United Way to accept Bitcoin donations

Posted On 15 Sep 2014

United Way Worldwide announced today it has partnered with digital wallet provider Coinbase to allow donors around the world to contribute to United Way’s Innovation Fund using Bitcoin.

Through the Coinbase platform, which is currently used by 1.6 million consumers, 36,000 merchants, and 6,000 developers around the world, United Way Worldwide will accept donations to its Innovation Fund directly from a benefactor’s digital wallet through a desktop computer or a smartphone with no transaction fees.

United Way Worldwide President and CEO Brian A. Gallagher said in a news release:

“United Way Worldwide embraces the opportunity to make it easier for donors to support the causes that matter most to them, and this means innovating to evolve with the donor landscape.”

Gallagher added:

“Achieving United Way’s vision for the world – where all individuals and families achieve their human potential – requires innovation powered by new technology and outreach methods. In that spirit, integrating bitcoin donations with the United Way Worldwide Innovation Fund helps us achieve this crucial goal. In addition, as the world’s largest privately-funded nonprofit, United Way seeks to lead the way for others by taking bold steps to grow our organization, and we are delighted to do so again today.”

On its company blog, Coinbase stated:

“In a matter of days, United Way Worldwide was able to add bitcoin as a donation method on its site and begin processing donations from donors anywhere in the world, instantly and for free. For United Way, Coinbase attracts new donors who may not have donated in the past but are enticed to donate because of the convenience, opportunity to donate small amounts, and tax benefits that bitcoin provides.”

Coinbase co-founder and CEO Brian Armstrong said in the news release:

“United Way Worldwide recognizes Bitcoin as an emerging technology that is impacting charitable giving by reducing the costs associated with receiving online payments.” He said Coinbase is “pleased to partner with United Way Worldwide and help donors around the world contribute to the organization’s impactful initiatives.”

Logo image via United Way’s media center

About the Author

Katherine Fletcher is a writer and editor based in London, Ontario, Canada. With a graduate degree in journalism, Katherine spent more than five years curating news on Canadian higher education for a marketing consultancy. Her interest in reporting on Bitcoin stems from her belief that digital currency is, and will continue to be, a disruptor in how we conceive modern currency.