A new website plans to give Irish charities access to millions of potential donors worldwide. DonateNow was launched before Christmas and features 18 charities, including Gorta, the Irish Penal Reform Trust and the YMCA (Cork). The website has been developed by Dublin-based In ternet design firm E-Style Ireland Ltd.
Talks are continuing between the Bank of Ireland and E-Style about the provision of the bank's ClikPay software through which donations could be made. The site is at www.DonateNow.org.
E-Style's manager, Mr Barry Daly, said 92 per cent of donations went to the charity, with the bank expected to receive a 5 per cent transaction charge and his firm taking 3 per cent for website maintenance. This compared to costs of between 20 and 50 per cent of donations which some charities incurred on direct mail, telemarketing and administration, he said.