Disability charity Scope is hoping form-filling could become a thing of the past if a trial of new hand-held personal digital assistants (PDAs) being used by the charity’s fundraisers is anything to go by. 

Scope is the first charity to use the PDAs for signing up new direct debit supporters and early results suggests the compact, hi-tech gadgets are set to transform face-to-face fundraising.
 
The charity, working with Bluefrog and Gift Fundraising, has noticed more people signing up to the Gift Aid scheme, which suggests the use of PDAs may attract a better quality donor.

Mark Foster, Scope’s supporter acquisition manager, said: “The feedback from our street fundraising teams in London and Manchester has been really positive. 

“They say the devices are more efficient, secure and faster than paper-based registration – and of course by saving on paper they are more environmentally friendly too. The hand-held devices are easy to use and overall saves on time.”

“PDAs enable information to be processed quickly and efficiently, allowing donors to sign up on the spot, which is perhaps why they encourage a higher rate of gift aid declarations.”