Shakespeare Schools Foundation (SSF) held it’s first ever stand-up comedy night in June 2018 in aid of its transformative work with young people nationwide. The event, A Man Walks into a Bard, took place in the heart of the London at the iconic, The Comedy Store and featured some of the world’s most favourite comedians.

Another first for SSF was introducing a tap+DONATE™ box to the comedy event providing 400 people an additional way to support the charity. In 2016 92 million contactless cards were in circulation and by June 2016 alone, £1.9 billion of transactions were taken on contactless cards. It’s been two years since that data was published and with the introduction of Apple and Google Pay, the charity sector has to adapt to new ways of making giving easier for it’s audiences. SSF recognised this and reached out to networks in order to trial the contactless giving function.

“Registered charity National Funding Scheme (providers of the DONATE™ service) got us their tap+DONATE™ box within 5 days. From point of inquiry through to delivery they went above and beyond to ensure SSF would raise the crucial funds it needs to make our work happen. We had a sell-out audience of 370 people and raised £103 from cash donations but £515 from contactless giving (5 times) and a 27% increase in donors over cash alone.”