When most people think about cryptocurrency, they imagine investments, markets, meme coins, and high-tech digital assets changing hands. Few think of philanthropy. But over the past few years, crypto has been quietly transforming the way we donate – and helping charities do things that were simply impossible before.
In an ideal world, every donation would go exactly where it’s needed, when it’s needed – quickly, securely, and without a lot of waste. But in reality, things are different: bureaucratic roadblocks, systemic inefficiencies, and even corruption can stand in the way, meaning that some funds get lost in the system and never reach the people they were intended for.
Fortunately, crypto has now begun to change all that. Because Bitcoin and other digital assets exist outside traditional banking, charities can now move money instantly, transparently and directly – without interference or delay.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, for example, cryptocurrency became a lifeline. The Ukrainian government and international charities raised over $225 million in crypto donations – funds that could be transferred instantly and used to buy medical aid, food, and emergency supplies. And it’s not just in war zones that crypto is proving to be a game-changer.
There are 1.4 billion people in the world who don’t have a bank account – most of them in developing countries where traditional banking is hard to access. Receiving financial aid has never been easy for them. But with crypto, there’s now a solution.
Take GiveDirectly, an organisation that provides cash transfers to people in extreme poverty: in places like rural Africa, where banks are few and far between, the organisation has started using crypto wallets to send aid straight to recipients.
One of donors’ biggest misgivings when it comes to charitable giving is the lack of transparency. Donors want to know that their money is being used wisely – but when funds pass through multiple banks, processors, and partner organisations, it gets tricky to track where it actually ends up.
Luckily, blockchain technology can help with that. Because every crypto transaction is publicly and indelibly recorded, charities can offer real-time visibility into how funds are being used. Organisations like BitGive have built donation tracking platforms that allow donors to follow their contributions – giving them proof that their money is making an impact.
For all their benefits, there’s one problem with crypto donations: charities generally convert them to fiat straight away – which stops them benefiting when the crypto’s value increases.
That’s where EverGive comes in: instead of spending donations straight away, EverGive invests them, allowing charities to receive sustainable, long-term support, not just one-off gifts. Here’s how it works:
If your priority is making an immediate short-term impact, then donating directly to charities that accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies might make sense for you.
But if you’re interested in maximising the power of your gift – to help not just once, but forever – then EverGive could be what you’re searching for. By helping to invest donations and allowing charities to tap into Bitcoin’s growth potential, we help create the kind of sustainable, growing support that can truly shape the future.
Ready to make your crypto donation last forever? Donate with EverGive today