Fundraising glossary: donation terms, defined plainly
What each giving term actually covers, what it usually costs, and what to ask a vendor before you sign.
Giving tools
- Donation kioskUnderstand the technology behind donation kiosks. Learn how self-service tap-to-donate terminals differ from retail POS setups, and how to choose the right kiosk for your organization.
- Tap to donateTap to donate lets supporters give by holding a contactless card or phone near a reader. Learn how NFC giving works, what it costs, and how to deploy it.
- Digital collection plateA digital collection plate is any electronic giving channel that replaces the passed offering plate: giving kiosks, QR codes, text giving, and online forms.
- Text to giveText to give lets supporters donate by texting a keyword to a number. How short codes work, what text giving costs, and when text beats QR or a kiosk.
- Recurring givingRecurring giving is a donor commitment to contribute on a set schedule. Learn how recurring gift programs work, how nonprofits set them up, and how to increase recurring donor retention.
- Fund routingFund routing is the process of designating a donation to a specific purpose at the time of giving. Learn how restricted and unrestricted funds work, why designation matters for compliance, and how to configure fund routing on a kiosk.
- Donor CRMA donor CRM is a database and relationship management system built specifically for nonprofits. Learn what donor CRMs track, how they differ from general CRMs, and what to look for when choosing one.
Faith and charity
- SadaqahSadaqah is voluntary charity in Islam, given in any amount at any time beyond the obligatory zakat. Learn what counts as sadaqah, how it differs from zakat and sadaqah jariyah, and how mosques collect it.
- Sadaqah jariyahSadaqah jariyah is ongoing charity in Islam whose reward keeps flowing. Learn its meaning, hadith basis, and real examples, then set up recurring giving to your masjid.
- WaqfA clear guide to what waqf means in Islam: its history funding mosques, schools, and wells, how it differs from sadaqah jariyah and zakat, plus modern community endowment funds.
- TzedakahWhat is tzedakah? A plain explainer of the Jewish duty of righteous giving, the meaning of the word, Chai gifts in multiples of 18, and how synagogues collect it.
- TithingWhat is tithing? A clear, non-prescriptive guide to the biblical tenth from Malachi 3:10 and Leviticus 27:30, gross vs net, and tithe vs offering.
- OffertoryWhat is the offertory? A plain explainer of the collection at Mass: the weekly offering, second collections, restricted funds, and the move to tap-to-pay giving.
- StewardshipA clear look at what stewardship in church means: managing time, talent, and treasure as a response of faith, plus how it differs from the tithe and pledge season.