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UK fintech helps Canadian charities tackle the decline in cash donations!

A contactless card donation to The Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund being taken on a smartphone with Toucan Collect

Canadian charities and non-profits can now accept contactless donations directly from a smartphone through Toucan Collect, eliminating barriers to giving and helping charities maximise every fundraising opportunity.

27th October 2026

Toucan Giving, a leading provider of contactless fundraising technology, has announced the Canadian introduction of Toucan Collect, with the solution set to be piloted as part of The Royal Canadian Legion’s National Poppy Campaign. The innovative tap-to-donate platform is designed to help charities, nonprofits and community organizations increase fundraising revenues in an increasingly cashless society.

Already supporting charitable fundraising initiatives in the United Kingdom, Toucan Collect enables organizations to accept secure contactless donations directly through a smartphone, removing the need for traditional collection methods and making it easier than ever for supporters to give.

As cash usage continues to decline and consumers increasingly rely on contactless payment methods, Canadian charities and non-profits face growing challenges in capturing spontaneous donations. Toucan Collect has been developed to help charities overcome these challenges by providing a simple, flexible and scalable fundraising solution.

A New Era for Charitable Giving

“The way people choose to pay has changed significantly over recent years, creating both challenges and opportunities for charitable organisations,” says Lisa Evans, Head of Charity at Toucan Giving.

“Toucan Collect gives fundraisers a simple and secure way to accept contactless donations through a smartphone, helping charities engage supporters and capture donations that might otherwise be missed.”

“It is important for us to stay current and make it easier for donors to support our National Poppy Campaign,” says Sharon McKeown, Royal Canadian Legion Dominion President. “As we head into our next century, tools like this one will help propel us forward.”

Built for Modern Fundraising

As payment habits continue to evolve, many charities are finding that traditional fundraising methods are no longer aligned with the way supporters choose to give. While generosity remains strong, fewer people carry cash, creating a growing gap between donor intent and a charity's ability to receive an in the moment donation.

Toucan Collect has been developed to help bridge that gap. While tap to donate solutions exist, enabling secure contactless donations through a smartphone changes the landscape because of cell phone ubiquity. The platform provides charities with a practical way to engage supporters wherever fundraising takes place, from community events and seasonal appeals to volunteer-led campaigns and street fundraising activities.

Combined with real-time reporting and a simple deployment model, Toucan Collect allows organisations to respond more quickly to fundraising opportunities, reduce operational complexity and make giving as seamless as possible for today's donors.

Designed specifically for the nonprofit sector, the platform can be used by organizations of all sizes, from local community organizations to national fundraising institutions.

The Toucan Collect app showing a Canadian campaign donation screen and the fundraiser home screen

Strategic Expansion into Canada

The pilot deployment of Toucan Collect with The Royal Canadian Legion's 2026 National Poppy Campaign forms a key part of Toucan Giving's international growth strategy and reflects the increasing demand for digital fundraising solutions across the nonprofit sector. The initiative will help demonstrate the platform's ability to support large-scale fundraising campaigns, laying the foundation for a wider rollout across Canadian charities and community organisations.

Supporting the Future of Giving

“The future of fundraising will be shaped by organizations that successfully adapt to changing donor behaviours,” added Bill Thomson, CEO of PAYA Group.

“Our role is to provide charities with the tools they need to thrive in that environment: helping them protect revenue traditionally generated through cash donations, unlock new fundraising opportunities, and connect with donors who increasingly expect fast, simple and digital giving experiences. Canada is an important growth market for PAYA Group, and we are excited to support charities and non-profits like The Royal Canadian Legion as they embrace the future of fundraising.”

About Toucan Giving

Toucan Giving is a fundraising technology provider, part of the PAYA Group that is helping charities and nonprofit organisations increase donations through innovative contactless giving solutions. The company's flagship SoftPos platform, Toucan Collect, enables organisations to securely accept donations via contactless payments using everyday smartphones, helping fundraisers engage supporters wherever they are. Toucan Giving has supported charities in raising over £130 million since 2019.

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Media Contact: Jacob Collins-Brown (Marketing Manager – PAYA Group) Jacob.Collins-Brown@PAYA.group