Charity Uses QR Codes to Increase Donations
Charity Uses QR Codes to Increase Donations
Since it’s the season of giving, we thought it appropriate to highlight a great organization that is using technology to further its cause. Specifically, with demand for emergency food at record high levels, City Harvest is reaching donors with an innovative advertising campaign that uses technology commonly used by for-profit marketers but new to fundraisers.
On advertisements in print, phone kiosks, transit shelters, and on Facebook, City Harvest has incorporated a QR code, which functions like a barcode and can be scanned by mobile phones. As a result, they will deliver 8.5 million pounds of food this holiday season.
This cutting edge technology offers donors the highest level of flexibility. Cell phone users that scan the QR code will immediately have the option to go to the City Harvest website, read facts about City Harvest, view a video illustrating City Harvest’s work, and make a donation online or by clicking a button to call City Harvest directly.
Donors can choose the amount they wish to donate and get more information about City Harvest at the touch of a button. The QR codes can be found on City Harvest’s new advertising campaign featuring New York City residents that have taken action to fight hunger. Though the food City Harvest rescues and delivers is donated, City Harvest needs cash donations to maintain their trucks and staff that are essential to picking up and distributing food. The advertisements demonstrate the impact of donors who pull out their wallet or checkbook in helping City Harvest feed more hungry New Yorkers.
“In an era of mobile technology, potential donors want and expect to be able to act immediately,” said Jilly Stephens, executive director of City Harvest. “QR codes allow New Yorkers just learning about City Harvest to get more information quickly and easily as well as give.”
“QR codes are changing the future of donor-charity relationships. They allow nonprofits to interact with their donors by exchanging engaging content,” said Irina Skaya, marketing manager at Horizon Media. “QR codes can be used without monthly running costs and function without limiting the dollar amount donors give to the nonprofit.”
Despite other indicators that the recession has ended, agencies served by City Harvest have reported no relief since demand for emergency food spiked last year. City Harvest works to meet greater need at soup kitchens and food pantries by rescuing and delivering food to some 600 programs throughout the five boroughs. Currently, City Harvest helps feed over 300,000 hungry men, women, and children each week. Donate
