Apple Pay moved into the charitable space this week by supporting donation processing. The tech giant’s touch-powered digital wallet eliminates donors’ need to enter billing or contact information, create an account, or fill out forms prior to checkout – making donations instantaneous just prior to the holiday giving season.
“Websites and apps tell us they see twice as many people actually completing a purchase with Apple Pay than with other payment methods,” Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay, said in a press release. “We think offering such a simple and secure way to support the incredible work nonprofits do will have a significant impact on the communities they serve,” she said.
Charities including American Red Cross, Feeding America, UNICEF and World Wildlife Fund have already adopted Apple Pay, with more nonprofits prepared to sign on in the coming months.
The COPD Foundation counts itself among the early adopters of Apple Pay, now accepting the payment method for their Breathe Strong events series, do-it-yourself or fundraise-your-way campaigns, memorial and tribute pages, and general donations.
Three-quarters of the foundation’s mobile dollars come through Apple’s operating system, iOS, according to a DonorDrive press release – opening the door for potential increased giving. Apple Pay works on iPhones 6 or newer, iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 or later, or any Mac introduced in or after 2012 by using the Safari browser. Credit and debit card information is not stored on the device or Apple servers, but instead a Device Account Number is assigned and encrypted to each device and transactions are given a one-time unique security code.
Software providers in the sector are, too, adopting the payment method. Apple Pay is currently available using Blackbaud Merchant Services to process donations in company’s Luminate Online product. Apple Pay functionality will be spread across Blackbaud’s portfolio in 2017.
“Integrating Apple Pay into our digital payments solution is a great example of how we’re working to help nonprofits provide their donors with a modern, agile checkout experience that mirrors the convenience and mobility they enjoy as consumers,” said Kevin McDearis, chief products officer at the Charleston, S.C.-based company.
