Don’t Let These Myths About Giving Apps Stunt Your Growth

Want to see your nonprofit or place of worship soar to new heights? Hoping that an increase in donations can help make that happen? It’s time to stop believing these common myths about giving apps.

The technology can help you achieve your organization’s goals. It would be a shame to fall prey to incorrect information and miss out on the benefits.

Myth #1: No One Uses Giving Apps

Because giving apps are such new technology, many people believe that no one is actually using them. But in actuality, more and more people use giving apps every day.

According to a recent study, 36% of churches with at least 1,000 weekly attendees accept donations using mobile giving methods. As they become more and more popular, you will see many churches and nonprofits begin adopting the technology.

Yours should be next.

Myth #2: Small Organizations Can’t Benefit

Do you believe that your organization is too small for giving apps to have a significant effect? You will be glad to know that the size of the nonprofit or church is irrelevant.

Small organizations already outshine large organizations when it comes to online giving. Take a look at these stats from Blackbaud’s 2014 Charitable Giving Report:

7.4% of total fundraising for small organizations comes from online giving, compared to large organizations with 7.2% and medium organizations with 5.6%

Small organizations grew their online fundraising 10.6% compared to the previous year, vs. an 8% increase at large organizations

Giving apps, with their added convenience and ease of use, can bring small organizations similar success.

Myth #3: Only Young People Understand the Technology

It is common for people to write off older adults and seniors when it comes to modern technology. They assume that older people simply aren’t interested in using computers, mobile phones, or the internet. But the truth may surprise you:

77% of older adults have a cell phone (Pew Internet Research)

90% of seniors with an annual household income of $75,000 or more go online (Vanco Payments)

Seniors are capable of using and understanding modern technology. The actual problem lies in the learning process. While younger generations were raised with the internet and mobile phones, older adults never received that education.

According to a study by Pew Internet Research:

Only 18% of seniors feel comfortable learning to use new technology on their own

77% reported they need someone to walk them through the process

Your older supporters want to learn, but they need your help. If you take the time to teach them how to donate using mobile giving apps, they won’t hesitate to get on board.

Myth #4: Giving Apps Are Not Secure

Another major thing that holds people back from using giving apps is a fear of security issues. With data breaches in the news, that worry is a valid one, and everyone should take efforts to protect their personal information.

But is that a legitimate reason to avoid giving apps? Fortunately, no. Making a donation using mobile technology is just as secure as using a credit or debit card to shop online. Since most people are comfortable doing the latter, they have no reason to stay away from giving apps.