Mosques across the UK are seeing the same shift as every other place of worship: fewer worshippers carry cash, yet the duty and desire to give remains as strong as ever. A contactless donation point lets a congregation give Sadaqah, fulfil Zakat where appropriate, and contribute at Jummah and during Ramadan, all with a simple tap. This guide explains how contactless giving works in a mosque, how to handle different kinds of giving on one device, and where Gift Aid fits for a registered charity.
The need is practical and immediate. The Friday congregation is at its largest exactly when loose change is at its scarcest, and the high points of the year, Ramadan and the two Eids, are when giving peaks and footfall is heaviest. A device that takes a tap meets the congregation where they are, with a card or phone rather than coins.
How contactless giving works in a mosque
At the donation point, the giver sees the cause on screen, chooses an amount or enters their own, and taps a contactless card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. On a DonorDynamics device the experience runs on Give A Little, and payment runs through Stripe Tap to Pay built into the device, with funds settling to the masjid's existing bank account. Each gift is recorded against a campaign, which matters in a mosque where different funds, the building, Sadaqah, Zakat, a specific appeal, need to be kept separate and accountable.
Because the device shows your own branding and wording, the giving screen can be set up to reflect the masjid and the cause clearly, in a way that a plain card reader cannot. And because it runs in locked kiosk mode and is PCI DSS compliant, no card data ever touches your systems, which keeps the trustees' duties simple.
Handling Sadaqah, Zakat and appeals on one device
Different kinds of giving carry different rules, so it helps that a single device can present several distinct funds. The screen can offer a general Sadaqah option, a building or running costs fund, and specific appeals, with each tap recorded to the right fund so the treasurer can report accurately. For Zakat, which must be directed to eligible recipients, a clearly labelled Zakat fund keeps those gifts separate from general donations, so they can be distributed in line with the masjid's policy.
Because the campaigns on screen are managed remotely and switched on and off whenever you choose, the device can carry a Ramadan appeal through the month and return to its usual funds afterwards, with no fixed dates to set and nothing to swap by hand. Several devices, by the main entrance, the women's section and the hall, can each show the right fund for their location.
Gift Aid for mosques
A mosque that is a registered charity can claim Gift Aid in the same way as any other charity. Where a UK taxpayer adds a Gift Aid declaration on screen, the masjid can reclaim 25 percent on top of their gift at no cost to the giver, and the device captures the declaration at the point of giving. Small anonymous contactless gifts of 30 pounds or less can also be claimed under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme, which since 2017 covers contactless. For a busy Jummah collection of many small taps, that route can add up quickly. Our guide to Gift Aid on contactless donations sets out the rules, and it is always worth checking the current HMRC guidance before claiming.
Choosing a device for your masjid
The right format depends on the space. The CharityStand is a secure floor standing point for a busy entrance or hall, with the tablet locked down for unattended use. The CharityPole gives a slim freestanding footprint that suits a prayer hall lobby. The CharityTab is compact enough to place at several points or move between them. All run Android 14 on the same contactless hardware, are managed from one place, and are a one time purchase from 399 pounds with no subscription to us.
For the wider category, see what a giving station is and the digital collection box guide. Our mosque donation kiosks page brings the options together for masjids. To see every format, browse the range, or tell us about your masjid and we will recommend a setup.
Frequently asked questions
Can mosques accept contactless donations? Yes. A contactless donation point lets the congregation give Sadaqah, contribute at Jummah and support appeals by tapping a card or phone, with each gift recorded to the right fund and settled to the masjid's bank account.
Can a mosque collect Zakat on a contactless device? Yes. The device can present a clearly labelled Zakat fund separate from general donations, so those gifts are recorded apart and can be distributed in line with the masjid's policy.
Can mosques claim Gift Aid on donations? A mosque that is a registered charity can claim Gift Aid at 25 percent where a UK taxpayer adds a declaration, captured on screen, and can claim small anonymous contactless gifts under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme.
How much does a mosque donation device cost? DonorDynamics devices are a one time purchase from 399 pounds, with no subscription to us. Give A Little applies a platform fee and Stripe charges its standard rate.