Collect donations as a Swiss association – online, on site and tax-compliant

Swiss associations collect donations most efficiently via an online donation form with multiple payment methods (TWINT, credit card, PostFinance), supplemented by QR code donations on site at events and in print materials. Recurring patron contributions can be set up via automatic monthly deductions. In order for donors to deduct their contributions from their taxes, the association must be recognized as a non-profit organization and be tax-exempt by the cantonal tax authority.

This guide shows you how to set up a donation form as a support association, animal association, parents' association, or social project, offer QR code donations on site, activate recurring donations, and meet the tax requirements for donation receipts.

1. Donation channels for Swiss associations: Online, on site, and in print

Fundraising refers to the systematic raising of funds and in-kind resources for charitable purposes. For Swiss associations, four central donation channels are available today, which complement each other and should be operated in parallel.

The first and most important channel is the online donation form on the association's website. Donors enter the amount (or choose a suggested amount), select TWINT, credit card, or PostFinance, and donate within seconds. The second channel is the QR code on site – printed on flyers, posters, at the information stand, or in the shop window. The third channel is the payment link (Paylink) in newsletters, emails, and social media posts. The fourth channel is recurring donations (Recurring Donations) – monthly patron contributions that are automatically deducted.

2. Setting up an online donation form: What you need

A donation form is a payment page embedded or hosted on your website, specially configured for donation receipts. Unlike a normal online shop, there is no shopping cart, but rather an amount selection field and optional personal details of the donor for the donation receipt.

2.1 Elements of a good donation form

The form should carry the association's logo and colors so that donors immediately associate it with the association. Offer 3–4 suggested amounts (e.g. CHF 20, CHF 50, CHF 100, CHF 200) plus a free field for individual amounts. Allow the choice between a one-time and a recurring donation (monthly, quarterly, annually). Show a thank-you page after payment with confirmation and reference to the donation receipt.

2.2 Providers of donation forms in Switzerland

The following table compares the most common solutions for Swiss associations.

Tip: For associations with fewer than 500 donors per year, a PSP with an integrated donation form is often the simplest and cheapest solution. Professional fundraising platforms are worthwhile from a donation volume of several tens of thousand francs annually.

3. QR code donation on site: At the stand, on the flyer, in the shop window

A QR code leading to a donation form or payment page is the easiest way to collect cashless donations on site. Donors scan the code with their smartphone, choose the amount and the payment method, and donate in seconds – without cash, without a donation box.

There are two variations. A TWINT-only QR (e.g. via RaiseNow) works exclusively with the TWINT app. A multi-payment QR (e.g. via a PSP like Payrexx or Payrexx) leads to a payment page that accepts TWINT, credit cards, PostFinance, and wallets. For associations with an international audience (e.g. animal shelters with tourists, cultural associations near borders), the multi-payment QR is the more flexible choice.

Print the QR code in at least 5 × 5 cm on flyers, posters, roll-ups, or stickers. Label it clearly: "Donate now – scan QR code". Test the code with different smartphones before printing. Laminate prints at the stand to protect against weather.

4. Recurring donations: Automate patron contributions

Recurring donations (Recurring Donations) are the most valuable type of donation for non-profit associations: they ensure predictable, regular cash flow. A patron who donates CHF 20 monthly brings the association CHF 240 a year – often more than a one-time spontaneous donation.

Technically, Recurring Donations work via credit card tokenization or a direct debit mandate. Donors authorize the recurring charge once, and the payment service provider (PSP) automatically deducts the amount. On the donation form, you offer the option "Donate monthly" next to "Donate once". Most fundraising platforms and PSPs like RaiseNow, FundraisingBox, or Payrexx support this function.

For communication, it is recommended to use the term "patron" or "sponsor" instead of "subscriber". This creates an emotional connection. Offer different patron tiers – e.g. "Bronze Patron: CHF 10/month", "Silver Patron: CHF 25/month", "Gold Patron: CHF 50/month" – and communicate what each tier specifically achieves.

5. Paylink in newsletter and social media

A Paylink is a URL that leads directly to your donation form. You can embed it in any digital channel: newsletter, email signature, Facebook post, Instagram bio, WhatsApp message. The advantage over a QR code: the recipient does not need to scan but simply clicks on the link.

For social media campaigns, a descriptive link is recommended (e.g. "association-name.ch/donation"), which redirects to the donation form. Tell a concrete story in the message: "With CHF 50 you fund a month's food for a foster animal" works better than "Please donate". Use the link in automated thank-you emails as well: "Thank you for your donation! Would you like to support us regularly? [Link]".

6. Tax principles: Donation receipt and non-profit status

In order for donors to deduct their contributions on their tax returns, the association must be recognized as a non-profit organization and be tax-exempt by the cantonal tax authority. Tax exemption due to charity is not automatic – the association must file an application with the cantonal tax administration at its registered office.

6.1 Requirements for tax exemption

The association's purpose must serve the public good (principle of altruism) – that is, the activity does not only benefit its own members. No profits may be distributed to members (disinterestedness). Upon dissolution, the association's assets must transfer to another non-profit organization (irrevocability). Sports and cultural associations that primarily serve their members generally do not meet these criteria.

6.2 Issuing a donation receipt

Only tax-exempt associations are allowed to issue donation receipts. The format is not prescribed, but the receipt must include the name of the association, the name of the donor, and the amount. Donors can deduct donations to non-profit organizations for federal tax and in most cantons up to 20 % of net income. The minimum amount is usually CHF 100 per year.

Important: This section does not replace tax or legal advice. Cantonal regulations differ significantly. Check the current guidelines with the cantonal tax administration of your canton of registration or the Zewo directory of tax-exempt organizations.

7. Cost comparison: How much does a digital donation system cost?

The following sample calculation shows the annual costs for an association that collects CHF 15’000 in donations per year (approx. 200 individual donations with an average of CHF 75).

Note: Fees are benchmarks for domestic Swiss transactions (as of 2026). TWINT transactions usually cost 1.3–1.5 %, credit card payments approx. 1.65 % + fixed fee. TWINT QR Pay Plus via RaiseNow is approx. 2.5 %. Check current conditions with the provider.

8. Checklist: Collecting donations as a Swiss association

• Check association purpose in the statutes: Is the purpose formulated as non-profit?

• Tax exemption applied for or exists at the canton? (Prerequisite for donation receipts)

• Association account (IBAN) opened at a Swiss bank

• PSP or fundraising platform account opened and verified

• Donation form set up: logo, colors, 3–4 donation amounts, free field, thank-you page

• Recurring donations activated (monthly, quarterly)

• QR code created, tested and prepared for print (at least 5 × 5 cm)

• Paylink embedded in newsletter, email signature, and social media profiles

• Donation receipt prepared (if tax-exempt): template with association name, donor name, amount

• Process defined for annual collective donation receipt (e.g. in January for the previous year)

Payrexx offers a customizable donation form with TWINT, credit card, PostFinance, and mobile wallets – hosted without its own website. The form can be configured with a logo, colors, and individual donation amounts and supports recurring donations.

Recognized charitable organizations receive a 50 % discount on all paid subscriptions. The Free subscription has no monthly fixed costs – the association only pays transaction fees on actual incoming donations.

."}