Many organisations raise less than they could simply because the path to giving is too long. You do not need advanced technology: you need simple solutions and a real connection with the people who support you. Here it is in five steps.
Step 1: understand your donor audience
Before asking for money, work out who could support you and why. Age or income data is not enough: what matters is motivation. A young professional, a business owner and a retired person respond differently and need their own approach.
- Ability and willingness to give
- Interests and causes that move them
- Preferred communication channels
- How often they have given before
Donors do not just give money: they invest in change. Tell real stories and show the concrete impact.
Step 2: build an awareness campaign
The goal is not simply to ask for money but to build a connection. Define a clear message: what makes your cause unique? What does each donation change? Real stories and voices from beneficiaries work better than long texts.
- Social media
- Personal e-mails
- Short videos
- Press releases
- Events, online and in person
Show openly how the funds will be used. With 1pay.ch you create different donation pages with direct payment links: the fewer steps between interest and donation, the more likely it is to be completed.
Step 3: offer the right payment methods
It is not just about a “Donate” button but about a simple, secure experience. Offer the methods your audience uses: TWINT, PostFinance Pay, cards, wallets and others if they fit.
The main payment options
| Option | Main advantage | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| TWINT | Popular in Switzerland | Easy by QR or app |
| PostFinance Pay | Easy for PostFinance customers | Direct through the app |
| Credit cards | Widespread, fast | Immediate confirmation |
| Recurring donation | Builds loyalty | Automatic debit |
| Free amount | Open to everyone | Small amounts too |
Offer one-off and recurring donations, with suggested amounts that show the impact and the option of entering your own.
Step 4: simplify the form
Every obstacle costs donations. Short, clear forms with only the necessary fields and a clean design build trust. Pay particular attention to smartphones: big buttons, fast loading. You will find everything about donation forms on the Donations page.
- Clarity on how funds are used
- Transparency on costs
- Several payment methods
- Immediate confirmation by e-mail
Next to the form, show what a donation of 10, 50 or 100 francs actually does, and give a contact for questions.
Step 5: measure the results
Do not just count how much came in: understand who gives, why and when. Track these indicators:
- Total number of donors
- Total amount raised
- Conversion rate by channel
- Share who give more than once
- Drop-offs during the donation
If one channel works better, move your effort there. Test different calls to action and forms, because small changes can make a big difference. And share the results with your supporters: transparency builds trust, and trust brings new donations.
What 1pay.ch offers for fundraising
- As many campaigns and forms as you want
- Easy sharing and embedding in your website
- Automatic donation receipt
- 20+ payment methods with a single contract
- A free plan with no monthly fee, no activation costs
- Sign-up in 5 minutes, verification usually within one working day
