Support donations with the right tech stack
How to
Let’s break down the essentials of building a donation-friendly digital system - one that fits your organisation, is future-proof and focused on action.
When it comes to driving digital donations, every click counts. But increasing online support takes more than just a shiny website. Your cause needs a seamless digital experience that earns trust and inspires action. And behind every donation form, email campaign and social share is a tech stack quietly working to turn intention into impact.
But with budgets to stick to and an often overwhelming amount of digital tools to choose from, how do you make sure your tech stack is helping progress, not hindering it? Let’s break down the essentials of building a donation-friendly digital system - one that fits your organisation, is future-proof and focused on action.
Start with strategy, not software
The latest platforms and plugins can be exciting, with demos and discounts luring us in. But before choosing your software, it’s important to clarify your digital fundraising goals. Are you trying to increase one-off donations, grow monthly giving or reach a new generation of supporters? Keeping your objectives front of mind is the only way to select software which will actually help you to achieve them. Remember - your tech stack should support your strategy, not the other way around.
Start by mapping your donor journey - from discovery (social media, SEO, paid ads) to conversion (landing pages, forms, payment gateways) and retention (email, CRM, community). This will highlight the key touchpoints where tech can have the most impact. Even if you’ve already got systems and software in place, this is an important activity. Mapping your donor journey will allow you to review your current tech’s effectiveness and assess it against your cause’s specific goals.
The must-have tools in a modern charity tech stack
From seamless sites and digital donation platforms to CRMs that keep supporters engaged and email software that helps you tell your story in just the right way, these tools are the backbone of an efficient, impactful organisation. So, here’s a closer look at the essentials - and why they really matter for charities today.
1. User-friendly website with flexible CMS
Your website is your digital front door. Sure you want it to look good, but it’s equally important to make sure it’s fast, mobile-optimised and accessible. A modern Content Management System (like Umbraco) lets your team update content without the need for a developer - this is key for campaigns, and causes, that move fast. Bonus points if your site offers in-built integrations with donation platforms, CRMs and email tools.
2. Secure, streamlined donation platform
A clunky donation form is the fastest way to lose a would-be donor. So make sure you choose a platform that offers mobile-first design, multiple payment methods (Apple Pay, PayPal, card) and one-click recurring donations. Tools like Enthuse, Donorbox and Raisely are built for charities and offer solid integration options.
3. CRM that helps you know (and grow) your audience
A good CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system is the best way to keep track of donors, allowing you to segment audiences and personalise communications. There’s tonnes of charity specific CRMs to choose from today, but whether you opt for Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, Beacon or HubSpot for Charities, make sure it integrates easily with any existing donation and email tools you’re using. This is what powers those personalised communications that show supporters the impact of their donation and build long-term loyalty.
4. Email marketing that feels personal, not pushy
Email is an oldie but a goodie. In 2025, email campaigns are still one of the most cost-effective ways for non-profit brands to connect with supporters. Platforms like Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor and ConvertKit make creating and automating communications based on donor behaviour simple. Select a platform your team is comfortable using and establish email sequences that welcome new supporters, share stories of impact and encourage past donors to re-engage. Segmented, timely emails (rather than one-size-fits-all) will increase open rates and enhance trust.
5. Analytics that track what matters
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. So use Google Analytics (GA4), Hotjar or built-in platform reports to track where donations are coming from, which content is encouraging action and where users are dropping off. These insights will help you make smarter decisions that improve performance, as well as justifying investments to your stakeholders.
Integrations are key (but keep it simple)
A truly effective tech stack is more than the sum of its parts, it’s how each element works together to improve the entire digital experience (for both supporters and staff). For internal teams, integrations reduce manual work and keep your data clean to inform decision making. Whilst for donors, they help to make the digital experience seamless, engaging and inspiring.
But resist the temptation to bolt on too much at once as, without expert digital support, things can quickly get complicated. Where possible, choose platforms with native integrations or open APIs. And consider using middleware like Zapier or Make to automate workflows without needing a full development team.
Accessibility, security and trust
Ah, accessibility, security and trust. There’s a lot of talk of these three words nowadays, but for good reason. For charities, these aren’t just “nice-to-haves” - they’re non-negotiables.
To be accessible, make sure your site and donation forms meet WCAG 2.1 standards. Every supporter should be able to donate, regardless of ability. To stay secure use HTTPS, maintain PCI compliance for payments and keep software up to date. And to build trust, display impact metrics, testimonials and charity accreditation clearly - these build the confidence needed to make those all-important donations (especially for new visitors).
Keep it human
At the heart of every donation is a human story - someone inspired by your cause and hoping to make a difference. Your tech stack should never get in the way of that connection, in fact it should support it.
By choosing tools based on your specific targets and your team’s capabilities you’ll create a smooth donor experience that seamlessly guides people from learning about your cause to becoming a lifelong supporter. And you’ll free up time for your team to focus on what really matters: your mission.