Gift Donation Feature: How to Enable Gift Giving via Our Donation Form
Did you know that you can activate the gift donation feature by default in our donation forms? In this article, we explain the benefits of this feature for your organization and how you can enable it with ease.
Benefits for Your Organization
#1 Reach New Audiences
With the gift donation feature, you’re not only addressing donors but also reaching their friends and family. Every gift donation brings your organization to the attention of new people who may also be interested in your cause.
#2 Increase Willingness to Donate
Donations as gifts are emotional and impactful. They combine the desire to do good with the joy of giving someone a meaningful gift — a combination that often inspires generosity.
#3 Encourage Recurring Donations
A positive experience with a gift donation increases the likelihood that donors and recipients will support you again in the future — either through further donations or voluntary engagement.
#4 Leverage Special Occasions Smartly
Gift donations are particularly popular during holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries. Targeted campaigns can help you use these occasions for your fundraising goals and boost your revenue.
#5 Strengthen Emotional Connection
By allowing your supporters to combine personal occasions with the common good, they feel even more connected to your organization — a crucial element for building long-term relationships.
How to Use the Gift Donation Feature in Your FundraisingBox Donation Form
Step 1: Activate Gift Donation in the Store
To activate the gift donation feature, go to the Store section in the left navigation bar of your FundraisingBox. Under the “Fundraise” section, you’ll find the gift donation feature. Click “Show Details” to view more information and access the activation option. Then, click “Activate Now,” and the feature will be available in your donation forms immediately.
Step 2: Configure the Gift Donation Feature in the Donation Form
You can now easily use the gift donation feature in your donation forms. Enter the editing mode of a form, go to the “Gift Donation” tab, and check the box. Here, you can also upload images for your gift certificates, customize the wording for the certificate and the form, and select an email template. You can upload up to three images for the gift certificate, allowing your supporters to choose from them. And you’re ready to go!
Note: To use this feature effectively in the donation form, you must first set up email delivery and a sender address. Detailed instructions are available in the help article on setting up email delivery and activating sender addresses. You can find information on creating an email template here.
Your donors can now select in the donation form that they want to gift the donation. They then enter the recipient’s name and choose an image for the certificate. A preview shows exactly how the certificate will look. After completing the donation, they receive a thank-you email and the certificate as a PDF, which can then be forwarded as a gift.
This works for both one-time and recurring donations! You can even set up different forms for gift donations and customize the certificates individually. For example, you can offer special certificates for Christmas and simultaneously have certificates for birthdays. It’s also possible to create unique gift donation forms for all your projects or multiple languages. Let your fundraising creativity run wild!
Tips for Success with Gift Donations
The Certificate
- Beautiful, Positive Images: Choose images that evoke positive emotions and are aesthetically pleasing. The happy recipient might want to hang their certificate on the wall or display it on a shelf. If the image is appealing, viewers will associate these positive emotions with your organization.
- Clarity: The certificate images should also be meaningful. One glance should be enough to understand your nonprofit’s mission.
- Occasions: Offer certificates with seasonal designs for special occasions, such as Christmas.
- Keep it Short and Simple: The ideal certificate text explains in a few words what the donation achieves. Keep it concise and remember to say thank you!
The Thank-You Email
- Personalization: Use variables to personalize your thank-you email. You can include all important details (amount, payment method, etc.) and wish the recipient all the best and much joy with the gift.
- Gratitude: Say thank you again. It’s better to express gratitude too often than too rarely!
- Further Information: Offer your supporters additional information. Perhaps they’d like to receive a project report, an annual report, or the newsletter? They might also be interested in recommending your nonprofit to others.
Giving Donations as Gifts for Christmas
Gift donations are a fantastic way to add momentum to your Christmas donation campaign. If you have any questions about the new feature, we’re always happy to help!
We’d also love to hear about your experiences with gift donations. Write to us in the comments or send us a message — your feedback always helps us improve our products!
Your donation form doesn’t have the gift donation option? Learn more about FundraisingBox donation forms and sign up for one of our free, no-obligation product webinars: Go to Webinars.
