Every December, charities across the UK experience a surge in generosity. Nearly one-third of annual donations are made in the final month of the year, with many given spontaneously on the street, at festive events, or in community spaces. But with so much competition for attention, from big national appeals to supermarket campaigns, success requires more than simply showing up.
Here’s how your charity can prepare, stand out, and make the most of every opportunity this Christmas.
1. Craft a Seasonal, Impactful Story
At Christmas, people are primed to give, but they want to know WHY it matters now.
- Anchor your message in seasonal relevance (e.g. “£20 helps provide a Christmas dinner for a family in need” or “£10 lights up our Christmas concert for older people”).
- Make it visual and emotional: photos of hampers, decorations, or services in action help donors picture the difference their gift makes.
- Keep it short and repeatable: a line your fundraisers can say confidently in a crowded, noisy environment.
2. Equip Your Fundraisers With the Right Tools
Festive footfall is high, but so is the pace. People are rushing, carrying shopping, juggling kids. Your donation process must be quick, frictionless, and adaptable.
- Contactless first: Most donors will not have cash. Use handheld contactless devices or a Tap to Pay mobile app such as Toucan Collect to ensure no donation is missed.
- QR Codes as backup: Posters, stickers, and banners give hesitant donors a way to contribute later.
- Advertise your ability to take contactless donations: Let potential donors know at every opportunity that there is an alternative to cash.
- Take advantage of Short Term Hire options to give more fundraisers the ability to collect contactless donations.
Did you know the average contactless donation in the UK (outside London) is £7.50? That’s 20–30% more than typical cash donations.
3. Train and Support Your Team
Your fundraisers are the face of your cause. A well-prepared, confident volunteer can make the difference between a passer-by walking on or stopping to give.
- Provide simple scripts to introduce your cause in seconds.
- Train fundraisers to handle objections with empathy (“I don’t have cash” becomes “No problem, you can tap or scan instead”).
- Rotate shifts to keep energy levels high. A smiling, festive volunteer draws attention; a tired one can put people off.
4. Choose the Right Venues
Location is the single biggest driver of success.
- High-footfall spaces: markets, transport hubs, shopping centres.
- Partner sites: supermarkets, sports clubs, and local businesses are often open to hosting festive fundraisers.
- Seasonal events: concerts, carol services, or Christmas fairs provide a ready-made audience in the giving spirit.
5. Don’t Leave Gift Aid Behind
Did you know that £560 million in Gift Aid goes unclaimed every year? That’s funding your cause could be missing out on.
- Gift Aid can boost eligible donations by 25%, turning a £10 gift into £12.50, at no extra cost to the donor.
- When Gift Aid is built into the donation journey, up to 80% of donors opt in.
- Digital tools make it easy to capture declarations instantly, no paper forms, no fuss.
- Use clear messaging like: “Your £10 could be worth £12.50—with no extra cost to you.”
All of Toucan Giving’s solutions support digital Gift Aid capture, making it easier than ever to claim what you’re entitled to.
6. Create a Festive Volunteer Experience
Christmas fundraising isn’t just about money, it’s a chance to build and enhance your community.
- Provide fun props (Santa hats, branded scarves).
- Celebrate milestones (“Together we’ve raised £500 today!”).
- Share stories from volunteers in your communications, demonstrating the impact of fundraising on both sides.
Face-to-face fundraising is about energy, visibility, and human connection. This Christmas, combine seasonal messaging with cashless-ready tools, the right locations and well-supported volunteers. You'll not only raise vital funds but also create meaningful moments with supporters who carry your message into the new year.
Toucan Giving is here to support you this festive season!
- Toucan Tap: Our contactless donation app, compatible with a wide range of devices, makes giving seamless and secure.
- Toucan Collect: Accept donations anywhere, anytime, using just your smartphone. There's no extra hardware needed.
- Toucan Cash: Digitise your cash management process. Volunteers can deposit donations directly after collections at Post Office, PayPoint, or PayZone locations.
Make sure your volunteers never miss a donation this Christmas.
This year, we are celebrating our re-brand to Toucan Giving by proudly sharing the fundraising stories of our wonderful charity partners. Please join us on Facebook to see how others are making the most out of their contactless assets.