Donkey Mobile: In-app donations to charities
In 2019, Henrik Wienen launched Donkey Mobile, a community app for churches. The app had a dual purpose: to actively maintain communication and connection with church communities, even outside of services, and to enable digital donations. Now, five years later, the app continues to grow in popularity, with over 500 churches having their own app on the Donkey Mobile platform.
Start accepting online payments immediately
Create a free Buckaroo account in just 5 minutes and start receiving (online) payments.
"Giving is never a cold transaction; you are supporting a story or a cause you want to contribute to."
— Henrik Wienen, CEO of Donkey Mobile
- Challenge and Solution
Donkey Mobile faced a challenge: how to enable digital donations without being involved in the money flow, as the platform is not a financial institution? Buckaroo was brought in as a partner to handle the donations. - Solution
In-app payment processing via Buckaroo. - Result
133,569 users of the Donkey Mobile app.
The power of a church as a community
“A church is a community, a gathering of different people with the same goal. People who attend the same church are connected to one another. The same applies to donations: giving is never a cold transaction; you are supporting a story or a cause you want to contribute to. The transaction itself is necessary, but it’s not what motivates people to give. Of course, we want the transaction to be as smooth as possible,” Henrik explains.
The app facilitates this connection. Users can share messages and content, which strengthens the bond within the community. At the same time, collection revenues increase thanks to easy payment options via QR codes or a digital balance. In a time where cash is used less and less, the app offers a solution.
Also receive payments on your e-Commerce platform? Check out our ready-made plugins for various web shops
Webshop plugins
Donate through the app
The Donkey Mobile app makes donating simple and accessible. When a churchgoer downloads the app, scanning a QR code leads them directly to the app. For those without the app, a website opens instead. Within the app, users can top up their balance, which can then be donated to various causes such as the diaconate, specific campaigns, or a church of their choice. This process can also be completed via the website, but transactions through the app are free of additional charges.
People watching from home via platforms like YouTube or Kerkdienst Gemist can also contribute digitally. For subsequent donations, users do not need to scan the QR code again; this can be done directly through the app. Digital donations also prove to be more effective: “You no longer need to carry cash to make a donation. The average donation amount is even higher with digital contributions,” Henrik observes.
"You no longer need to carry cash to make a donation. The average donation amount is even higher with digital contributions."
— Henrik Wienen, CEO of Donkey Mobile
Collaboration with Buckaroo
To ensure the donation process is secure and scalable, Donkey Mobile has partnered with Buckaroo. The donated amount goes directly to the connected church; Donkey Mobile does not manage any funds but provides insights into donation flows. During the onboarding of new churches, Buckaroo ensures a streamlined KYC process. With this access, Donkey Mobile can easily manage onboarding for churches and upload all relevant data for the KYC process.
Innovation and Future
Donkey Mobile continues to grow, expecting to onboard 12 to 15 new churches each month. The goal is to further expand the platform with new payment methods such as PayPal and credit cards. Jordy van der Heijden, Android developer at Donkey Mobile, says: “Integrating Bancontact was seamless, as the framework for iDEAL was already in place. We will continue to roll out product updates for the app once a month.” Henrik adds: “This way, we ensure that donating becomes even easier and that we can support churches even more effectively.”
E-book: 'Towards an optimal payment strategy'
Wondering how to optimize your payment strategy? Then download our e-book.
Create a free account
-
Outstanding customer service
Help when you need it -
Clear rates
Only pay for successful transactions -
40+ popular payment methods
We help you choose the right payment methods
By clicking the send button, you give Buckaroo permission to send you marketing information in accordance with our privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.