Donate simply and securely: digital innovation in fundraising with Mastercard and Ecumenical Relief

Mastercard and the Ecumenical Relief Organization are renewing the everyday practice of donating by taking their partnership to a new level. The goal of the three-year strategic cooperation is to enable people to support the organization’s work in the charity’s fundraising campaigns using the latest and most modern digital payment methods, in addition to cash donations, and to increase the number of donors and the amount of donations as payment options expand.

The long-term cooperation is based on the successes of previous joint projects: three years ago, in 2022, the parties joined forces to alleviate the refugee crisis and social crisis caused by the war in Ukraine in the Borderless Assistance program. In 2022 and 2023, they jointly organized a Disneyland experience day for children in need, and in 2023 and 2024, Mastercard supported the charity’s Advent campaign. Thanks to the Digital Opportunity Creation initiative, the Aid Organization’s summer thematic day camps were held this year in 36 locations in disadvantaged regions of the country, with the participation of more than 1,000 children, which was also supported by Mastercard. The cooperation that will create the digital payment technology background and financial funds for the joint programs for the 2025-2027 period is built on these results.

As an emphasis of the cooperation, in addition to traditional cash support, during this Advent period, the Aid Organization’s donors can now use the Tap on Phone (telephone terminal) solution, which can turn tablets and smartphones into payment terminals for simple and secure assistance – all you need to do is download an application. With modern digital devices, mobile, watch and traditional bank card payments are possible. Therefore, an independent POS terminal is not required for electronic payment, an NFC-enabled smartphone is sufficient. The technology is available on both Android and iOS platforms from this year, and its popularity is indicated by the fact that in just under a year, around 11,000 Tap on Phones have already been used in Hungary.

“We are proud that our innovative technologies, extensive experience and financial resources contribute to the success of the work of the Ecumenical Relief Organization. Through our cooperation, Mastercard becomes a prominent supporter of safe, fast and efficient digital donations in Hungary, thereby renewing the domestic culture and practice of providing assistance. We are convinced that this is beneficial for both fundraising organizations and donors,” said Gergely Márkus, Mastercard’s country manager.

The goal of the Relief Organization’s traditional Advent Fundraising is to be able to help the needy and those in need throughout the year, in addition to its holiday aid campaigns, through its national institutional system. The timing of this announcement is justified by the fact that the weeks before Christmas are always a special time in the many years of joint work between Mastercard and the Relief Organization.

“During Christmas, society turns to those of our fellow human beings for whom the holiday is overshadowed by deprivation with an even more open heart than usual. We hope that the cooperation agreement with Mastercard and the introduction of solutions that facilitate donations will help us get closer to those for whom Christmas is complete if they can help others, and to those who need support. We believe that with the power of collaboration, we can continue to support those in need throughout the year in all our institutions across the country, giving FOOD, HOME and CHANCE to the poorest!”

– said Kristóf Gáncs, CEO of the Ecumenical Relief Organization Director.

The Aid Organization’s Advent Fundraising has been going on for 30 years and has now become the largest festive gathering in Hungary. The well-known love.hunger. motto and the bitten gingerbread heart symbol help hundreds of thousands of Hungarians to personally experience and make joyful the essence of the most important Christmas message, which has remained unchanged for 2000 years, love in action and support for those suffering from deprivation. The donations collected during Advent greatly contribute to the Aid Organization’s ability to exist throughout the year.