme.org/promotion/) provides tips, advice and links to logos and further information.
What are your standard fees?
Per transaction fees vary by type: Charities pay 4.5% (+22p per web donation) for web & SMS without Gift Aid, 40% of Gift Aid (+22p per web donation) for Gift Aided, and 2.95% for contactless. Non-charities pay 5% (+22p per web donation) without Gift Aid, 100% of Gift Aid (+22p per web donation) for Gift Aided, and 5% for contactless. An outpayment charge (greater of £3 or 0.5% for charities, £3 or 1.5% for non-charities) plus a fixed £7.50 overhead charge applies.
You can find a fee comparison here
You can find a fee comparison here
What is a Team Activity?
A team fundraising page under a charity's cause. Members fundraise together with a shared team page and individual pages. Donations roll up to the team and the charity.
What is a raffle on DONATE?
A prize draw fundraiser for your charity. Supporters buy tickets online or by text, and winners are picked at random after the draw date.
What is an auction on DONATE?
A live online fundraiser where supporters bid on donated lots. Whoever has the highest bid when a lot closes wins the item, and the proceeds go to the charity.
What is Tap to DONATE?
A contactless donation device for your charity. A supporter taps a card, phone, or watch on the reader and a preset donation amount goes straight to your cause.
What is Text to DONATE?
A way for supporters to give using a text message. They send a short keyword to one of our 07*** numbers and a fixed amount is charged to their mobile bill or pay as you go balance, going straight to your charity.
What are Web Donations?
Donations made online through a charity's DONATE page. Supporters pick an amount, pay in a few taps, and the money goes straight to the cause.
What is the National Funding Scheme (NFS)?
National Funding Scheme is a registered charity (charity no. 1149800 and SC045106) set up in March 2013 with the clear objective of enabling any organisation with a charitable purpose to fundraise using digital technology. NFS has developed a national tool of mobile giving, DONATE™, which any charitable organisation can adopt, transforming the way the public can give to charitable causes.
Who can register for a DONATE™ account?
All UK registered charities, excepted charities and exempted charities can use DONATE™. Religious bodies, CASCs, land trusts, CICs, CIOs and other incorporated bodies that meet certain charitable objectives can also register. Unincorporated charitable associations can join by registering as a non-charity. Individuals cannot register directly and need to find a permitted body to accept donations. Overseas and UK organisations not meeting charitable criteria may still be able to use DONATE™ subject to agreement.
How and when will my organisation be paid?
Payments are made monthly from reconciled donations received 3 months previously and include collected Gift Aid. For example, donations made in April will be paid out in July. Payments are held over until the amount owing is at or above £100 (or closure of your account). Text providers make payments every 60-90 days and funds are released once received, audited and settled.
Auction fees
Charity auctions: 4.5% + 22p on hammer price or starting bid value (whichever is higher) and 45% of Gift Aid when applicable. Non-charity auctions: 5% + 22p on hammer price. Listing charges may be incurred for auctions with more than 30 lots. If the value of all starting lots is less than £1500, a charge of £100 is made for setting up the online auction.
How secure is your payment platform?
All donations via SMS text are added to the donor's phone-bill, meaning no credit or debit card details are required. For payments made via app or contactless, all credit/debit card details are held by Barclaycard SmartPay or PayPal. Both are PCI-compliant and no credit/debit card details are ever held by NFS.
Where does the money go when a donation is made?
A donation, including any gift aid, is made to a separated bank account belonging to the National Funding Scheme (a charity registered in England and Scotland) and indicates the campaign the donor is supporting. This will be paid across to the relevant charitable organisation subject to the terms of the Affiliation Agreement.
Additional costs
If you have bespoke requests there may be additional charges. A breakdown of event-specific fees (rental of iPads, staffing etc) is available in the Affiliation Agreement.
Can someone give any amount via DONATE™?
Supporters can donate £3, £5, £10, £20, £30 and £40 by text. Any amount (above £1) can be given by web without an upper limit. Contactless units currently have a minimum of £1 and a limit of £40 per transaction or no upper limit when using the chip+PIN facility.
How is Gift Aid collected?
National Funding Scheme collects and then passes across to the charity any due Gift Aid. Gift Aid increases the value of a donation by allowing UK taxpayers to reclaim basic rate tax (20%) on their gift, meaning a £10 donation is worth £12.50. Higher-rate taxpayers can also receive back up to 31.5% through a tax reclaim. Donors must register for Gift Aid when giving through DONATE™, and Gift Aid will then be collected on all future donations.
How is data used?
National Funding Scheme is GDPR compliant and registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (reg. no. Z353234X). Donor email addresses are obtained to send thank you messages and receipts. Credit/debit card details are held by Barclaycard SmartPay or PayPal (PCI-compliant). Donors can opt to share their information with NFS, the receiving organisation, and/or all DONATE™ organisations. NFS produces statistical reports and case studies but no personal data is ever revealed.
Who can set one up?
Both charities (from their portal) and donors (via easydonate.org). Charity-created activities go live instantly; donor-created ones need a quick approval from the charity.
Do we need a licence to run one?
Yes. You'll need a "society lottery" liceince which you can get from your local council, it costs between £20 and £40 and is valid for 1 year.
What kinds of auctions can we run?
Silent auctions that run over days or weeks, live auctions tied to a specific event evening, and hybrid auctions that open online in advance and finish at a gala. The platform handles all three.
Where can we use it?
Anywhere there are supporters: inside a church or venue, at a fete or fundraising event, on a reception desk, at a gala dinner, on a market stall, or at a sports ground.
What payment methods are supported?
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, and Direct Debit. Supporters pick whichever is easiest for them.
What is DONATE™?
DONATE™ is the mobile platform and public facing brand of NFS. Wherever people see the DONATE™ sign, they can support that campaign digitally using their phone or tablet. DONATE™ combines contactless, SMS texting, Near Field Communication, QR codes and web apps into one simple platform, letting supporters donate through one recognised brand via multiple channels.
How do I join DONATE™?
Just click the Get started button top right of this page.
How do I make my campaign a success?
Key factors: Select a specific, attainable, tangible and bite-size cause (£1k-£10k bracket works best). Promote the cause through physical signage, emails, mailshots, auto-signatures, newsletters and print. Use QR codes to signal interaction with supporters. Place signage where potential donors congregate and are emotionally engaged. Ensure your teams (front-of-house, volunteers, comms) understand the cause and how DONATE™ works.
Selecting a strong campaign keyword
The platform is highly configurable. An auto-generated campaign keyword is provided for each new campaign but you can request a change to something more relevant. Recommended: a word that is specific and descriptive (e.g. CANTEEN, APRONS, MUGS). To request a new keyword, go to your portal > My Campaigns > Edit > Request a new code.
Can I leave a personalised message for donors?
Once registered, partner organisations can add a personalised message sent to donors. Log in and go to My Causes, click 'edit' on your chosen cause. You can add text-based personalised messages to thank and engage with donors. Donors receive one message in their browser after donating and a second as a follow-up email, both appearing above DONATE's standardised thank you message.
How do I administrate my campaigns?
Once registered, your organisation has access to a self-serve portal providing administration access over your organisation and campaigns, promotional material, options to further promote your campaign, and real-time reports. A dedicated video is available at http://vimeo.com/257950426.
How should I promote my causes?
DONATE™ provides a range of tools. People: use staff and volunteers, get talent involved, hold special events. Physical: include codes in printed materials, use signage in venues and on banners, use portable signage, include in member magazines. Digital: social media, embed DONATE™ button on website, email auto-signatures, e-newsletters, links in apps, references in audio guides, embed codes in video clips, promotional screens, and gamification.
Can I set up a team activity for a charity I support?
Yes. Pick any UK charity. We verify it against the Charity Commission register if they are not already on the platform. The charity approves it, then your page is live.
What are the prize and ticket limits?
A society lottery registered with a local authority can have ticket sales of up to £20,000 per draw and £250,000 per year.
How many lots can we have?
As many as you like. Each auction event holds multiple lots, each with its own description, images, starting bid, and reserve.
Does it need Wi-Fi?
No. The device uses mobile data (SIM included) so it works anywhere there is a phone signal. Wi-Fi is supported too if you prefer to use it.
What is a keyword?
A short word assigned to your cause (e.g. HOPE, ROOF, SAVE). Supporters text the keyword to 070** to make a donation to that specific cause.
Code that are generic, or we deem to be desirable, are considered 'premium' and carry the following charges:
£20 for 3 months
£35 for 6 months
£60 for 12 months
Code that are generic, or we deem to be desirable, are considered 'premium' and carry the following charges:
£20 for 3 months
£35 for 6 months
£60 for 12 months
Can supporters use Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Yes. On a supported phone or watch, a single tap with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode completes the donation. No card entry needed.
How are donations made?
NFS provides a cloud based fundraising platform. Partner organisations promote and encourage giving through digital devices. Supporters can give by tapping a contactless tap+DONATE™ box, sending a text message to our UK shortcode, or visiting the DONATE™ website on a phone (directly or by scanning a QR code) and paying via Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, credit or debit card.
I'm a charity, what do I need to register?
Your charity number (if applicable), a signed bank account statement not more than 3 months old, a primary contact name and email, and basic details about your organisation. If your charity is under 2 years old, we'll also need copies of your recent accounts and possibly a business plan.
What activities work?
Anything with a shared goal: runs, cycles, walks, swims, skydives, bake-offs, quiz nights, school events, memorial pages, birthday fundraisers.
How much are tickets?
You set the ticket price when you create the raffle. Once the ticket price as been set and a ticket has been bought, it can then no longer be changed.
How do supporters bid?
They open the auction page on any phone or computer, log in (or create a quick account), and tap Bid. Bids update in real time for everyone watching the lot.
How much does a donation cost the supporter?
Whatever amount you set. Devices typically offer one preset amount (e.g. £5) with an optional second tap for a larger amount, or a choice screen with three or four amount options.
Can we pick our own keyword?
Yes. Request any keyword in the portal. If it is available we will assign it to your cause. If it is taken we will suggest alternatives.
Is PayPal supported?
Yes. Supporters can pay by PayPal balance, bank account, or saved card through the PayPal checkout.
Can I find out more?
Visit www.easydonate.org to see the campaigns being supported, or email hello@nationalfundingscheme.org with any general enquiries.
I'm not a charity, can I register?
Yes, we do accept non-charites as well. You will need to provide 2 signed references, 2 years of accounts and a signed bank statement. If you are less than 2 years old we will ask you for your business plan as well.
Why are they good for charities?
Peer-to-peer fundraising outperforms direct appeals. Supporters fundraise in your name, under your brand, on your cause.
How do supporters buy tickets?
Supporters can buy 1 or many tickets online or by text message. You can promote your raffle via a text short code and or QR code, that will take supporters to your dedicated raffle web page that lists all regulatory information and the prizes on offer.
Is the bidding really live?
Yes. New bids push to every viewer instantly over a WebSocket connection, so the lot page refreshes itself the moment someone bids. No need to reload.
Can one charity have multiple keywords?
Yes. You can run different keywords for different campaigns, events, or appeals at the same time. Each reports separately in the portal.
Can supporters pay by Direct Debit?
Yes, for recurring donations. Direct Debit is ideal for monthly giving because the fees are the lowest of any payment method.
How long does approval take?
Most applications are approved within 2 to 5 working days. Newer organisations or applications that need extra documents can take up to a week.
Why are they good for donors?
You get a personal page, QR code, and one-tap sharing. Fundraise solo or rally a team. Each member has their own total plus a combined team total.
Can supporters enter by text?
Yes. Each raffle gets a keyword. A supporter texts the keyword to buy a ticket; the fee is charged to their mobile bill or pay-as-you-go balance.
What amounts can supporters give?
The amounts can be set to: £1, £2, £3, £5, £10, £20, £30 or £40.
Do supporters need an account?
No. Donating is guest friendly, no sign up or login required. Supporters who want a donation history can optionally create a free account.
What documents do I need to upload?
Latest annual accounts (or budget if under two years old), a signed bank statement, and your registered address. Non charities also need two references. Everything can be uploaded directly in the portal, no post or email needed.
Does it cost anything?
No. The charity covers the usual transaction fees. There is no charge to set up or run an activity.
Is Gift Aid available on raffle tickets?
No. HMRC does not allow Gift Aid on raffle or lottery purchases because the buyer receives something in return (the chance to win). Donations made alongside a ticket purchase can be Gift Aided.
What is a reserve price?
The minimum the charity is willing to accept. If no bid meets the reserve by the close time, the lot does not sell and the charity can relist it.
How does Gift Aid work on a tap?
No, Gift Aid can not be added at the PoS.
Can supporters give more than £10 per text?
Up to £40 per day can be donated by text. For larger amounts, donors can use your donations page and donate via credit card without a limit.
Can I make a one off or a monthly donation?
Both. Every donation page offers a toggle between a single donation and a recurring monthly donation. Recurring donors can pause, change, or cancel at any time.
What happens after I submit the application?
Our compliance team reviews your details and documents. You will receive an email confirming approval, or a request for further information if anything is missing. Once approved, you can log in and start setting up your first campaign.
How do donations reach the charity?
Donations are credited to the team member, roll up to the team total, and into the charity's campaign total. The charity is paid out as normal.
How are winners picked?
The draw runs on the scheduled date using a cryptographically random picker. Winners are selected automatically from all valid tickets sold before the cut-off and alerted via either text or email depending on how they entered.
How are lots closed?
Each lot has a scheduled close time. At that moment the lot closes automatically, the highest bidder becomes the winner, and notifications go out to the winner and the charity.
Do supporters need an app?
No. No app, no account, no login. Tap, your credit card, choose your amount and DONATE.
Can supporters add Gift Aid?
Yes. The Gift Aid declaration is one tick on the donation form. Once declared, the charity reclaims an extra 25% from HMRC at no cost to the supporter.
Is there a legal agreement?
Yes. All organisations using DONATE™ need to agree to the terms and conditions. There are separate Affiliation Agreements for charities and non charities, both available on the NFS website.
Do donations get Gift Aid?
Yes. Same as any other donation on the platform.
Can we add multiple prizes?
Yes. Add as many prizes as you like, each with its own description, image, and rank (first prize, second prize, etc.). The draw assigns winners to prizes in order.
What cards and phones are supported?
Any contactless debit or credit card, plus Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and contactless smartwatches.
Is there VAT to pay?
No. Charity donations sent via the 070*** shortcode are exempt from VAT.
Is there a minimum donation?
Yes, £1. There is no upper limit (subject to the limits of the payment method used).
Is there a registration fee?
No. Registration is free. There is no setup fee and no monthly fee. You only pay the low transaction fees on donations received.
Does the charity have to approve it?
Only if a donor created it. Most charities approve within a day or two. You are notified when it is live.
How are winners notified?
Winners get an automatic email and SMS as soon as the draw completes. They also appear on the raffle page with their ticket number (first name and initial only for privacy).
How do winners pay?
Winners are sent a secure payment link by email and SMS as soon as the lot closes. They pay by card through the normal DONATE checkout.
What is the maximum donation per tap?
Card contactless limits apply (currently £100 per tap in the UK). For higher amounts the supporter can tap and authenticate with their phone or watch.
Can supporters add Gift Aid?
Yes. After donating, supporters receive a confirmation text with a link to add Gift Aid in one tap. Once declared, Gift Aid is applied retroactively and to any future text donations from the same mobile number.
Can I cover the transaction fees?
Yes. The donation form offers an optional tick to add a small amount to cover the processing fees, so the charity receives the full donation amount.
Can we have more than one user on the account?
Yes. From the portal you can invite additional team members, set their role (admin or standard), and manage who can see what. You can add or remove users at any time.
Does the charity know who is fundraising?
Yes. Your name and email are visible in their portal. Donors only see what you choose to show publicly.
What if a winner cannot be reached?
You can redraw a single prize from the portal if the original winner does not claim it within your chosen window. The redraw uses the same random picker.
What happens after a winner pays?
The charity sees a paid lot in the portal with the winner's name, address, and contact details so the item can be shipped or arranged for collection.
How do we get a device?
Order one from the portal. We ship pre-configured and ready to use out of the box. You just power it on and start taking donations.
What happens after a supporter texts in?
They get an instant confirmation text with a thank-you message and a link to add Gift Aid. The donation appears in your portal within seconds, however on very rare occasions,due to network issues, donations can take a maximum of 48hrs to be procsses.
Is the payment page secure?
Yes. All card data is handled by a fully PCI DSS compliant payment processor. Card details never touch the charity's systems and are encrypted in transit.
Can individuals register a personal fundraising account?
Individuals cannot register directly, but you can fundraise for a charity that is on DONATE™ by setting up a Team Activity from easydonate.org. The charity receives the donations directly and approves the activity before it goes live.
How do I set one up (donor)?
Sign up, click New Activity, pick the charity, add team name, strapline, target, dates and cover image, invite teammates, and share your link.
Can we promote the raffle on our own website?
Yes. Every raffle has a shareable link and QR code. You can also embed the raffle page in your own site with a single line of embed code.
What if a winner does not pay?
The charity can mark the lot unpaid after a chosen window and offer it to the next highest bidder, or relist it.
How is the device powered?
Rechargeable battery with USB-C charging. A full charge lasts a full day of heavy use. You can also run it permanently plugged in.
Can we see donations in real time?
Yes. Every text donation appears in the portal immediately, with the keyword, amount, time, and the mobile network it came from.
Does the charity see my card details?
No. The charity only sees the donation amount, your name (if given), and your Gift Aid details (if declared). Card numbers are never shared.
Who do I contact if I have trouble registering?
Email hello@nationalfundingscheme.org and our team will help you through the process.
How do we set one up (charity)?
Portal, then Team Activities, then New Activity. Fill in the details, add members, toggle Live.
What fees do we pay?
The same low transaction fees as any other DONATE cause. No separate raffle fee, no per-ticket charge, no licensing fee from us.
Is Gift Aid available on auction winnings?
No. HMRC does not allow Gift Aid on the sale portion of an auction because the buyer receives something in return. Any top-up donation a bidder makes alongside their payment can be Gift Aided if they qualify.
Is it anonymous?
By default the charity does not see the supporter's phone number. If the supporter adds Gift Aid, their name and postcode are shared with the charity so you can claim the tax relief.
Can I donate in memory of someone?
Yes. The donation form has an optional message field for tribute donations, and the charity sees the message in their portal.
How do we approve a donor-created activity?
Open it in the portal, review the details, click Approve. Done.
How are funds paid out?
Raffle proceeds settle into your normal DONATE balance and are paid out on your usual schedule alongside other donations.
What fees do we pay?
The same low transaction fees as any other DONATE cause. No listing fees, no final-value fees, no per-lot charge.
Can we print a receipt?
The device shows a confirmation on screen. Supporters can enter their email on the follow-up screen to receive an emailed receipt. Printed receipts are available with optional receipt-printer accessories.
What does a supporter see on their phone bill?
A line for the donation amount under "charity donations" or similar, depending on the network. Pay as you go users see the balance deducted immediately.
Can I leave a public comment?
Yes. Supporters can choose to leave a public comment with their donation. Comments appear on the donation page with the donor's first name and amount.
Can I say why I am fundraising?
Yes. Fill in the "Reason for fundraising" field on your member profile. It appears on your page.
Can we run more than one raffle at a time?
Yes. You can have multiple raffles active at once, each with its own prizes, ticket price, draw date, and keyword.
How are funds paid out?
Auction proceeds settle into your normal DONATE balance and are paid out on your usual schedule alongside other donations.
Does it work with SumUp, Zettle, or card machines?
The DONATE device is purpose-built for donations, not a card terminal, and does not need one. It settles funds directly into your DONATE balance with no third-party processor.
Can supporters set up regular text giving?
Yes. Reply YES to the confirmation text to turn a one off donation into a monthly recurring donation of the same amount, charged to the same mobile bill.
Can I donate anonymously?
Yes. Untick the name checkbox at the end of the donation form and your donation appears as anonymous on public pages.
How do people donate to me?
Share your personal link (e.g. easydonate.org/D2311) or QR code. Anyone who donates via that link is credited to you.
Are there age restrictions?
Yes. Participants must be 18 or over. This is enforced on the purchase flow and required by Gambling Commission rules.
What fees do we pay?
The same low transaction fees as any other DONATE donation. No monthly device fee and no separate contactless surcharge.
How do we promote our keyword?
Use it on posters, service sheets, programmes, social media, radio ads, and event signage. The format "Text HOPE to 070***" is recognisable and easy to remember.
Do I get a receipt?
Yes. An emailed receipt is sent instantly on every successful donation, including the charity name, amount, date, and a unique transaction reference.
Why can't I edit my profile?
Once you have logged in, you own your profile. Admins can no longer edit your name, email, or photo.
Do we get a ticket sales report?
Yes. The portal shows live ticket sales, revenue, number of participants, and a full audit trail. After the draw you can export winners and ticket numbers for your records.
Can we embed the auction in our own website?
Yes. Each auction has embed code you can drop into any page on your own site. Live bidding works inside the embed too.
Is it secure?
Yes. Card data never touches the device. All payment data is handled by a fully PCI DSS compliant payment processor end to end.
What fees do we pay?
The same low transaction fees as any other DONATE donation. No setup fee, no per message charge, no monthly keyword rental.
What happens if a payment fails?
The supporter sees an error immediately and can try again with another method. No partial donation is taken and no money leaves the supporter's account.
What happens after the activity ends?
The page stays live so late donations still come in. Gift Aid is processed and the charity is paid out normally.
How long does it take to set up a raffle?
A simple raffle takes five minutes: name, ticket price, draw date, prizes, cover image. However, getting your licence from your local authority, while straight forward can take a little longer.
Do we get reports after the auction?
Yes. The portal shows live bidding activity during the auction and a full summary afterwards: total raised, number of bids, average lot price, winners list, and paid vs unpaid lots.
What happens if the device is lost or stolen?
Report it from the portal and we will deactivate it immediately. Because no card data is stored on the device, there is no data risk.
Does it work on smartphones and basic phones?
Yes. Text to 070** works on every UK mobile phone, from the newest iPhone to the oldest Nokia. No app, no internet, no account needed.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, within 60 days of donation. Contact the charity and they can process a refund from the portal. After 60 days refunds require contacting DONATE support.
Tips for raising more?
Share early, remind often in the final week, post photo updates in between, and thank every donor personally.
Can a raffle be cancelled?
No, once tickets have been purchased, there is no way to reimburse supporters. The raffle must be drawn and the prizes given out.
Can we cancel a lot or the whole auction?
Yes, before the close time. If you cancel, active bidders are notified by email and SMS and no payment is taken.
Can we lend a device to another charity?
No. Each device is registered to your charity and routes donations directly into your account. If a partner charity needs one, they can order their own.
How do we set up a keyword?
Request one from the portal. The portal will let you know if your chosen keyword is available and then you place the order. Code are normally live within a day or so.
What fees does the charity pay?
Low transaction fees that vary by payment method (Direct Debit is cheapest, PayPal slightly more, cards in between). There are no monthly fees and no setup fees.