Passing a donation bucket at the end of an event catches the donors who remembered to bring cash. A QR code for donations on every table, every program, and every direct mail piece catches everyone else - including the majority of supporters who carry only a phone and no wallet.
This guide covers how donation QR codes work, which five platforms non-profits use to receive funds, and how to create a free fundraising QR code in three steps - plus where to place it at events and in print materials throughout the year.
How a Donation QR Code Works
A donation QR code is a link to your existing payment or fundraising page. The donor scans the code, lands on your PayPal Giving Fund page, GoFundMe campaign, Stripe donation form, or Cash App, and completes the payment using the platform they already trust.
The QR code handles only delivery: it gets the donor to the page. All payment security, transaction processing, and receipt generation are handled by the payment platform - not the QR code. This means a free static QR code is sufficient for any non-profit. You do not need a paid QR platform or subscription to accept donations via QR code.
Choosing Your Donation Platform
The right platform depends on your organization's size, how supporters prefer to give, and your tolerance for transaction fees. Five options used commonly by non-profits and charities in the US:
- PayPal Giving Fund - Free for registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits. PayPal covers the transaction fees and passes 100% of the donation to your organization. Donors give through PayPal's trusted checkout. Requires enrollment through paypal.com/givingfund. Best for established nonprofits that want zero-fee processing.
- GoFundMe Charity - Free to create a campaign. GoFundMe charges a 0% platform fee for registered charities, though standard payment processing fees apply. Best for short-term campaigns with a clear, specific goal - a new vehicle, facility repair, or matching gift drive.
- Venmo - Free to set up a nonprofit profile. Peer-to-peer transfers from personal Venmo accounts carry no fee; business-rate fees apply if a donor pays by credit card. Best for younger donor demographics and informal community or church fundraisers.
- Cash App - Similar to Venmo. Free for peer-to-peer transfers, standard fees for credit card payments. Widely used for church fundraising and community events. Use your organization's $cashtag URL as the QR code destination.
- Stripe Donation Form - Stripe processes payments at 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, with discounted rates available for verified nonprofits. Pair with a tool such as Donorbox to create a hosted form linked to your Stripe account. Best for organizations with a website and recurring giving programmes.
For small and mid-size organizations running a single event or ongoing appeal, PayPal Giving Fund (for US 501(c)(3) organizations) or GoFundMe Charity are the simplest starting points with the lowest friction for donors.
How to Create a Free Fundraising QR Code in 3 Steps
Creating a nonprofit QR code takes under three minutes and requires no account on any QR platform.
- Copy the URL of your donation page - your PayPal Giving Fund link, GoFundMe campaign URL, Stripe form, or Cash App $cashtag URL (format: cash.app/$yourname).
- Go to the free QR code generator and select the URL tab. Paste the donation page URL. Upload your organization's logo to the center and set the code color to your brand's primary color. A branded charity QR code builds donor trust - an unbranded code makes some supporters hesitate before scanning.
- Download as SVG for printed materials (posters, pledge cards, direct mail, event programs) or PNG for digital use (email newsletters, website, social posts). Scan from a phone before distributing to confirm it opens the correct donation page.
Where to Use Donation QR Codes at Fundraising Events
At any fundraising event - gala, auction, walkathon, church service, or community fair - five placements consistently produce the most completed donations.
- Registration and welcome table - a printed QR code card at the entry captures early gifts from attendees who want to give before the main programme begins. Place it next to name badges or event programs during arrival.
- Each table at a gala or dinner - a small table tent or insert at each seat allows guests to donate during the programme when they are emotionally engaged - immediately after a speaker's story or a video - without waiting for a collector to reach their table.
- Auction bid sheets - a QR code at the top of each bid sheet linking to the general donation page captures gifts from guests who did not win a lot but still want to contribute. The sheet is in their hands at exactly the right moment.
- Printed program or event booklet - a QR code on the back page travels home with the donor and enables post-event gifts from supporters who decided to give after reflection rather than in the moment.
- Exit table - a standalone QR code card near the exit with a clear sign: "One more way to support us tonight." Guests without cash have a final opportunity to give before leaving.
See the event ticketing QR code guide for additional QR code practices at larger events, including attendee check-in and program distribution.
Print Placements for Ongoing Donations
These print placements extend your QR code donation channel to every piece of communication your organization sends throughout the year - not only at events.
| Print format | Placement | Minimum QR size |
|---|---|---|
| Direct mail appeal letter | Bottom of the letter, above the reply envelope | 3 x 3 cm |
| Church or community bulletin | Inside front or back cover | 3 x 3 cm |
| Pledge card | Centered, with Scan to give online label | 3 x 3 cm |
| A4 or letter-size poster | Lower third, with CTA label above | 5 x 5 cm |
| Volunteer canvasser card | Back of the card | 2.5 x 2.5 cm |
| Email newsletter | Above the footer, as a linked image | PNG, 150px min |
For direct mail, always print the full donation page URL in small text below the QR code. Some recipients - particularly older donors - will type the URL rather than scan. Including both ensures no one is excluded by the format.
QR Codes Beyond Donations: Other Non-Profit Uses
QR codes build supporter relationships beyond the single donation transaction. Each of the following keeps first-time donors engaged and moves them toward deeper, ongoing involvement with your mission.
- Volunteer sign-up - a QR code on event materials and posters linking to your volunteer registration form. Supporters who cannot give money often can give time. Make the volunteer path as visible and frictionless as the donation path.
- Event registration - a QR code linking to your next fundraising event or community programme registration page. See the event ticketing guide for setting up attendee QR codes and check-in.
- Email newsletter sign-up - a QR code linking to your email list sign-up page. Each new subscriber becomes reachable for future campaigns without requiring repeated QR code exposure at future events.
- Social media follow - a QR code on event materials linking to your Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn page. Supporters who follow see your impact updates and are more likely to give again.
- Staff or leadership contact (vCard) - a QR code on major donor packets and leadership business cards linking to the executive director's contact details. Read the vCard QR code guide for setup.
To measure which placement drives the most completed donations, add UTM parameters to each destination URL and track conversions in Google Analytics. See the marketing campaign QR guide for the full UTM setup and reporting steps.
Your donation page is already live. All you need is two minutes and a free QR code. Generate your fundraising QR code now - no account, no subscription, SVG ready for every print material you send this campaign season.