Educational intent, product intent, and setup intent
This page owns the broad educational question: what QR code fundraising is, where organizations use it, and what a responsible plan should evaluate. For ScanRaise's printable 1-up, 2-up, and 4-up card layouts, use the product page. Scan-to-donate QR card product
For the task of generating, testing, printing, placing, and maintaining a code, use the separate implementation guide and its downloadable checklist. How to set up and test QR donations
What QR code fundraising means
A QR code encodes a destination, usually a web address. In a fundraising context, the destination should be a giving page that clearly identifies the organization and campaign. A supporter uses a compatible camera or scanner, reviews the displayed destination, opens the page in a browser, and follows that page's donation workflow.
The code does not process a payment by itself. The giving page, payment processor, campaign settings, and organizer account determine the available amounts, required fields, payment methods, confirmation, refund path, fees, and payout flow.
Apple documents scanning through Camera or Code Scanner. Google documents QR scanning in Camera from Google on selected devices and notes that device support varies. Provide a typed URL or descriptive clickable link as an alternate path instead of assuming one camera workflow covers every supporter. Apple QR scanning instructions Google Camera QR scanning instructions
Where organizations use donation QR codes
Printed cards and handouts
Give each organizer-approved participant or campaign a printed code with the organization name, a clear instruction, and a typed fallback URL.
Event programs and table signs
Use venue-approved placements where a supporter can stop without blocking an aisle, exit, queue, or accessible route.
Lobby screens and presentation slides
Display the code long enough to read the instruction and scan from the expected distance. Also show a readable destination or short link.
Storefront or partner locations
Get the business's permission and state the beneficiary so the fundraising code is not confused with the merchant's payment code.
Mail and printed signs
Test the final proof after cropping, folding, lamination, and any change in paper, size, or printer.
Email, social, and websites
Put a descriptive clickable link beside the QR image so a person using the same phone or assistive technology has a direct path. W3C link-purpose guidance
Print, accessibility, and security checks
DENSO WAVE specifies a clear quiet zone four modules wide around a standard QR Code. Final size depends on code density, printer, paper, camera, lighting, and viewing distance, so test the exact final piece rather than relying on a universal dimension. DENSO WAVE quiet-zone guidance DENSO WAVE module-size guidance
The FTC warns that a malicious QR code can open a spoofed site and recommends reviewing the displayed destination before opening it. Inspect public signs for stickers or replacement codes and remove altered material. FTC guidance about harmful QR links
- Use strong light-dark contrast and preserve the full quiet zone.
- Print the expected organization name, instruction, and fallback URL near the code.
- Test the exported file and a final-size physical proof with current devices used by the intended audience.
- Verify the domain, campaign identity, payment result, confirmation, organizer record, and approved refund process.
- Provide a descriptive link or typed URL for people who cannot or do not want to use the visual code.
Fee, payment, and payout questions
A QR code is only an entry point, so the costs come from the fundraising platform, payment processor, and any separate printing or event services. Ask for the platform fee, payment-processing terms, setup or subscription costs, optional-tip behavior, donor fee choices, refund treatment, and payout schedule.
Confirm who is the payment account holder and who receives funds. A connected-processor model and a platform-collected model can use different verification, settlement, payout, refund, and reporting workflows.
Use a written example with stated gift amounts and fee assumptions when comparing options. An example explains arithmetic; it does not predict donations, participation, or net proceeds.
School and participant privacy considerations
For a school or youth campaign, an adult organizer should control the campaign account, payment setup, roster, public display names, printed materials, refunds, and reconciliation. Follow school or district rules for names, photos, contact information, consent, supervision, and approved communications.
A public QR code should not contain student personal information in the encoded destination or printed fallback URL. Review the platform's data controls and the school's own notices and agreements before launch. ScanRaise security and school data controls School fundraising platform capabilities and limits
Where ScanRaise fits
ScanRaise creates printable QR cards for campaign-level fundraisers and organizer-added participants in 1-up, 2-up, and 4-up PDF layouts. Each card opens its assigned giving page, and no ScanRaise donor app or account is required for a QR donation. Printable ScanRaise QR card details
Standard ScanRaise fundraising has a 2.5% platform fee per donation, and payment processing is separate. Connected campaigns receive funds through the organization's Stripe account. Approved platform campaigns receive monthly payouts.
Organizers can review campaign and participant totals, donor records, and supported CSV exports. Apple Pay or Google Pay may appear when the donor's device, browser, country, and the organization's Stripe configuration support the wallet.
For school sign-in, Clever and ClassLink availability depends on an enabled organization plus the applicable provider and school or district approval. Participants do not self-register for the standard QR-card workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Do all donors scan a fundraising QR code the same way?
No. Camera and scanner behavior varies by device and app. Give supporters a typed URL or descriptive clickable link, and test the final material with current devices used by the intended audience.
Does a QR code process the donation?
No. The code opens a destination. The giving page, payment processor, campaign settings, and organizer account control the payment, confirmation, refund, fee, payout, and reporting workflow.
Where should an organization place a donation QR code?
Use approved locations where a person can safely stop, read the beneficiary and instruction, and scan without blocking an aisle, exit, queue, or accessible route. Test the final size, material, lighting, and distance.
How much does QR code fundraising cost?
Costs depend on the platform, processor, printing, and event setup. Compare platform fees, payment processing, setup or subscription costs, tip behavior, donor fee choices, refunds, and payout timing. ScanRaise standard fundraising has a 2.5% platform fee per donation, and payment processing is separate.
Which ScanRaise page should I use for QR cards or setup?
Use the QR-card product page for ScanRaise's printable card workflow. Use the step-by-step setup guide for generation, testing, printing, placement, troubleshooting, and the downloadable checklist. This page is the broader educational overview.
Sources and review notes
Sources checked . External rules and product policies can change, so confirm them before launch.
- Apple Support: Scan a QR code with your iPhone or iPad. Current Apple Camera and Code Scanner workflow.
- Google Camera Help: Scan QR codes. Current Camera from Google workflow and device caveat.
- DENSO WAVE: Point for determining the code area. Four-module quiet-zone requirement for standard QR Code.
- DENSO WAVE: Point for setting the module size. Printer, reader, and module-size considerations.
- FTC: Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes. Consumer guidance to inspect a QR destination and watch for altered or spoofed links.
- W3C WAI: Understanding Link Purpose in Context. Accessibility guidance for descriptive link purpose.