Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the DONATE fundraising platform.
How do I track donations and manage my account?
Every registered organisation gets an online portal. In it you can see donations as they arrive, download reports and payout statements, set up campaigns, raffles, auctions and more, switch them live or off, and edit the thank-you messages donors see on screen and by email.
Where do I find marketing materials, logos and templates?
In the portal, open your campaign and click Promotion requirements to download the DONATE logos and copy the legal statement your materials must show. You can also download your campaign's QR code there. Step-by-step guides are at nationalfundingscheme.org/guides.
How do I install the DONATE portal on my phone?
There is nothing to download from an app store. The portal is a website, and your phone can add it to your home screen so it opens full screen with its own icon, just like an app.
On an iPhone or iPad
- Open the portal in Safari. This does not work in Chrome on an iPhone.
- Tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen: the square with an arrow pointing up out of it.
- Scroll down the list and tap Add to Home Screen.
- Tap Add in the top right. The DONATE icon appears with your other apps.
On an Android phone
- Open the portal in Chrome.
- Tap the three dots in the top right.
- Tap Install app, or Add to Home screen if you do not see it, then confirm.
On a computer
In Chrome or Edge, click the small install icon at the right-hand end of the address bar. In Safari on a Mac, choose File, then Add to Dock.
Why bother?
It opens in one tap without logging in through a browser each time, it fills the whole screen, and it is the only way to get alerts on an iPhone. Once it is on your home screen you can switch on alerts for new donations, statements and team challenge requests from My Profile in the portal.
What are your standard fees?
Fees are per donation and come off what we pay you. For registered charities, CASCs and CIOs a web or text donation carries either our fee or a share of the Gift Aid, never both. Without Gift Aid the fee is 4.5% + 22p. When the donor adds Gift Aid there is no percentage fee at all: you keep the whole donation less 22p, plus 60% of the Gift Aid, and our fee is the other 40% of the Gift Aid. Contactless donations are 2.95% + 22p. Other organisations pay 5% + 22p without Gift Aid. With Gift Aid, DONATE claims the Gift Aid as a charity and keeps it instead of the 5%, so only the 22p comes off the donation. Contactless donations are 5% + 22p. A usage fee of £3 applies in any week your donations reach £10, capped at £12 a month. Each payout carries a transfer charge of the greater of £3 or 0.5% (1.5% for other organisations), plus £7.50.
You can find a fee comparison here.
You can find a fee comparison here.
What is a team challenge?
A team challenge is a fundraising page under one of a charity's campaigns. Members fundraise together with a shared challenge page and their own personal pages. Donations count towards each member, the challenge and the charity's campaign.
What is a raffle on DONATE?
A prize draw fundraiser for your charity. Supporters buy tickets online or by text, and you draw the winners at random from your portal when you are ready.
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?
Tap to DONATE is a contactless card terminal for your organisation. A supporter chooses a preset amount and taps a card, phone or watch. The donation is recorded against your campaign and paid to you with your regular DONATE payouts.
What is Text to DONATE?
A way for supporters to give by text message. They text your campaign's code to one of our short numbers (each number is a fixed amount, e.g. 70970 for £5), and the amount is added to their mobile bill or taken from their pay as you go credit. The donation is paid out to you with your other DONATE donations.
What are Web Donations?
Donations made online through an organisation's DONATE page. Supporters pick an amount and pay in a few taps. The donation is made to National Funding Scheme, the charity behind DONATE, and paid on to the organisation in its regular payouts.
Can I make a one off or a monthly donation?
Both, on most donation pages, unless the organisation has turned monthly giving off. Monthly donors can cancel at any time from their account at easydonate.org. To change the amount, cancel and set up a new monthly donation.
What is the National Funding Scheme (NFS)?
National Funding Scheme is a registered charity (charity no. 1149800 in England and Wales and SC045106 in Scotland) with the clear objective of enabling any organisation with a charitable purpose to fundraise using digital technology. NFS has developed DONATE™, a national giving platform 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. Companies can open a corporate account to fundraise for the charities they support. 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.
Can I use DONATE with an AI assistant?
Yes. DONATE connects to Claude and other AI assistants that support MCP connectors. Your assistant can draft campaigns, raffles, team challenges and votes, and answer questions about your donations, monthly gifts and payouts in plain English. We switch the connector on for each organisation, so ask us and we will turn it on for yours. More at nationalfundingscheme.org/solutions/ai-fundraising.
How and when will my organisation be paid?
Payouts are made monthly, about three months after the donations: donations made in April are paid at the end of July. Each payout includes any Gift Aid due to you on those donations, less our fees and charges. A payout is held over until it reaches £100 (or your account closes). Text donations are paid on the same timetable as a separate payout, with their own £100 minimum.
Auction fees
Charity auctions: 4.5% + 22p on the winning bid. Gift Aid applies only to the amount paid above a lot's market value, and that amount pays 40% of its Gift Aid instead of the 4.5%. Non-charity auctions: 5% + 22p on the winning bid. There are no listing or set-up charges. The standard £3 usage fee applies in any week your donations reach £10, capped at £12 a month.
How secure is your payment platform?
All text donations are added to the donor's phone bill, so no card details are needed. Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Direct Debit payments are handled by Stripe, PayPal payments by PayPal, and contactless terminal taps by Paya. All are PCI-compliant, and no credit or 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 paid into a separate bank account belonging to the National Funding Scheme (a charity registered in England and Wales, and Scotland) and records the campaign the donor is supporting. It is paid to the organisation, less our fees, under 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™?
Yes. By web, supporters can give any amount from £1 with no upper limit, by debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal or Direct Debit. By text (SMS), donations are £1, £3, £5, £10, £20, £30 or £40.
How is Gift Aid collected?
National Funding Scheme claims Gift Aid from HMRC. For registered charities, CASCs and CIOs, 60% of it is paid to you with the donation and the other 40% is our fee, in place of the 4.5% donation fee, so a Gift Aided donation carries no percentage fee, only 22p. For other organisations, National Funding Scheme claims it as a charity and keeps it. Gift Aid adds 25% to an eligible donation at no cost to the donor, so a £10 donation is worth £12.50. Higher and additional rate taxpayers can claim back the difference between their rate and the basic rate through their tax return. Donors make a Gift Aid declaration when giving through DONATE™. Raffle tickets, votes and event tickets never qualify, and for an auction lot only the amount paid above its market value does.
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 used to send thank you messages and receipts. Card details are held by our payment providers, Stripe, PayPal and Paya (all PCI-compliant), never by NFS. The organisation a donor gives to sees their name unless the donor chooses to give anonymously. What else it sees is decided for each donation: it receives the email address and mobile number given with a donation once it has agreed to our updated terms. Until then, and for any donation made before 28 September 2026, it sees the email address only if the donor chose to share it on that donation, and never the mobile number. What a donor shares with one donation is never shared with their others. Auction and raffle winners, event ticket buyers and team challenge members always share their contact details with the organisation, so it can deliver the prize, ticket or event. Gift Aid home addresses stay with NFS and are only used to claim Gift Aid from HMRC. NFS produces statistical reports and case studies but no personal data is ever revealed. Full details are in our privacy policy.
Who can set one up?
Charities, from Challenges in their portal. Supporters can suggest one on easydonate.org from a charity's page, if the charity has switched on suggestions for that campaign. A challenge the charity creates goes live straight away once its campaign is live. One a supporter suggests goes public only when the charity approves it.
Do we need a licence to run one?
In most cases, yes. Register your organisation as a small society lottery with the local council where its main office is. It costs £40 to register and £20 a year after that. Raffles on DONATE sell tickets online, so they need this registration, and you add your registration number before the raffle can go live.
What kinds of auctions can we run?
Online auctions where supporters bid from their phones. Each lot closes at a set time, so an auction can run for days or weeks, or finish on the night of your event.
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.
Can supporters pay by Direct Debit?
Yes, for one-off and monthly donations. The organisation pays the same fee whichever payment method the supporter uses.
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™?
Create an account at https://portal.easydonate.org/signup, then complete registration in the portal: organisation details, your web page, documents, bank details and the affiliation agreement. Once you submit, you can set up and test campaigns while we review your application. We email you when you are live and can publish. Corporate accounts open as soon as registration is complete, and can publish once one of your charities has signed and we have approved it.
Can the AI publish anything without me?
No. Everything it creates is a draft. A fundraiser only goes live after you have seen exactly what will be published and confirmed it yourself. If your assistant changes a live fundraiser, you can ask it to undo that change.
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
Every new campaign gets a code automatically, and you can request a more relevant one. Short and specific works best. Real words (e.g. CANTEEN, APRONS, MUGS) are premium codes and are paid for. Other codes, like CANTEEN24, are free for 12 months. To request one, go to your portal > Campaigns > open the campaign > Request a custom code (next to your current code).
Can I leave a personalised message for donors?
Once registered, open Campaigns in the portal, choose your campaign and open Thank-you messages. You can set a web donation response, shown on screen after someone donates, and an email thank-you message. Your messages replace DONATE's standard thank-you text; the receipt details are added automatically.
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. Step-by-step guides are at nationalfundingscheme.org/guides.
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 challenge for a charity I support?
Yes, if the charity uses DONATE and accepts suggestions. Open the charity's page on easydonate.org and tap Start a fundraiser. Once the charity approves it, your page is public. If you do not see the button, the charity has not switched suggestions on.
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?
Both units have a built-in SIM and work anywhere with a phone signal. The Rent handheld can also use Wi-Fi. The Static unit does not connect to Wi-Fi.
What is a keyword?
A short word assigned to your campaign (e.g. HOPE, ROOF, SAVE). Supporters text it to one of our short numbers, such as 70970 for £5, to give to that campaign.
Codes that are real words or popular codes (such as NHS or LONDON) are 'premium' and carry the following charges:
£20 for 3 months
£35 for 6 months
£60 for 12 months
Any other code is free for 12 months and can be renewed free.
Codes that are real words or popular codes (such as NHS or LONDON) are 'premium' and carry the following charges:
£20 for 3 months
£35 for 6 months
£60 for 12 months
Any other code is free for 12 months and can be renewed free.
Can supporters set up regular text giving?
Yes, if your campaign allows monthly giving. After a one-off text of under £20, the supporter gets a text inviting them to give the same amount monthly by texting back a number. It is charged to the same phone each month, and they can text STOP at any time to cancel.
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 DONATE terminal or tap plaque, texting the campaign's code to the number for the amount they want to give, 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, a recent bank statement (not more than 3 months old) for the account we pay into, a primary contact name and email, and basic details about your organisation. The bank statement is the only document a registered charity uploads.
What can the AI see?
Only your own organisation's account, and only what you agree to share when you connect, so you can leave donor details out. Only your organisation's portal admins can connect, and you can disconnect at any time from your portal.
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 raffle has gone live, the ticket price can't be changed.
How do supporters bid?
They open the auction page on any phone or computer, enter their email or UK mobile number, accept the terms and tap Bid. No account or password is needed. Bids update in real time for everyone watching.
How much does a donation cost the supporter?
Whatever amounts you set. The Static unit offers up to three preset amounts from £1 to £30. The Rent handheld offers up to five preset amounts from £1 to £100, plus an "other" option.
Can we pick our own keyword?
Yes. Request a code on your campaign in the portal and it tells you straight away whether it is available. A free code is yours at once. A premium code (a real word) is yours as soon as you pay. If the code is taken, try another.
Is PayPal supported?
Yes, for one-off donations. Supporters can pay by PayPal balance, bank account, or saved card through the PayPal checkout. Monthly donations are by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Direct Debit.
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 accept organisations that are not registered charities, such as CICs, PTAs and community groups. You upload two signed references and a recent bank statement, plus your last two years of accounts. If you are less than two years old, upload a budget and a business plan instead of the accounts.
Does the AI connector cost extra?
No. The connector is included with your DONATE account. Anything you set up through it, such as a premium text code, is charged exactly as it would be in the portal.
Which payment methods work for monthly gifts?
Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Direct Debit on any donation page with monthly giving on, and text for gifts under £20. PayPal is for one-off gifts only. The organisation pays the same fee whichever method the supporter uses.
Why are they good for charities?
Supporters fundraise for you, under your name and branding, on your campaign. Each has their own page and code, so you reach their friends, family and colleagues.
How do supporters buy tickets?
Supporters can buy one or more tickets online, or by text if your ticket price is a text amount (£1, £3, £5, £10, £20, £30 or £40). Promote your raffle with its link, its QR code and its text code. The link and QR code open your raffle page, which shows all the 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.
How long does approval take?
We review applications once every section is complete, and email you as soon as you are live. Corporate accounts open as soon as registration is complete.
Can I export my data?
Yes. Your donations download from the portal as a CSV with each donation's amount, date, campaign and Gift Aid value. Auction results, ticket holders, team challenge members and payout statements download too. Gift Aid declarations and home addresses stay with us for HMRC and are never exported.
Can monthly donors manage their own giving?
Yes. They can cancel at any time from their account at easydonate.org, or text STOP for a monthly text gift. To change the amount, they cancel and set up a new monthly gift.
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, if your ticket price is £1, £3, £5, £10, £20, £30 or £40. Each raffle has its own text code. Supporters text the code to the number for your ticket price, and can add a number after the code to buy several tickets. The cost goes on their mobile bill or pay-as-you-go balance.
What amounts can supporters give?
Each amount has its own short number: £1, £3, £5, £10, £20, £30 or £40. Every campaign takes £1, £3 and £5, plus its own amount on 70191 (£10 unless you set another); £20, £30 and £40 can be added for a one-off £50 per campaign.
Do supporters need an account?
No. Supporters just give an email for their receipt, with no password or sign up. To see past donations, download receipts or cancel a monthly donation, they can sign in at easydonate.org/login with a code we send them.
What documents do I need to upload?
Registered charities upload a recent bank statement. Other organisations upload two signed references and a recent bank statement, plus two years of accounts, or a budget and a business plan if they are under two years old. Companies opening a corporate account upload nothing. Everything is uploaded in the portal, with no post or email needed.
Is there an API for our own systems?
Yes. A read-only data API gives your own systems your fundraisers, donations, monthly gifts and payouts, using keys your portal admins create and can revoke. It is switched on for each organisation on request. The documentation is at api.easydonate.org/docs.
Does it cost anything?
Setting up and running a team challenge is free. Donations carry the charity's usual platform fees, plus the £3 usage fee in any week donations reach £10 (at most £12 a month). If the charity sets an entry fee, entrants pay it to join.
Is Gift Aid available on raffle tickets?
No. HMRC does not allow Gift Aid on raffle or lottery tickets because the buyer receives something in return (the chance to win). Supporters who want to Gift Aid a gift can make a separate donation to one of your campaigns.
What is a reserve price?
The lowest amount you will accept for a lot. If no bid reaches the reserve by the closing time, the lot is not sold automatically. You can still choose to accept the highest bid from the portal, which sends that bidder a payment link.
How does Gift Aid work on a tap?
Gift Aid cannot be added to a contactless tap. The terminal takes no donor details, so tapped donations are recorded without Gift Aid.
Can supporters give more than £10 per text?
Yes, once you unlock the higher amounts: £20, £30 or £40 per text, for a one-off £50 per campaign. Mobile networks set their own spending limits, so for larger gifts supporters can give by card on your donation page.
What happens after I submit the application?
We review your details and documents, and you can set up campaigns in the portal meanwhile. When you are approved we email you to say you are live, and you can then publish. If we need anything else, we will be in touch.
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?
You run the draw from your portal when you are ready, and you can do test draws first that notify nobody. Winners are picked at random from all paid tickets. Each winner is told by email, or by text if they only gave a mobile number.
How are lots closed?
Each lot has a closing time. Within a minute of it, the highest bidder becomes the winner (if the reserve is met) and is sent a payment link by email or text, matching how they bid. You can follow every lot's status live in the portal.
Do supporters need an app?
No. No app, no account, no login. Choose an amount on the device, tap a contactless card, phone or watch, and DONATE.
Can supporters add Gift Aid?
Yes, where the organisation takes Gift Aid. UK taxpayers tick Gift Aid and give their name, house name or number and postcode. National Funding Scheme, the charity behind DONATE, then claims an extra 25% from HMRC at no cost to the supporter.
Is there a legal agreement?
Yes. Every organisation agrees to DONATE's terms in the portal as the last step of registration. Charities and other organisations each have their own Affiliation Agreement, and corporate accounts agree to the Fundraising Partner Terms. The Affiliation Agreements are also 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 name, image and position (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 and contactless watches.
Is there VAT to pay?
No. Donations by text are not subject to 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, with no setup fee or subscription. You pay fees on donations received, a £3 usage fee for each week your donations reach £10 (at most £12 a month), and a transfer charge on each payout (the greater of £3 or 0.5%, or 1.5% for other organisations, plus £7.50). Weeks below £10 carry no usage fee.
Does the charity have to approve it?
Only if a supporter suggested it. It stays hidden until the charity approves it in their portal. Approval is up to the charity, so contact them if it is taking a while.
How are winners notified?
Winners are told automatically when you run the draw: by email, or by text if they only gave a mobile number. The winning ticket numbers also appear on the raffle page. Names are not shown.
How do winners pay?
Winners get a secure payment link by email or text (matching how they bid) shortly after the lot closes. They pay by card on a secure DONATE payment page.
What is the maximum donation per tap?
The Static unit takes up to £30 per tap. The Rent handheld takes contactless up to £100, and the supporter can insert their card and enter a PIN for more.
Can supporters add Gift Aid?
Yes, for campaigns that take Gift Aid. The thank-you text includes a link where the supporter adds their name and home address to declare Gift Aid on that donation. The link works for 7 days. Once declared, future text donations from the same mobile number carry Gift Aid automatically. Raffle entries and votes never carry Gift Aid.
Can I cover the transaction fees?
Yes. Before paying, supporters can add an optional tip, suggested at the size of the fee. The tip covers the fee, so if it is enough the organisation receives the full donation. Any tip above the fee helps run DONATE.
Can we have more than one user on the account?
Yes. Under Portal Users you can add team members by name and email, and switch any user off at any time. Every user has the same access; there are no separate roles.
Does the charity know who is fundraising?
Yes. The charity can see your name and email address in their portal. The public only sees what you choose to show on your page.
What if a winner cannot be reached?
You can redraw a single prize from your portal. A new winner is picked at random from the same draw, and you can then send them their winner's message.
What happens after a winner pays?
Once a lot closes, the portal shows the winner's contact details (the email or mobile number they bid with, and their name if we have it), and marks the lot as paid when they pay, so you can arrange delivery or collection.
How do we get a device?
Complete the Static or Rent order form and email it to hello@nationalfundingscheme.org. Units arrive configured for your cause: plug the Static in, or switch the Rent on, and start taking donations.
What happens after a supporter texts in?
They get a thank-you text with a link to add Gift Aid (where your campaign takes it), make the donation anonymous or get help. The donation shows in your portal once the network confirms the charge, usually within a minute or two. Rarely, network delays mean it can take up to 72 hours.
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 an organisation account, but you can fundraise for an organisation on DONATE by starting a team challenge from its page on easydonate.org, where the organisation allows it. The organisation approves your challenge before it goes live, and the donations are paid to the organisation.
How do I set one up (donor)?
Go to the charity's page on easydonate.org, tap Start a fundraiser and choose Suggest a new activity. Add the activity name, your motivation and your details. Once the charity approves it, log in to easydonate.org to add a cover photo, target and dates, invite teammates and share your link.
Can we promote the raffle on our own website?
Yes. Every raffle has a shareable link and a QR code that you can put on your website, social media, posters and emails.
What if a winner does not pay?
Unpaid lots show as Not paid in the portal, where you can resend the payment link with one click. Lots are not offered to the next highest bidder automatically.
How is the device powered?
The Static unit runs from mains power. The Rent handheld has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 10 hours per charge.
Can we see donations in real time?
Yes. Each text donation appears in the portal once the network confirms it, usually within a minute or two, with the campaign code, amount and time.
Does the charity see my card details?
No. Card details are handled by our payment processors and never reach the organisation. It sees the amount, date and any Gift Aid value, plus your name unless you donate anonymously. It receives the email address and mobile number you give with a donation once it has agreed to our updated terms; for a donation made before 28 September 2026, only an email address you chose to share. Your Gift Aid home address stays with us for HMRC.
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 Challenges, then New team challenge. Choose the campaign it raises for, fill in the details and add or invite members. It is live straight away if its campaign is live. Use the Live switch to take it offline or put it live.
What fees do we pay?
The same low transaction fees as any other DONATE cause, charged per purchase, not per ticket. There is no separate raffle fee. The standard £3 usage fee applies to any week your donations reach £10, capped at £12 a month. £20, £30 and £40 text prices need a one-off £50 unlock.
Is Gift Aid available on auction winnings?
Yes, on part of it. Gift Aid can be claimed only on the amount a winner pays above the lot's market value, because that part is a donation. If no market value is recorded for a lot, Gift Aid is not offered.
Is it anonymous?
You do not see the mobile number a supporter texts from. If they add Gift Aid through the link in their thank-you text, their name shows on that donation, and once your organisation has agreed to our updated terms, so do the email address and mobile number they give there. Their home address stays with us for the Gift Aid claim and is not shared with you. The same link lets them make the donation anonymous.
Can I donate in memory of someone?
There is no separate in memory option, but after paying you can leave a message for the organisation, for example naming the person you are remembering. The organisation sees it in its portal, and you choose whether it also shows on the fundraising page.
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?
4.5% (charities) or 5% (other organisations) + 22p on each winning bid paid. Where Gift Aid is claimed on the amount paid above a lot's market value, that amount pays 40% of its Gift Aid instead of the 4.5%. No listing fees, no per-lot charges, no set-up fee.
Can we print a receipt?
The device shows a confirmation on screen. DONATE does not send its own receipt for a contactless tap.
What does a supporter see on their phone bill?
The donation appears on their bill, or is taken from their pay as you go credit, as a charged text. How it is labelled depends on the network. Gifts of £20, £30 or £40 show as two, three or four £10 charges.
Can I leave a public comment?
Yes. After paying you can leave a message and choose whether it shows on the fundraising page. Campaign pages show the message and amount from "A supporter", without your name. The organisation can turn comments off.
Can I say why I am fundraising?
Yes. Log in to easydonate.org, open Activities, tap Edit profile and fill in "Your motivation for fundraising". It appears on your page under "Why I'm fundraising".
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?
No. Tap to DONATE terminals are supplied and set up by DONATE, so you don't need SumUp, Zettle or your own card machine. Payments are processed by our payment partner and paid to you with your regular DONATE payouts.
Can I donate anonymously?
Yes. Before you pay, tick "Give anonymously". Your name and contact details are then kept from the organisation and off public pages. You can also make a past donation anonymous from My donations at easydonate.org, or within 8 days from the link in your receipt email.
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. Entrants must be 16 or over, which is the legal minimum age for society lotteries. As the organiser, make sure you don't sell tickets to anyone younger.
What fees do we pay?
Contactless donations cost 2.95% + 22p for registered charities (5% + 22p for other organisations), lower than our standard charity rate. Device, SIM and any monthly charges are on the order form. The standard £3 usage fee applies to any week your donations reach £10, capped at £12 a month.
How do we promote our keyword?
Use it on posters, service sheets, programmes, social media, radio ads and event signage, in the format "Text HOPE to 70970 to donate £5". Every promotion must show the cost note directly underneath ("Texts cost £5 + standard network rate"), our legal statement and a DONATE logo. The portal gives you the exact wording.
Do I get a receipt?
Yes. When a donation goes through and we have your email, we email a thank you with the amount, date and campaign, and a link to download a PDF receipt from your account.
Who can change my name, email and photo?
Your name, email and mobile belong to your account, so only you can change them (email and mobile from your profile, confirmed with a code). Organisers can set your photo only until you first log in.
Do we get a ticket sales report?
Yes. Your portal shows tickets sold, money raised and the full list of tickets. After the draw, the winning ticket for each prize is shown on your raffle page.
Can we embed the auction in our own website?
There is no embed code for auctions. Link to your auction page from your website, or add its QR code to your pages and printed materials.
Is it secure?
Yes. Card payments are processed end to end by our PCI DSS compliant payment partner. DONATE never receives or stores card details.
What fees do we pay?
The same fees as any other DONATE donation: 4.5% for charities or 5% for other organisations, plus 22p per donation. When Gift Aid is added, the fee is 40% (charities) or 100% (other organisations) of the Gift Aid plus 22p instead. No setup fee and no per message charge. Standard codes are free; premium codes and the £20, £30 and £40 amounts cost extra. The standard £3 usage fee applies to any week your donations reach £10, capped at £12 a month.
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 a few minutes: name, ticket price, draw date, organiser and prizes. You'll also need your lottery registration number from your local council, which is straightforward to get but can take a little longer.
Do we get reports after the auction?
Yes. The portal shows bids live as they come in, with the amount raised and how many lots are paid. You can download a report listing each lot's number of bids, highest bid, status, winner contact, payment and Gift Aid.
What happens if the device is lost or stolen?
Email hello@nationalfundingscheme.org straight away and we will deactivate it.
Does it work on smartphones and basic phones?
Yes. Texting 70970 (or any of our numbers) works on any phone that can send a text, from the newest smartphone to the oldest basic phone. No app, internet or account needed. A few contracts that block charged texts (some business, children's or international SIMs) cannot give by text.
Can I get a refund?
Donations are gifts, so they are not normally refunded. If something went wrong, such as a mistaken amount, email hello@nationalfundingscheme.org and we will look at it. Organisations cannot refund donations from the portal.
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?
You can take a raffle off air in your portal at any time to stop ticket sales. If you need to cancel after tickets have been sold, contact us: card and PayPal ticket payments can be refunded, and the refunded tickets are cancelled. Tickets bought by text cannot be refunded.
Can we cancel a lot or the whole auction?
You can switch a lot, or the whole auction, off in the portal at any time. Bidders are not told automatically, so let them know yourself. A lot switched off before it closes has no winner, so no payment is taken. If a winner has already been sent a payment link, switching the lot off does not cancel it: contact us.
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?
Open your campaign in the portal and choose Request a custom code. The portal tells you at once whether it is available. A code that is not a real word is approved straight away, free for 12 months. A premium code (a real word) is live as soon as you pay for 3, 6 or 12 months.
What fees does the charity pay?
The same fees apply whatever the payment method. Registered charities, CASCs and CIOs pay either 4.5% + 22p per web donation, or, when the donor adds Gift Aid, no percentage fee at all: the charity keeps the donation less 22p plus 60% of the Gift Aid, and our fee is the other 40%. Other organisations pay 5% + 22p, or with Gift Aid the Gift Aid (which DONATE claims and keeps) + 22p. There is also a £3 usage fee for each week your donations reach £10 (at most £12 a month) and a transfer charge on each payout. There are no setup fees and no subscription.