Lumberjack, a cultural association in Lucerne, faced challenges collecting donations as cash usage declined. By integrating RaiseNow's TWINT solution, they streamlined payments at their events, resulting in 40% of total funds collected via TWINT and an increase in average donation size. Discover how this modern payment method transformed their fundraising efforts.
A new approach to event fundraising
Lumberjack, a cultural association based in Lucerne, Switzerland, is dedicated to promoting live music and cultural events. Their mission is to provide small and medium-sized bands with more performance opportunities while making live music accessible to local audiences.
One of their flagship initiatives, There Are Words Bands Festival Lucerne, features nightly concerts in venues across the city. To ensure artists receive fair compensation while keeping events accessible, Lumberjack operates on a "pay what you want" model—where attendees decide their entry fee. However, as cash payments decline, they needed a modern, frictionless way to collect donations.
The challenge: a shift away from cash
Lumberjack's donation-based model relies on attendees contributing voluntarily. While this approach fosters inclusivity, the increasing shift towards cashless transactions created a barrier to giving. Attendees often arrived without cash, making it difficult to contribute—even when they wanted to support the event.
To continue generating essential funds for artists, the organisation required a seamless, digital payment solution that would enable attendees to donate easily—without the need for physical cash or complex transactions.
The Solution: RaiseNow TWINT QR Codes
Lumberjack discovered RaiseNow TWINT after seeing them in action at a partner venue. The organisation was impressed by the simplicity of the system and the increased donations it facilitated.
After a quick and hassle-free registration process, their account was activated within just a few days. Depending on the venue, they either placed QR code stands at entrances or used wearable lanyards with QR stickers, allowing attendees to scan the code and contribute instantly via their smartphones.
This solution eliminated friction in the donation process, making it easier than ever for audiences to support live music in Lucerne.
The Impact: A 40% Increase in Digital Donations
The results of implementing RaiseNow TWINT QR codes were immediate and measurable:
- 40% of all donations were collected via TWINT QR codes, demonstrating a clear shift towards digital giving.
- The average donation per attendee increased from CHF 12 to CHF 14, highlighting the ease of digital transactions.
- Total festival donations reached CHF 8,000, with CHF 3,200 processed digitally, ensuring a significant and reliable revenue stream for artists.
Despite minor technical challenges such as low lighting and weak mobile signals, the overall experience for both the organisation and attendees was smooth and highly effective.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Digital Fundraising
Encouraged by these results, Lumberjack is now looking to expand its use of RaiseNow TWINT QR codes beyond festivals. They plan to integrate QR codes into merchandise sales and ongoing band fundraising efforts, ensuring musicians can collect contributions wherever they perform.
Additionally, the team is considering innovative approaches – such as printing QR codes directly onto t-shirts – allowing audiences to donate with a quick scan, even outside of live events.
Conclusion
By adopting RaiseNow’s TWINT solution, Lumberjack successfully adapted to changing donation behaviours, making it easier for attendees to contribute while significantly increasing overall funds raised.
With a modern, flexible, and user-friendly payment solution in place, the organisation has ensured that live music in Lucerne continues to thrive – one seamless donation at a time.
