Card Machines and Contactless Donation Devices for Charities (2026)
Fewer people carry cash, and that's a real problem for charities that rely on collection tins, raffles and bake sales. A card machine, or a simple tap to donate setup, lets supporters give in seconds, and the average contactless donation can be more than the coins someone happens to have in their pocket.
Here's how charities, community groups and churches can take card donations, what it costs and how to keep Gift Aid in the picture. Prices are from providers' official UK websites, checked October 2026.
Your options
| Option | Cost to start | Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone paired reader | From £19 ex VAT | Around 1.69% to 1.75% | Events, shops, collections with a volunteer |
| Standalone terminal | From about £135 ex VAT | Around 1.69% to 1.75% | Charity shops, busy events |
| Tap to Pay on a phone | £0 | Provider's rate | Small events, volunteers |
| Fixed amount tap to donate | Varies by supplier | Varies | Unattended donation points, reception desks |
| Payment links and QR codes | £0 | Varies | Online appeals, posters |
Readers for events and charity shops
The pay as you go readers that small businesses use work just as well for charities.
| Reader | Price (ex VAT) | Fee on UK cards | Payouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square Reader | £19 list price | 1.75% | Free to your bank in 1 to 2 working days |
| SumUp Solo Lite | £25 | 1.69% | By 7am next day to a SumUp Business Account |
| PayPal Reader (Zettle) | £29 for new users | 1.75% on all major cards | To PayPal, typically within minutes |
| SumUp Terminal | £135 | 1.69% | By 7am next day |
No monthly fees, no contracts. That's ideal for groups that only collect at a few events a year.
Some providers offer discounted rates or programmes for registered charities. It's worth asking each one directly, as offers change.
Tap to donate setups
A fixed amount donation point lets supporters give without a volunteer. The device shows a set amount, such as £3 or £5, and the supporter just taps. These suit:
- Reception areas in hospices and community centres.
- Churches and places of worship.
- Museum and heritage site entrances.
- Charity shop counters.
You can do this with a dedicated donation device, an unattended contactless reader, or a standard terminal set to a fixed amount in the app. Our guide to contactless vending machine readers covers unattended readers in more detail.
Things to check:
- Upfront and monthly costs.
- The fee per donation, especially if there's a fixed pence charge that hurts small gifts.
- Whether it needs mains power and WiFi, or runs on battery and 4G.
- How secure it is against theft.
Fees on small donations
On a £3 donation, a 1.69% fee is about 5p. A fixed fee per payment changes things: Stripe's 10p on top of 1.4% would be about 14p, or nearly 5% of the gift. For lots of small donations, a simple percentage with no fixed fee is usually better.
| Donation | 1.69% | 1.75% | 1.4% + 10p |
|---|---|---|---|
| £2 | 3p | 4p | 13p |
| £5 | 8p | 9p | 17p |
| £20 | 34p | 35p | 38p |
Figures rounded to the nearest penny.
Gift Aid and card donations
Card donations can still attract Gift Aid. If a UK taxpayer makes a Gift Aid declaration, you can claim an extra 25p for every £1 they give. The challenge with a quick tap is collecting the declaration. Options include:
- A short form or QR code next to the reader linking to an online declaration.
- Asking regular supporters to sign a declaration that covers future gifts.
- Using a donation system that collects declarations as part of the giving process.
There's also the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme, which lets eligible charities claim a top up on small cash and contactless donations of £30 or less without a declaration, within annual limits. Check HMRC's guidance for the rules that apply to you.
Charity shops
A charity shop needs a reliable counter setup. A terminal with a printer or a reader with a point of sale app works well. Add product buttons for common items, such as "Books £1" or "Clothing £3". If you sell donated goods for Gift Aid supporters under the retail Gift Aid scheme, check your system can record what you need.
Events and fundraisers
For fun runs, fetes and bake sales:
- Charge readers the night before.
- Set up quick buttons for raffle tickets and cakes.
- Have a volunteer with Tap to Pay as backup.
- Display a clear "Donate by card" sign.
- Test signal at the venue.
Which setup for which charity?
| Organisation | Suggested setup |
|---|---|
| Small community group, a few events a year | Tap to Pay or a £19 to £25 reader, no monthly fee |
| Church or place of worship | A fixed amount tap to donate point plus a reader for events |
| Charity shop | A counter terminal or reader with product buttons |
| Hospice or museum reception | An unattended donation point near the entrance |
| Large fundraising events | Several readers or SIM terminals, one per stall |
| Street fundraising | Mobile readers with strong signal |
A worked example
A village hall committee runs a summer fete and a Christmas fair each year, plus a monthly coffee morning. Together they take about £3,000 a year by card. With a £25 reader at 1.69%, card fees come to about £51 a year, plus the reader. If card payments bring in just a few extra pounds at each event from people who'd otherwise have walked past, they've paid for themselves.
Making donations easy
- Put the amount on a sign. "Tap £3 to donate" works better than a blank reader.
- Explain what it pays for. "£5 buys a hot meal" gives people a reason.
- Make the reader visible. Eye level, near the entrance or exit.
- Thank people. A thank you on the screen or a smile from a volunteer goes a long way. People who feel appreciated are more likely to give again next time.
- Offer higher amounts too. Some supporters will happily give £10 or £20 if the option is there.
Choosing a provider
Ask each provider:
- Do you accept registered charities and unincorporated community groups?
- Do you have charity rates?
- Can donations go straight into our charity bank account?
- Can volunteers have separate logins?
- What reports do you provide for our accounts?
Safeguarding the money
- Give each volunteer their own login, so you can see who took what.
- Send payouts to the charity's bank account, not a personal account.
- Reconcile takings after each event.
- Keep the provider's reports for your accounts and trustees.
FAQs
Can charities take card payments?
Yes. Charities can use the same card readers as businesses, and many providers accept registered charities and community groups.
What's the cheapest way for a charity to take card donations?
Tap to Pay on a phone costs nothing to start. The cheapest reader is the Square Reader at £19 ex VAT list price. Ask providers whether they offer charity rates.
Can I claim Gift Aid on contactless donations?
Yes, if the donor makes a Gift Aid declaration. Small contactless donations of £30 or less may also qualify under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme. Check HMRC's guidance.
Do I need a business bank account?
You'll usually want donations paid into the charity's own bank account. Check each provider's requirements for charities.
What is a contactless donation box?
A device that takes a fixed donation when someone taps their card or phone, with no volunteer needed.
Are card donations safe?
Yes, if you use a regulated provider. Card details are encrypted and the money goes straight to your account.
Can a church take contactless donations?
Yes. Many churches use a fixed amount donation point near the door, plus a reader for events, concerts and the coffee rota. Make sure donations go into the church's own account and that more than one person can see the reports.