Aids awareness nonprofit AID Atlanta recently began using a mobile application called MobilePay to process credit cards in a faster and easier manner.

MobilePay was released on Aug. 7 by Blackbaud, which provides software and technology that is specifically geared towards nonprofits. The app is available in Apple’s App Store and Google Play for nonprofits in the United States, and clients receive two complimentary Blackbaud MobilePay card readers that attach to the mobile devices.

“MobilePay allows us to streamline our business processes by allowing us to have all of our credit card information in one place,” said Ed Doolittle, donor services manager at AID Atlanta, Atlanta.

“It allows for effortless export for data entry and makes for easy balancing at the end of the month,” he said. “Everything is in one location at one rate, in a single report compared to the two reports we previously used with various rates.

“Using the Merchant Services Portal to set people up to use the card readers is easy, and we are able to accept donations across various departments. In addition, we know that the solution is secure and is PCI compliant.”

AID Atlanta is a social impact organization that provides education and support services for people living with HIV and AIDS.

MobilePay
To use the technology, nonprofits acquire the card reader and attach it to their mobile device.

Nonprofit staff can log into the app on an iPhone, iPad or Android, enter the amount of the donation and the donor’s email. Then they swipe the card, obtain a signature and finalize the payment.

All of this can be done without being connected to the Internet.

Additionally, the system automatically emails a receipt to each donor.

The funds can then be collected from Blackbaud along with other transactions through the company’s services.

On-the-go donations
The MobilePay system was designed to be used on the go, so that when a nonprofit is hosting an event and wants to be able to accept donations out in the field, the organization can easily accept credit card donations via the system.

According to Steve Klein, head of payment services at Blackbaud, Charleston, SC, MobilePay’s focus on not needing Wi-Fi makes the service stand out in mobile payments.

As a result of using MobilePay, AID Atlanta is expanding its use of credit cards at events since consumers are less likely to carry cash nowadays.

“It has allowed us to speed up silent auction checkout, by having several lines open checking people out,” Mr. Doolittle said.

“We expect this to allow us to raise more money at our signature event, AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run, on the day of event at the donations tent,” he said.

Final Take
Rebecca Borison is editorial assistant on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York