Technology is developing rapidly, meaning it’s changing almost every sector of our existence, and charity is no exception. Whether it’s a Ramadan appeal or a water appeal, technology has more of an impact than ever before. In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown accelerated how quickly technology needed to develop and improve for the charity sector. This is because social distancing meant that physical charity events and donations couldn’t take place, meaning all practices had to be digitized. While we’ve emerged from the other side of the lockdown, a number of valuable advancements have remained.

Virtual Reality

Speaking of COVID-19, this saw virtual reality skyrocket in popularity, and this trend is continuing to grow. This is relevant to the charity sector, as some charities are making use of computer simulation programs to show the extent of the situations of those in need. Similarly, virtual reality provides great training opportunities for charity workers, allowing them to practice interacting with those in need. This helps ensure matters are handled sensitively, which is imperative when it comes to protecting those who need it most. Ultimately, the safety of individuals is the number one priority, and virtual reality helps facilitate this.

Artificial Intelligence

AI is another feature that was accelerated by the lockdown, as many charities were hit by staff shortages. As a result, AI needed to be employed to fill the void and deliver the necessary services effectively. This is because AI is capable of analyzing data, recognizing patterns, and making decisions that best adhere to the organization’s needs. While some charities have turned to AI, many others have held off on doing so. This is because AI is a daunting concept. Despite this, its potential in the charity sector can’t be underestimated.

Blockchain

The whole point of a charity site is to obtain donations from users. As a result, users need to be able to trust the site. After all, they want to be sure that their hard-earned money is going to the right place. Fortunately, blockchain was developed, giving donors the ability to monitor how donations are being used by charities. Not only does this encourage one-time donations, but it also makes repeat donations more likely. This is because donors are able to see what their donation has been used for, inciting trust within them.

Social Media

Social media is constantly growing, with a number of different platforms. The longest-reigning platform is LinkedIn, which was established in 2003 and is still a popular site today. It was closely followed by Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and, of course, TikTok. Social media is ideal for connecting communities, making it one of the best ways to spread awareness and encourage donations. Similarly, it’s an ideal method of engaging the younger generation with charity, with 98% of Gen Z being on social media. Awareness is the most important thing for a charity, and social media makes this possible.

Contactless Payments

Last but not least is contactless payments, which had a massive impact on the charity sector. Today, you’ll so seldom find someone walking around with a pocketful of change, meaning charities were forced to evolve. Contactless payments have meant that it doesn’t matter whether someone has physical cash on them or not; it’s all about whether they have money in their bank account. Not only does this make it more convenient for the donor, but it also makes it easier for the organization to track payments. As a result, ethical practice is much easier to guarantee.

The impact of technology on charity simply can’t be denied, and it’s only set to grow.