QR Code Donation

QR code donation is a system where scanning a QR code printed on a poster or flyer allows making donations from a smartphone. Even without cash on hand, supporters can contribute instantly via credit card or electronic payment.

It is used for disaster relief and NPO donations, and as an alternative to street fundraising. Unlike physical donation boxes, there is no risk of cash theft, and donation amounts and counts can be tallied in real time. Some temples and shrines in Japan also accept offerings via QR code payment.

When introducing it, first decide whether to display a QR code that encodes the URL of a page explaining the purpose and use of the donations, or to display the receiving code issued by the payment service as it is. The former lets supporters read the explanation before being guided to payment, but if the page is taken down the code becomes a dead end, so the page must stay online until the printed materials are collected. Also, if someone pastes a different code over the displayed one, donations could be diverted to a third party. Printing the organization name next to the code, adding the address of the donation page as well when you use one, and periodically scanning it yourself after posting to confirm where it leads, are the practical essentials.