Making change, a few pennies at a time
A partnership with purpose: 100 million micro-donations received and £25 million raised with Worldpay and Pennies.
Key points
- Worldpay and Pennies have reached 100 million micro-donations, raising £25 million through customer generosity
- Everyday purchases at the till create opportunities for micro-donations, helping support charitable causes and demonstrating the power of collective giving
- The right technology can make it possible for philanthropic donations to be a natural part of the customer experience
Overview
Through a long-standing partnership, Worldpay and Pennies have helped raise £25 million for charitable causes across the UK, Ireland and beyond with the ability to make micro-donations at the point of payment. Together, the organisations recently reached a significant milestone of 100 million micro-donations received. To celebrate the extraordinary milestone of 100 million micro-donations, a special dinner was held to recognise the partners that made it possible.
What can a few spare pennies do? On their own, not much. But when customers are given an easy opportunity to contribute to a charitable cause in their community right at the till, those seemingly small donations can make a big difference fast.
Rounding up to the nearest pound at the morning coffee stop or weekly shop in the name of medical research or wildlife preservation is a tiny gesture that takes seconds and fits seamlessly into a purchase you’re already making — and those little acts of generosity add up into something extraordinary.
Together with Pennies, the UK’s leading digital charity box, Worldpay has made it easier for shoppers to support causes they care about by bringing micro-donations to the point of payment.
Since 2011, Worldpay and Pennies have revolutionised giving at the till. And now, the two organisations are celebrating a remarkable milestone: 100 million micro-donations received, with £25 million raised for charitable causes across the UK, Ireland and beyond.
How Pennies’ micro-donations work
The way charity checkout works is simple: an option to give a rounded-up amount or fixed top-up donation appears automatically in the card payment process, whether in store at the terminal or online through a browser or app-based payment.
Since it’s reported that around 67% of consumers would rather regularly contribute small amounts than occasionally make one large lump sum donation, the Worldpay and Pennies partnership allows customers to support important causes without taking on a donor commitment, all while making everyday purchases.
By making charitable giving accessible at the point of sale and because of the collective generosity of every giver, the causes supported can continue advancing their missions of creating stronger communities and brighter futures.
And recently, this spirit of generosity took centre stage.
Small change, big impact
Thanks to Poundland, Matalan, Cotswold Outdoor Group, Green King and The Perfume Shop and their stores and customers, Worldpay and Pennies brought Micro-Donation Week to life, with 200 in-store activations and encouragement to support meaningful causes with just a quick tap.
Across participating locations, customers and employees had the opportunity to engage with the programme and discover the power of small.
The activations also put a spotlight on the merchants who make everyday giving possible. By offering customers a simple way to donate during payment, these businesses help charitable giving become a natural part of the shopping experience — all while “bolster[ing] their corporate responsibility initiatives.”
From the employee introducing customers to the initiative to the customers choosing to contribute, every interaction plays a part in the collective achievement of supporting charities raising funds for water infrastructure, crisis intervention and everything in between.
A moment of gratitude, gathered at the table
To recognise the people and partnerships behind the 100 million micro-donations achievement, Worldpay and Pennies hosted a special candlelit dinner overlooking the city to connect beyond checkout.
The evening brought partners together for dinner with a view and a chance to reflect on the journey so far, honouring the merchants who have championed the programme and the customers whose generosity made the milestone possible.
Looking ahead at the next million moments of kindness
Reaching 100 million micro-donations has taken the combined efforts of many, and this is just the beginning. This achievement is proof of the good that can happen when the generosity of customers and the power of technology come together. As the programme continues to grow, Worldpay and Pennies will keep working together to create opportunities to support charitable causes through everyday payments.
By offering a secure, flexible and intuitive micro-donation option for its suite of solutions for businesses, Worldpay and Pennies create an extraordinary legacy of everyday giving, putting purpose-driven payments into practice with technology that does more than just move money.
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Disclaimer
Global Payments is a trading name of GPUK LLP. GPUK LLP is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (504290) for the provision of payment services and under the Consumer Credit Act (714439) for the undertaking of terminal rental agreements. GPUK LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England with company number OC337146. Registered Office: Granite House, Granite Way, Syston, Leicester, LE7 1PL. The members are Global Payments U.K. Limited and Global Payments U.K. 2 Limited. Service of any documents relating to the business will be effective if served at the Registered Office. ©2026 GPUK LLP. All rights reserved. E1.6188-D01.
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