We’re delighted to introduce Pay by Bank, a new payment option for donors supporting campaigns on Big Give. This feature makes giving even easier by allowing donations to be made directly from an online bank account or banking app – no card details required.
For donors, this means a quick, secure, and convenient way to support the causes you care about. For charities, it opens up another seamless route for donations during campaign weeks.
How it works
The donation journey hasn’t changed: simply choose your charity and donation amount as normal. At step 3 of the process, donors can now select Pay by Bank, then follow the on-screen instructions. Donations made through Pay by Bank can be as little as £1 or as much as £10,000, giving flexibility to supporters at every level.
Pay by Bank vs Donation Funds – what’s the difference?
For charities already familiar with our Donations Funds feature, launched in 2023, it’s important to understand how the two differ.
Donation Funds are designed to support larger BACS donations and follows a slightly different process. Donors create a Big Give donor account and transfer funds into it before allocating donations to one or multiple campaigns, usually in advance of the campaign week to allow for processing.
Pay by Bank, by contrast, does not require an account or pre-transfer of funds. Donations are made instantly and directly through a donor’s bank app.
So, when might a donor use Donation Funds instead of Pay by Bank?
- When giving over £10,000 via bank transfer
- If their bank requires dual approval for transfers
- If their bank isn’t currently supported by Pay by Bank (check the list here)
- If they’re a funder looking to donate to multiple charities during a campaign, where Donation Funds offers added convenience.
How charities can share this with their donors
To help your supporters feel confident using Pay by Bank, you may want to:
- Highlight ease and security: Emphasise that donations can be made directly through a donor’s trusted banking app – no need for putting in their card details.
- Reassure around impact: Make clear that Pay by Bank donations work exactly like card donations, meaning they count towards your campaign total and are matched (provided match funds are still available).
- Include it in your campaign comms: Mention “now with Pay by Bank” in emails, social posts, or on campaign pages to normalise the option for donors.
- Keep Donation Funds messaging targeted: Share the Donation Funds feature only with larger donors who may benefit, to avoid confusion for general supporters.
For full guidance on Pay by Bank and how it works alongside Donation Funds, visit our support hub.