In-person fundraising is evolving fast. Today, 85% of point-of-sale transactions are cashless, yet many nonprofits still rely on cash-only collection methods. This leaves a big gap between donor expectations and what organizations can offer.

When someone is inspired to give in person, asking them to “donate online later” often means losing that moment forever.

That’s where GiveWP’s integration with Jovvie changes the game. It turns any smartphone, tablet, or computer into a complete donation station, working seamlessly with your existing donation forms and Stripe account — no extra systems or administrative headaches.

This guide shows you how to capture spontaneous generosity anywhere, turning face-to-face moments into immediate impact.

Why In-Person Donations Matter More Than Ever

Digital giving is growing, but in-person donations offer something online campaigns can’t: genuine human connection. Meeting donors where they are, at events, in community spaces, or during outreach, creates emotional resonance that inspires more generous giving and builds long-term relationships.

When donors can see your mission in action or speak directly with your team, they become active participants in your cause. This emotional engagement often translates into higher gift sizes and ongoing support.

When paired with mobile payment technology, in-person donations can:

• Increase average gift size: People tend to give more when donating face-to-face, influenced by social interaction and the immediate sense of impact.
• Capture spontaneous generosity: Special moments — like a moving testimonial or a program milestone — are prime opportunities to convert inspiration into action.
  Reduce giving friction: Instead of sending donors to “visit our website later,” you can process their contribution instantly.
• Boost visibility: Public donation stations spark conversations and draw attention from passersby.
• Strengthen relationships: In-person giving allows for immediate thank-yous and impact storytelling.

With Jovvie + GiveWP, you can make giving quick, easy, and emotionally engaging — turning every interaction into a potential donation.

Who Benefits from In-Person Donations?

Nearly any organization engaging with supporters face-to-face can benefit, including:

• Religious congregations with donation kiosks at service exits
• Animal shelters accepting mobile donations during pet adoptions
• Schools & sports teams collecting at concession stands
• Medical facilities funding patient support programs
• Food banks & outreach teams enabling street donations
• Environmental groups collecting at cleanup events
• Political campaigns with mobile and kiosk giving at rallies
• Disaster relief organizations collecting directly in affected areas

Wherever you connect with supporters, in-person donations help turn interest into immediate action.

Best Practices for In-Person Giving Success

Implementing in-person donations can be simple and powerful. Here are some best practices to maximize the impact of in-person fundraising:

Simplify the process: Use preset amounts and minimize required fields. Avoid lengthy forms that create friction when donors are ready to give spontaneously.

Train your team: Volunteers should be able to guide a donor through the process in under 30 seconds. Practice common scenarios like helping elderly donors navigate tablets, explaining security features to hesitant givers, and handling technical issues gracefully. Create simple reference cards with troubleshooting steps and donation talking points.

Promote the option: Use clear, professional signage that matches your brand (“Tap to Donate Available” or “Support Us Instantly”). Train staff to naturally mention mobile giving options during conversations. Position tablets and devices where they’re visible but not intrusive.

Time it right: Time your donation requests strategically, like after powerful testimonials or successful service delivery. These are moments when supporters feel most connected to your mission. For events, place donation stations at gathering points like refreshment areas or photo opportunities.

Ensure connectivity: Test your internet and have backups like a mobile hotspot ready. Process a few test transactions before events begin to confirm everything works smoothly. Coordinate with venue staff about Wi-Fi access for outdoor events or remote locations or invest in reliable cellular data plans.

Create donation momentum: When someone makes an in-person donation, thank them publicly (with their permission) to encourage others. Display real-time fundraising progress on tablets or nearby screens to create excitement and urgency around giving goals.

Follow up thoughtfully: Collect email addresses to send immediate digital receipts and follow-up impact stories. This transforms one-time in-person donors into ongoing supporters who may give online. Aim to convert 15-20% of in-person donors to recurring supporters through effective follow-up.

Flexible Tools for Collecting In-Person Donations

Jovvie works seamlessly with GiveWP to turn your donation forms into a tap-to-donate system. Every donation is processed through your Stripe account and logged in your GiveWP dashboard — keeping reporting, donor management, and tax receipts consistent..

Jovvie also uses encrypted data transmission and secure tokenization to keep donor information safe across all devices.

Here’s how you can collect donations on the go:

• Tap to Pay on Mobile: Accept contactless payments via iPhone or NFC-enabled Android devices — no extra hardware needed. Perfect for volunteers on the move.
• Stripe Card Terminal Readers: Handle chip, swipe, and tap payments with professional-grade hardware. Ideal for events and permanent donation spots.
• Tablet or Desktop Kiosks: Create a self-service donation station for lobbies, entrances, or public spaces.

Choosing your setup:

• Small events or mobile outreach → Tap to Pay
• Medium to large events → Stripe Terminal Readers
• Permanent locations → Tablet kiosks
• Hybrid events → Combine multiple options

Take Your Fundraising Anywhere

Every moment of inspiration is a potential donation opportunity. With in-person giving, you never lose a supporter because they don’t have cash or need to “remember to donate online later.” Transform any smartphone or tablet into a complete donation station that works seamlessly with the tools you already use.

Ready to empower your team and grow your fundraising potential? Try the Jovvie Add-On to start accepting in-person donations today.