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 supporter contributions can be set up via automatic monthly debits. So that donors can deduct their contributions for tax purposes, the association must be recognised as charitable and tax-exempt by the cantonal tax authority.

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

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

Fundraising refers to the systematic procurement of financial and material 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 website. Donors enter the amount (or select a suggested amount), choose TWINT, credit card or PostFinance and donate in just a few 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 supporter contributions that are debited automatically.

2. Set up an online donation form: what you need

A donation form is a payment page embedded in or hosted on your website that is configured specifically for incoming donations. Unlike a normal online shop, there is no shopping basket, but rather an amount selection field and, optionally, the donor's personal details for the donation receipt.

2.1 Elements of a good donation form

The form should display the association logo and colours so that donors can immediately identify it with the association. Offer 3–4 suggested amounts (e.g. EUR 20, EUR 50, EUR 100, EUR 200) plus a free-text field for individual amounts. Enable selection between one-off and recurring donations (monthly, quarterly, annually). After payment, show a thank-you page with confirmation and a note about 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 most cost-effective solution. Professional fundraising platforms are worthwhile from annual donation revenue of several tens of thousands of euros.

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

A QR code that leads to a donation form or a payment page is the simplest way to collect cashless donations on site. The donor scans the code with the smartphone, selects the amount and payment method and donates in seconds – without cash, without a collection tin.

There are two variants. A TWINT-only-QR (e.g. via RaiseNow) works exclusively with the TWINT app. A multi-payment-method-QR (e.g. via a PSP such as Payrexx or HypiPay) 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 the border), the multi-payment-method-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 the QR code». Test the code before printing with different smartphones. Laminate printed copies at the stand to protect them from the weather.

4. Recurring donations: automate supporter contributions

Recurring donations (Recurring Donations) are the most valuable type of donation for charitable associations: they provide predictable, regular cash flow. A supporter who donates EUR 20 monthly brings the association EUR 240 per year – often more than a one-off spontaneous donation.

Technically, Recurring Donations work via credit card tokenisation or a direct debit mandate. The donor authorises the recurring charge once, and the Payment Service Provider (PSP) debits the amount automatically. On the donation form, you offer the option «Donate monthly» alongside «Donate once». Most fundraising platforms and PSPs such as RaiseNow, FundraisingBox or Payrexx support this function.

For communication, it is recommended to use the term «supporter» or «patron» instead of «subscriber». That creates an emotional connection. Offer different supporter tiers – e.g. «Bronze supporter: EUR 10/month», «Silver supporter: EUR 25/month», «Gold supporter: EUR 50/month» – and communicate what each tier achieves in concrete terms.

5. Paylink in newsletters 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 the link.

For social media campaigns, a descriptive link (e.g. «association-name.ch/donate») that forwards to the donation form is recommended. Tell a concrete story in the message: «With EUR 50 you finance one month of food for a foster animal» has a stronger impact than «Please donate». Use the link also in automated thank-you emails: «Thank you for your donation! Would you like to support us regularly? [Link]».

6. Tax basics: donation receipt and charitable status

So that donors can deduct their contributions in their tax return, the association must be recognised as charitable and tax-exempt by the cantonal tax authority. Tax exemption on the grounds of charitable status is not automatic – the association must submit an application to the cantonal tax administration at its registered office.

6.1 Requirements for tax exemption

The association's purpose must serve the common good (principle of altruism) – that is, the activity benefits not only its own members. No profit may be distributed to members (principle of non-interest). On dissolution, the association's assets must go to another charitable organisation (irrevocability). Sports and cultural associations that primarily serve their members generally do not meet these criteria.

6.2 Issue donation receipts

Only tax-exempt associations may issue donation receipts. The form is not prescribed, but the receipt must contain the name of the association, the donor's name and the amount. Donors can deduct contributions to charitable organisations from federal tax and in most cantons up to 20 % of net income. The minimum amount is generally EUR 100 per year.

Important: This section does not replace tax or legal advice. Cantonal rules differ considerably. Check the current requirements with the cantonal tax administration of your canton of registration or with the Zewo directory of tax-exempt organisations.

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

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

Note: The fees are guideline values for Swiss domestic transactions (as at 2026). TWINT transactions generally cost 1.3–1.5 %, credit card payments approx. 1.65 % + fixed amount. TWINT QR Pay Plus via RaiseNow is approx. 2.5 %. Check the current conditions with the provider.

8. Checklist: collecting donations as a Swiss association

• Check the association's purpose in the articles: Is the purpose formulated as charitable?

• Tax exemption applied for or already in place with the canton? (Prerequisite for donation receipts)

• Association account (IBAN) opened with a Swiss bank

• PSP or fundraising platform account opened and verified

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

• Recurring donations activated (monthly, quarterly)

• QR code created, tested and prepared for print (min. 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 associations a customisable donation form with TWINT, credit card, PostFinance and mobile wallets – hosted without your own website. The form can be configured with logo, colours and individual donation amounts and supports recurring donations.

Recognised charitable organisations receive 50 % discount on all paid subscriptions. The free subscription has no monthly fixed costs – the association pays only transaction fees when actual donations come in.