Cash donations are declining. Nobody carries cash anymore. But everyone has a phone. A QR code at your church, fundraiser, or charity event lets people donate instantly — scan, choose an amount, send. No cash, no forms, no friction.
How to Set It Up
You need two things: a donation link and a QR code for that link.
Option 1: PayPal Donate Button
PayPal offers a specific donation link format for nonprofits.
- Go to paypal.com/donate
- Create a donation button (enter your organization name, suggested amounts)
- Get the shareable link
- Paste into qree.app → generate QR
PayPal handles the payment processing, receipts, and donor information. The donor doesn't need a PayPal account — they can pay with a card.
Option 2: Venmo
For informal fundraisers (not registered nonprofits):
- Get your Venmo profile URL:
https://venmo.com/yourusername - Optionally add a pre-filled amount:
?txn=pay&amount=25¬e=Donation - Create QR at qree.app
See our Venmo QR code guide for details.
Option 3: GoFundMe
For fundraising campaigns:
- Create your GoFundMe campaign
- Copy the campaign URL
- Create QR at qree.app
The QR leads to the GoFundMe page where people can donate and see progress toward the goal.
Option 4: Stripe Payment Link
For organizations that want professional payment processing:
- Create a Payment Link in Stripe Dashboard
- Set it as a donation (variable amount)
- Copy the link → create QR
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction but gives you professional receipts, recurring donation options, and detailed reporting.
Option 5: Your Website Donate Page
If you have a website with a donation page (common for churches and nonprofits):
- Copy your donate page URL
- Create QR at qree.app
This keeps the donor on your site where you can offer tax receipt info, recurring options, and multiple payment methods.
Where to Display Donation QR Codes
Churches. In the pew, on the bulletin, at the entrance, on the offering envelope. "Give today — scan to donate." This is the fastest-growing use case for donation QR codes. Younger congregants prefer digital giving.
Fundraising events. At every table, on the event program, on the stage screen, at the bar. "Support our cause — scan to donate." The event creates emotion — the QR captures it as a donation in the moment.
Charity walks/runs. On participant bibs, at water stations, at the start/finish line. Spectators and participants scan and donate during the event.
Street fundraising. Replace the donation jar with a QR sign. "No cash? Scan to donate." Reaches people who want to give but have no physical money.
Mailers and flyers. Print the QR on fundraising letters. The recipient scans instead of mailing a check.
Social media. Post the QR code image on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Followers screenshot and scan, or click the link in the caption.
Nonprofit offices. At the front desk or in the waiting area. Visitors who've just experienced your services are motivated to support.
Suggested Amounts
Pre-filling a donation amount reduces decision paralysis. Instead of "How much should I give?" the donor sees "$25" and either adjusts or sends.
Create multiple QR codes with different pre-filled amounts:
- $10 QR — "Buy a meal"
- $25 QR — "Supply a family for a week"
- $100 QR — "Fund a scholarship"
Display all three on the same sign with context for each amount. People choose the amount that feels right.
Recurring Donations
One-time donations are great. Recurring monthly donations are better for sustainability. If your payment platform supports recurring (Stripe, PayPal), link the QR to a page where donors can choose between one-time and monthly.
A QR at the church: "Scan to set up monthly giving — automatic, easy to cancel anytime."
Tax Receipts
For registered nonprofits, donors need tax receipts. Make sure your payment platform sends automatic receipts with your organization's tax ID. If using Venmo (informal), you'll need to send receipts manually.
Tips
Make the impact tangible. "$25 feeds a family for a day" is more motivating than "$25 donation." Connect the amount to an outcome.
Keep the process under 30 seconds. If the donation link leads to a page that asks for name, email, address, employer, and phone number before accepting payment — people will abandon. Ask for the minimum: amount and payment.
Test before the event. Make a $1 donation through the QR to confirm the full process works.
Thank donors immediately. The confirmation page or email after donation should say thank you and confirm the amount. This builds trust and encourages future giving.
Create Your Donation QR Code
Go to qree.app, paste your donation link, and download a QR code that turns any surface into a fundraising opportunity.