Do donors need an app to scan a donation QR code?

No. Any modern iPhone or Android phone can scan a QR code using the built-in camera app. The camera recognizes the code automatically and shows a link to tap. Donors do not need to download anything. Once they tap the link, the giving page opens in their browser and they can pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a card.

Is it safe to donate through a QR code?

Yes, when the code comes from a trusted source and you verify the destination. After scanning, a brief URL preview appears on your screen before you tap through. Check that the domain looks familiar and that the address starts with HTTPS. If anything looks off, do not proceed. For organizers, post codes in supervised locations and inspect them before events to make sure no one has placed a fraudulent sticker over yours.

Can you reuse the same QR code for multiple events?

Yes, as long as the URL the code points to stays active and correct. Many organizations print a durable banner or sign with a QR code and reuse it for every fundraiser. Just confirm that the giving page is still live and accepting donations before each event. If your platform creates a new URL for each campaign, you will need a new QR code each time.

What does it cost to set up QR code donations?

Costs vary by approach. Free QR code generators let you create a code at no charge, but you still need a giving page and a payment processor, which each charge their own fees. Purpose-built fundraising platforms typically charge a platform fee on each donation plus standard payment-processing fees. ScanRaise, for example, charges a flat 2.5% platform fee (as of 2026) with no setup, monthly, or contract fees, and standard Stripe processing (about 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction) applies separately. A donor-cover-fees checkbox lets supporters add the fees on top of their gift so the organization receives the full amount.

Do you need a special QR code generator for fundraising?

You do not need a special generator just to create the QR code image itself. Dozens of free tools produce a working QR code from any URL. What you do need is a reliable mobile-friendly giving page for the code to point to, a way to process payments and send receipts, and a stable URL that will not change mid-campaign. A dedicated fundraising platform gives you all of that in one place and often generates the QR code automatically when you create the campaign.

How to Set Up QR Code Donations (2026 Guide)

A donation QR code lets supporters give in seconds by simply pointing their phone camera at a printed or on-screen code. This guide walks you through every step, from setting up your giving page to placing codes where they will get the most scans.

What a Donation QR Code Actually Is

A QR code is just a scannable link. When someone points their phone camera at it, the phone opens a web page, in this case your online giving page, automatically. The QR code itself holds no money and stores no personal data. Think of it as a shortcut that skips the step of typing a URL.

The real work happens on the giving page the code points to. That page needs to load fast on a phone, support Apple Pay and Google Pay so donors can pay in a tap, send an automatic receipt, and process the payment securely. The QR code is only the door. The giving page is the room.

Because the code is just a link, you can print it on anything: flyers, table tents, posters, T-shirts, event screens, or even a laminated sign on a bake sale table. Any donor with a modern smartphone can scan it without downloading an app or creating an account.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you generate a single QR code, you need two things in place: an online giving page and a way to accept payments. Skip this step and your QR code leads donors to a broken link or a page that cannot actually collect money.

For the giving page, you have a few routes. You can use a purpose-built fundraising platform (more on that below), use the donation page from your payment processor, or build a custom page if your organization has technical resources. Whatever you choose, the page must be mobile-first, because virtually every person who scans a QR code will be on their phone.

For payments, most platforms connect to Stripe, PayPal, or a similar processor. Some platforms hold your funds and pay you on a schedule. Others, like ScanRaise, let you connect your own Stripe account so the money goes directly to you and you never wait for a payout.

A purpose-built fundraising platform is worth considering because it bundles the giving page, QR code, receipts, donor records, and fee handling into one flow. You can certainly string together a free QR generator and a basic payment link, but you will end up managing several tools and handling receipts manually. For a one-time event or a simple use case, the DIY route works. For a school, church, or organization running multiple campaigns, a dedicated platform saves significant time.

Where to Place QR Codes for the Most Scans

Location and context drive scan rates more than design does. A well-placed, plain QR code outperforms a beautifully designed one that is in the wrong spot. Think about where your audience is physically present, where they have their phone in hand, and where they have a moment of natural pause.

High-performing placements fall into a few categories. Place the code at the moment of peak motivation, right after a performance, right after a speech, or on the final slide of a presentation. Put it at natural stopping points like check-in tables, concession stands, and lobby displays. Include it on take-home materials like printed programs, newsletters, and pledge sheets. For recurring campaigns, add it to email footers and social media posts using a phone screenshot or image version.

Event signage: banners and posters at the entrance, exit, and registration table
Printed programs and brochures handed to every attendee
Table tents at every seat or dinner table
Presentation slides, especially the closing slide or the thank-you slide
Individual fundraiser cards, one per student or participant with their name and giving page
Email newsletters and social media posts (use a linked button or screenshot of the code)
School marquees and lobby display screens
Yard signs for neighborhood campaigns

QR Code Safety and Best Practices

QR codes are safe to use for fundraising when you follow a few common-sense practices. The main risk with QR codes in public settings is that someone could place a sticker with a fraudulent code over your legitimate one. This is rare, but worth guarding against. Post your codes in supervised locations or in protected frames, and check them before events. If your code is on a digital screen, there is no way to tamper with it.

For donors, the best habit is to glance at the URL that appears after scanning before tapping through to pay. A legitimate giving page will show a recognizable domain and a secure HTTPS connection. Encourage your donors to do this, especially if your campaign is posted in a public location with foot traffic from strangers.

On the design side, keep these practices in mind to ensure reliable scanning.

Make the code large enough. A minimum of one inch printed is workable at close range; go larger for posters or signs viewed from a distance. A good rule of thumb is that the printed size should be at least one-tenth of the viewing distance. A sign read from ten feet away needs a code at least one foot wide.

Keep it high contrast. Black on white is the most reliable. Avoid placing the code over a busy photo background or using colors with low contrast.

Always include a short human instruction near the code, such as 'Scan to donate' or 'Point your camera here to give.' Many people, especially older donors, do not yet know that modern phones scan QR codes without a separate app.

Test before you print. Scan your code on at least two different phones (ideally one iPhone and one Android) before you commit to a print run. Also test the full giving flow, including making a small test donation, to confirm the payment and receipt work correctly.

Step-by-step

Step 1: Set up your online giving page

Choose a fundraising platform or payment processor that offers a mobile-first giving page. Sign up and create your campaign or fundraiser. Make sure the page loads quickly on a phone and that it clearly identifies your organization. If you are using a platform like ScanRaise, this step also connects your own Stripe account so donations go directly to you.

Step 2: Generate the QR code linked to your giving page

Copy the exact URL of your giving page. If you are using a fundraising platform, it may generate the QR code for you automatically when you create the campaign, which keeps the link and the code in sync. If you are using a standalone QR generator, paste your giving-page URL and export the code as a high-resolution PNG or SVG file. Never use a short-lived or temporary URL as the destination, because the code becomes useless if the link changes.

Step 3: Brand and size the code with a clear call to action

Download the QR code as a vector (SVG) or high-resolution image (at least 1000 by 1000 pixels) so it stays sharp when printed large. Add your organization name or logo near the code, and include a short instruction like 'Scan to donate' or 'Give in 30 seconds.' Keep the code itself high contrast (black on white is most reliable) and leave a quiet zone of white space around all four edges.

Step 4: Test the scan on multiple devices before printing

Point at least one iPhone and one Android phone camera at the code before sending anything to print. Tap the link that appears and complete a small test donation to confirm the entire flow works: the giving page loads correctly, the payment processes, and you receive a receipt email. Fix any issues now. Discovering a broken link after 500 flyers are printed is an expensive mistake.

Step 5: Print and place the code where donors will see it

Print the code on flyers, table tents, banners, posters, and any per-person fundraiser cards (one card per student or participant works especially well for school campaigns). Place codes at natural stopping points, such as event check-in tables, lobby displays, dinner tables, and the closing slide of your presentation. Post them in supervised locations so you can check that they have not been tampered with before and during the event.

Step 6: Promote the code across digital channels

Take a clear photo or screenshot of the printed code and share it on your organization's social media, email newsletter, and website. On digital platforms, you can also link the giving-page URL directly as a button alongside the image of the code. Announce the campaign at meetings, in parent communications, and via any text-message lists your organization maintains. Repeated, friendly reminders drive most of the donations in a typical campaign.

Step 7: Track scans and donations, then refine your approach

After your event or during your campaign window, check your fundraising dashboard to see donation totals, donor counts, and which fundraisers are leading. If your platform or QR generator provides scan analytics, compare which placements (flyer versus sign versus email) drove the most activity. Use this data to improve your next campaign: double down on the placements that worked and drop the ones that did not.

How to Set Up QR Code Donations: A Step-by-Step Guide