Glossary

Facebook Donations was a popular and highly successful fundraising tool for many years, also in Europe (with the exception of Switzerland, where the tool was never available). However, in the summer of 2023, Meta (formerly Facebook) discontinued several services, including recurring donations, and switched its payment provider to the PayPal Giving Fund (PPGF). Meta also informed users that the donation service on Facebook and Instagram will be discontinued in Europe as of July 2024. Facebook donations were primarily used in peer-to-peer fundraising (e.g., birthday campaigns) and events (such as streaming). To fill this gap, Soulclick offers alternative tools for NPO websites.

A Favicon is a simplified logo variant displayed in the browser tab, bookmarks list, and address bar next to a website's URL. Typically 32 x 32 pixels in size, favicons enhance quick brand recognition and give the website a professional and appealing appearance. To ensure favicons function seamlessly across all devices and services, they should be uploaded in the .ico file format and added to the website’s HTML file or via a link tag in the header.

First-Party Data refers to information that nonprofit organizations collect directly from their users, donors, and supporters. This data is typically gathered through their own platforms, such as websites, apps, or social media channels, and includes contact information, histories, personal preferences, or web activities. With stricter data protection regulations and the phasing out of third-party cookies, first-party data is becoming increasingly important for organizations. It is considered particularly reliable and valuable—and compliant with data protection laws, provided users have consented to its collection (see Consent).

A Floating Header (or sticky header) is the top navigation element of a website that remains visible as users scroll, essentially "floating" along with the page. This way, the header stays in view at all times. In online fundraising, the header often features a prominently placed donation button – making it easy for users to donate at any time.

Frameworks simplify programming and reduce development time by providing pre-built components, structures, and security features for web development. Almost every common programming language has its own frameworks – Soulclick, for instance, uses the Django framework. Based on the Python programming language, Django is not only developer-friendly but also includes an easy-to-use content management system (CMS) to help fundraisers efficiently manage content.

Frontend Development refers to the client-side aspect of web development. In the frontend, the user interface of an NPO website is programmed—the part that donors directly interact with. Even today, websites' frontends are primarily built using the programming languages HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Effective frontend development ensures that the website is responsive and delivers a seamless user experience across a wide range of devices and browsers.

A Functional Specification Document (deutsch: Pflichtenheft) translates business requirements outlined in the requirements specification into technical specifications (“How do we implement it?”) and provides a detailed description of the requirements for a new software system. It serves as the foundational document for executing a software project and is typically developed in collaboration with the future implementation partner.

Fundraising Agencies are specialized service providers that support nonprofits in raising funds. Some agencies take on operational tasks, such as running campaigns or securing grants from foundations. Others focus more on strategic aspects, such as building structures, tools, and processes to make fundraising sustainable and efficient.

The Fundraising Funnel, or simply Funnel, is a tool frequently used in digital fundraising. It visualizes the key stages of a donor journey and illustrates the success of individual initiatives and campaigns. By clearly presenting donation revenues, conversion rates, and other KPIs along the funnel, it helps build a deeper understanding of online fundraising and enables more effective management. The typical stages of a fundraising funnel are: 1. Awareness, 2. Interest, 3. Consideration, 4. Action and 5. Retention

Fundraising Instruments help charities attract new donors and engage existing ones. Various tools – such as one-off donations, crowd donations, or peer-to-peer fundraising – serve different purposes within the fundraising mix. With Soulclick, charities can easily implement a range of fundraising instruments, enabling them to tailor campaigns to specific donor groups.

A Fundraising Platform refers to third-party services like GoFundMe that offer Fundraising-as-a-Service, as well as fundraising platforms and donation shops operated directly on a charity's domain. Soulclick’s e-commerce toolkit enables charities to build their own platforms. This is an exciting alternative for fundraising organizations looking to elevate their efforts, comparable to platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce in the commercial sector.

Fundraising Software is a general term for industry-specific software solutions that help charities raise funds, manage donor relationships and run campaigns efficiently. Fundraising software includes both online fundraising tools like Soulclick as well as CRM systems and marketing automation platforms.