Contactless Giving Trends in the UK

At a Glance

With cash donations declining, UK charities must quickly switch to contactless giving. From tap-on-phone apps to QR codes, platforms like KindLink enable fast, secure, and higher-value donations, which not only ease fundraising but also cut admin costs, boost donor engagement, and prep charities with a PCI-compliant, easy-to-use contactless fundraising solution.

The Growth of Contactless Payments

In the upcoming years, charitable organisations are likely to face many challenges, from keeping up with changing trends to cash reconciliation challenges. In the midst of all the financial and behavioural changes, non-profits are struggling to keep up with technological challenges that have the potential to attract more funds for their causes. 

With cash donations in the UK dipping, charities have yet to fully tap into the potential of the 94% who carry cards in their pockets and purses with a contactless function.

This also means that charities and non-profits need to fully understand the various trends and growth in contactless payments and how they can make a difference to fundraising. Read this guide as we explore these concepts further.

Decline of Cash

What’s happening to cash? With fewer people carrying cash, more are leaning towards using cards and other contactless modes of payment. This shift in behaviour is not just in younger age demographics but also in older age groups. In fact, in 2023, around 83% of individuals of retirement age made contactless payments at least once a month. Touch and pay was the UK’s most popular payment method, according to Barclays’ annual contactless trends report.

However, there’s little research to show the average donation amounts UK citizens donate in cash on the street, often equated to the change in the person’s pocket, donated with little thought. It’s here that fundraisers can really tap into the potential of contactless giving and use it to increase the average donation amount.

Rise of Contactless

There’s been a monumental growth in contactless payments and donations, especially post the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the years, the growth has further accelerated, owing to changing donor behaviours and expectations from different demographics, millennials to Gen Zs.

While publicly available statistics on contactless donation payments are limited, broad contactless payment trends show high rates of adoption, with 67% of credit card and 77% of debit card transactions as of May 2025. This is why UK non-profits and charities need to adapt to the growth of contactless payments through various tools and devices.

The Latest Trends in Contactless Giving & Donation Behaviour

Here are some of the latest trends and changes in behaviour in the way people give and donate.

Cash Is Now the Minority

For the first time, cash was used less than 10% for payments across the UK. There was a jump in the use of smartwatches and smartphones for completing purchases.

Tap-on-Phone

An app converts a modern smartphone into a contactless donation machine; no extra reader is needed.

How it works:

• Volunteers install the app
• Log in to their account
• Set a present amount
• Donors tap their card/phone on the volunteer’s phone to donate
• Funds settle via the linked platform

KindLink supports a tap device with an app control process of contactless giving through our partnership with Zettle. 

Tap-to-Give/ NFC Donation Terminals

People can tap from a contactless card or their phones to a card-present device (portable handhelds, fixed plinths, or countertop stands). This technology typically works through NFC (Near Field Communication) via mobile data or Wi-Fi from the donor to the platform.

QR-to-Donate

With mobile donations on the rise, donors can also access a printed or digital mobile QR code that opens into a branded mobile donation page. From posters to staff lanyards, you can place QRs on any surface for a phone to scan easily. Donors can pay with Google/ Apple Pay or by entering card details.

Why Contactless Giving Is the Future

Contactless donations are slowly becoming more mainstream for the following reasons:

Better Conversion Rates 

With more people going cashless, having a ready terminal or contactless donation devices at physical touchpoints makes giving easy.

Larger Average Donations 

The average donation from people donating through digital wallets and cards is way more than those who spare change. The amounts can be preset by your charity, which are typically greater than spare pocket change.

Less Cash Handling, Better Reconciliation

Charities and non-profits have one less hassle to take care of when funds are transferred directly into platforms and CRMs. Handling cash can be resource-intensive, with counting, transporting, depositing, auditing, and accounting for income taking a bulk of the time that could be used better.

Data Capture

Using a contactless donation device also presents a chance to collect donor data. Charities can use data like email addresses to connect with donors, thank them, showcase the difference they’re donation has made, and use this as an opportunity to encourage them to continue donating.

Integrated Smart Tech

Contactless donation options have been enhanced with smart tech added that can ease your admin and accounting workflows. From reconciled reports to automated Gift Aid processing, your charity can put focus more on fundraising over time-consuming administrative work.

Getting Started with Contactless Donations with KindLink

With so many positives to cashless giving, what’s stopping UK non-profits and charities from making the switch?

One thing that holds most charitable organisations back is the need to invest money in costly hardware and terminals, and the time in understanding how they work and training their volunteers.

But what if the solution is fairly simple and right in your pocket?

This is where KindLink’s contactless giving shines, helping charities with a seamless and cost-effective way to receive contactless donations. Access a secure, PCI-compliant, feature-rich, user-friendly way to accept donations contactlessly.

Accepts payments in under 5 seconds and supports multiple payment modes, including VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Discover, all major debit cards, Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Google Pay.

Sign up with us to learn more about how we can make contactless donations work for your non-profit.