tap+DONATE™
IMMEDIATE plug-and-go activation
Contactless giving has been much talked about but is now a reality.
We offer two tap+DONATE™ solutions to suit all occasions – be that for rent, purchase, fixed or portable needs… choose the one right for you, order today and you could be collecting cash-free donations tomorrow. Case study available here.
Below we have summarised the products. FAQs on each product are given further down the page.
Tap+DONATE Portable | Tap+DONATE Static | |
---|---|---|
Key advantages | ![]() |
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Key points | Small and large donations Mains and battery powered |
Small donations Mains powered |
Rent or Purchase | Purchase or rent | Purchase |
Donation level | No limit | Maximum £30 |
Activation period | Normally within a week | Normally within a week |
Set-up required | 3G/4G / WiFi | 3G/4G |
Battery life | Up to 8hrs + spare battery + mains | n/a – mains powered |
Cost | See order form in FAQs below | See order form in FAQs below |
What does it cost; how do I order? 
Costs for units, transaction charges and any monthly charges are available on our order form.
To order your tap+DONATE™ Portable unit please download and complete our order form (PDF or Word). Email completed forms to hello@nationalfundingscheme.org
What does the product look like? 
Please see these images;
Chip+PIN unit (without frame)
Chip and PIN unit with frame). Showing lid closed, and with the unit with lid open
BBC Children in Need and Guide Dog units showing branding labels
Shelter – integrated unit at Waterloo station (image 1 and image 2)
What are the dimensions? 
The frame has the following approximate dimensions:
The contactless chip+PIN device has the following approximate dimensions.
Can any organisation use the tap+DONATE™ service? 
tap+DONATE™ is available to any charitable organisation that is registered with DONATE™. If you are not yet registered with DONATE™ you can do so for free here.
How do we apply our branding to the loaned or purchased device? 
If you order the marketing frame we provide A4 label templates into which you can add your branding. The templates include our mandatory information (DONATE™ logo and our T&Cs). Templates are available here.
Once we have the print ready artwork from you the branding labels are provided free of charge.
Can we either rent or buy the units? 
The Portable unit is available for rent or purchase. Please download and send this form (PDF or Word) to place your order. Units are normally sent within 7-10 days following a confirmed order. Please note a receiving charitable organisation must be registered with DONATE™ before unit activation. However, another entity (eg corporate sponsor) may order the units on behalf of a charity.
What payment methods are usable? 
Contactless payments can be taken by all major credit cards and Apple / Android Pay.
What are the minimum and maximum amounts that can be donated? 
The minimum amount is £1 and the maximum (using contactless) is £30. The unit has a Chip+PIN facility to enable transactions above the contactless ceiling of £30.
How is the donation level set (regular and one-off amounts)? 
The device can either be set to manual or repeat modes.
In repeat mode, a preset amount (£1 to £30) is selected at the point of purchase and is set by the gateway provider. The preset amount can be changed by giving at least 2 working days notice. There is a £5 fee for making such a change.
In manual mode any amount can be taken using the keypad. Amounts over the contactless limit of £30 are authorised via the chip+PIN keypad.
Can donations be taken at all times (even outside data range)? 
No. The tap+DONATE™ Portable product will not store transactions or complete donations unless the unit is connected to the internet at the point of donation.
Does the unit work on wifi and 3/4G? 
The unit has a SIM and can be set up on either however a reliable connection is required for transactions to be processed.
Can tap+DONATE™ donations be Gift Aided? 
Gift Aid is not available as no personal data per donor is asked for or recorded during a contactless donation.
Do we and the donor receive a receipt 
Registered organisations can see all contactless donations through their DONATE portal account. These are normally visible within 20mins.
Donors will receive notification via their card issuer. No separate receipt is provided.
How are funds transferred to our charity? 
Funds are received by National Funding Scheme (registered charity) and paid across as per our Affiliation Agreement (see Agreements for charities and non-charities).
What do we provide with the contactless portable device? 
We provide:
- Contactless plug-and-go PIN pad
- Working hours support
If required (see order form):
- Tap+DONATE™ brandable frame (if ordered)
- Marketing template to produce artwork for labels to be attached to the frame
- Rechargeable “Power Bank” battery
- DONATE™ branded lanyard
What is your unit returns policy? 
The unit can be returned at your cost for a full refund within 30 days. Please note that the delivery charge and the annual SIM contract costs will not be refunded.
Any faulty unit can be returned for a free replacement within 90 days.
Returns postage costs are borne by the customer. Please ensure you use a signed-for service.
Can donation refunds be offered? 
Please note that, as per the terms of our Affiliation Agreement, National Funding Scheme will not offer refunds.
How long do the batteries last? 
Battery time is dependent on usage. The chip+PIN has an internal battery which can last up to 8hrs. It can also be mains powered. The spare battery (shipped with the frame if ordered) can be used to top up the unit at intervals.
Can the device be secured to a surface? 
The contactless unit cannot be secured to a surface.
The marketing frame can be secured to a surface . However, we only recommend this in specific, secure locations. Also note that experience shows that donations are more likely when there is a conversation with a donor…think of it as the modern-day collection tin.
See how Shelter embedded their unit here.
What does it cost; how do I order?
Costs for units, transaction charges and any monthly charges are available on our order form.
To order your tap+DONATE™ Static unit please download and complete our order form (PDF or Word). Email completed forms to hello@nationalfundingscheme.org
What does the product look like?
Please see these images.
What are the unit's dimensions?
Without branding frame:
- Height – 150mm
- Width – 115mm
- Depth – 132mm
With branding frame:
- Height – 185mm
- Width – 125mm
- Depth – 140mm
Branding frame dimensions:
- 200mm x 125mm
Do you provide stand-alone units?
Through our partners we offer the following. Please email us at hello@nationalfundingscheme.org for more information.
Wall-mounted unit – Dimensions: 210mm × 297mm (A4)
Free-standing unit – Dimensions: 300mm x 300mm x 900mm
Can any organisation use the tap+DONATE™ service?
tap+DONATE™ is available to any charitable organisation that is registered with DONATE™. If you are not yet registered with DONATE™ you can do so for free here.
How do we apply our branding to the loaned or purchased device?
This is the template for the branding frame and shows mandatory content (DONATE™ logo and our T&Cs). Other formats are available here. Organisations must include the mandatory content on their artwork but are free to otherwise design as required.
Please see order sheet for ordering branding frames.
Branding display frame (standard)
- 125mm x 200mm
Can I either rent or buy the units?
The Static unit is available for purchase only.
What are the minimum and maximum amounts that can be donated?
The minimum contactless donation amount is £1 and the maximum is £30. If you need to take amounts above £30 then please order the tap+DONATE™ Portable unit.
How is the donation level set (regular and one-off amounts)?
You may specify up to three donation levels (between £1 and £30) that are set-up by us during the activation process. These can be amended with 48hrs weekday notice by contacting us at hello@nationalfundingscheme.org. There is a £5 fee for making such a change.
Users select their chosen amount on the unit before tapping their card.
Does the unit work on wifi and 3/4G?
The unit has an integrated SIM to connect to 3G and 4G but cannot be connected with local wifi.
Can donations be taken at all times (even outside data range)?
Yes. The tap+DONATE™ Static will store transactions and authorise these when the unit next makes a data connection. This happens automatically and requires no manual process. However, please note that the reporting portal only shows completed transactions and so pending transactions will not show up until authorised.
Can tap+DONATE™ donations be Gift Aided?
Gift Aid is not available as no personal data is asked for or recorded during a contactless donation.
How are funds transferred to our charity?
Funds are received by National Funding Scheme (registered charity) and passed across (less the charity 2.95% fee) as per our Affiliation Agreement (see Agreements for charities and non-charities).
What do we need to provide to enable the device to work?
Only a standard power source is required. Once received and plugged in, your unit will start taking donations.
What do we provide with the contactless Static device?
We provide:
- Your contactless Static unit
- 24/7 access to your own reporting portal
- Working hours support
- Immediate connectivity to collect payments
- Marketing template to produce artwork (if required)
What is your unit returns policy?
The unit can be returned at your cost for a full refund within 30 days. Please note that the delivery charge and the annual SIM contract costs will not be refunded.
Any faulty unit can be returned for a free replacement within 90 days.
Returns postage costs are borne by the customer. Please ensure you use a signed-for service.
Can donation refunds be offered?
Please note that, as per the terms of our Affiliation Agreement, National Funding Scheme will not offer refunds.
Can the device be secured to a table?
Yes, two screw holes are available in the bottom of the unit.