BILLINGS- A Billings nonprofit could be changing the way people donate by making it convenient for those who don’t carry cash.
Dress for Success, Billings provides professional attire and development tools to women in the community.
Recently, the organization starting using something called Dip Jar, which is much like a tip jar, but for your debit card. They are among only a handful of organizations in Billings that use this new software to garner more donations for fundraising.
“We named her Debbie,” said Executive Director Briana Rickman.
Rickman said the Dip Jar, named Debbie, was purchased in December, costing the organization roughly $400 upfront. She believes the initial cost is worth it.
“It’s a small machine that allows nonprofits to fundraise easily,” said Rickman. “We are excited.”
And that’s because, she said, they have already seen an increase in donations.
“Nowadays, most people don’t have cash, (but) they want to help nonprofits,” she said. “Almost everyone has a debit or credit card, and it’s easy to use and it’s a really easy way for people to give back.”
Using the Dip Jar is designed to be convenient and simple. You slide in a debit card, wait for an arrow and a quick tune and the donation is done.
Rickman said a receipt is also available upon request.
Fundraising for is at the highest level of importance for organizations like Dress for Success, as they rely heavily on apparel donations but also monetary donations to purchase things like undergarments for their female clients.
Rickman said in recent weeks, they have been doing a push to get Debbie the Dip Jar out in front of people.
“Our purpose of having the Dip Jar is to put it in places we wouldn’t have had it before, where we wouldn’t have been asking for donations, but now we can,” she said.
There is an annual cost, but for Dress for Success, the upfront costs didn’t come close to the Dip Jar’s potential to reach those who want to give but just don’t carry cash.
“Even if it’s $10, that’s $10 more than we had the day before,” said Rickman.
Now she is hoping other organizations and business will be interested in partnering to showcase Dip Jar and allow patrons to help donate.
“We are looking for business or people that would like take Debbie for the day or for the week and set her up at your place of business.”
Reporting by Andrea Lutz for MTN News
