From Checks to Clicks: How Nonprofits Can Modernize Donations

For decades, nonprofit fundraising has been powered by envelopes, stamps, and handwritten checks. But the world we live in has changed.  

Checks, once a dominant payment method, are rapidly declining in today’s fast-paced, digital-first world. Check usage has dropped 75% over the past 20 years, and most payment fraud attempts involve checks. Meanwhile, younger donors are opting for digital wallets and peer-to-peer apps for their transactions.  

If your nonprofit is still relying heavily on paper checks, you’re not just behind the curve—you could be missing out on gifts, speed, and donor trust. 

1. Why it’s time to move beyond checks  

For non-profits, the shift away from check dependency is a strategic opportunity. While checks still represent 35% of non-profit donation volume as of 2024 (down from 40% in 2020), the pace of decline presents an opportunity particularly among legacy and recurring donors.  

The path forward lies in stewardship — offering education and personal stewardship to help long-time donors transition to secure digital alternatives. By proactively guiding this change, organizations can protect their revenue while building trust with donors who value safety and simplicity. 

2. Integrating the Right Mix of Payment Options 

To align with donor expectations and behavior, nonprofits must embrace a diversified, digitally native payment platform. Prioritizing seamless, mobile-optimized options that mirror trends in everyday digital life instills a sense of security and a familiarity for the donor. 

Here’s a breakdown of priority payment types to integrate and optimize: 

 Offering these options not only increases conversion rates but also reduces donor friction — especially for first-time donors looking for quick and secure checkout processes. 

3. Implementing a Testing Roadmap 

 As with any new strategy, testing is key. Non-profits should develop a clear experimentation plan to refine their donation experience over time. Here are three areas to focus on:

Turning a Decline into an Opportunity 

The decline of checks is happening now. Yet for non-profits, this doesn’t have to be a moment of loss, it can be an opportunity. By improving the donation experience with alternative payment methods to reflect the way people live and give today, organizations can reduce security risk, boost conversion, and create donor journeys that are as impactful as the missions they support.  

Our team specializes in building smarter donor journeys and fundraising strategies that keep your mission at the center. Connect with us to start creating a donor experience that sets you up for long-term growth.