Skip to content
SOS Orangutans

How Sumatran Orangutan Society Boosted Online Donations by 19%

online-donations-client
The client

The Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) is a UK charity dedicated to protecting Sumatran orangutans and their natural habitats in Indonesia. SOS supports projects to preserve Sumatra's forests, while involving local communities in the protection of these vital ecosystems.

online-donations-results

The Results

  • 19% increase in online donations

  • Average donation up 9% 

  • 14% of donations made via digital wallets

  • Improved donor tracking and segmentation

 

online-donations-solution

Solution Used

Donation Forms

online-donations-collaboration

A valued user since

2024

The challenges

SOS previously relied on a basic, custom-built donation form on their website. They faced challenges including:

  • Tracking donation sources: before using iRaiser's solutions, SOS was unable to identify exactly where donations were coming from.

  • Collecting performance data: the organisation lacked detailed data on key elements such as response rates, the average amount donated, reasons for giving, and the effectiveness of campaigns.

  • Testing and optimisation: The team found it difficult to test different approaches easily, due to the dependency on external developers.

online-donation-form

Upgrading to Smarter Fundraising Tools with iRaiser

These issues became particularly problematic when they were selected for a major radio fundraising campaign, which required detailed tracking of online donations. They needed a more robust, user-friendly platform with advanced tracking capabilities and the ability to accept digital wallet payments.

SOS implemented iRaiser solutions in July 2024,  to manage their online donations. This allowed them to create multiple, customised checkout forms for different marketing streams (website, social media, email campaigns). The platform was set up in less than two weeks, an essential factor given the timeline of their radio campaign.

How SOS improved their fundraising results with flexible, data-driven tools

online-donation-tracking
Improved Tracking

iRaiser enabled SOS to track where donations were coming from, understand which campaigns were most effective, and identify donor behavior patterns.

online-donation-usability
Increased Usability

The user-friendly interface and streamlined checkout process made it easier for donors to complete their transactions, improving the overall donor experience.

online-donation-flexibility
Enhanced Flexibility

The ability to create multiple checkouts for different channels allowed for targeted messaging and tailored donation amounts, catering to various donor segments.

online-donation-digital-wallet
Making giving easier via digital wallets

By enabling digital wallets like Google Pay, SOS made donations quicker and more convenient. Today, 14% of donations come through these options.

online-donation-autonomy
Gaining autonomy

With a small team, SOS values tools they can manage on their own: setting up  donation forms and campaigns, testing new ideas, making updates instantly, without needing constant developer assistance, saving time and resources.

online-donation-data-driven
Data-Driven Decisions

Access to detailed analytics, such as average donation amounts and conversion rates, allowed SOS to make informed decisions about their fundraising strategies.

online-donation-accessibility
Accessibility for all supporters

SOS made their donation process more inclusive by enabling accessibility features, such as an adjustable toolbar, to ensure that every supporter could donate with ease.

19% increase in online fundraising

Revenues generated by the SOS website have increased significantly, thanks to the adoption of iRaiser donation forms

This growth was achieved thanks to both a higher number of donations and a 9% increase in the average amount per donation. Higher average donations were partially attributed to the ability to tailor donation requests based on donor type (new vs. existing).

online-donation-form

Improving the user experience with personalised donation experiences & testing

online-donation-form

The iRaiser fundraising platform enabled SOS to create personalised donation forms for different fundraising channels, including specific campaigns such as the BBC Radio 4 appeal.

With the flexibility to quickly test and update elements such as imagery, wording, and donation amounts without external support, the team was able to experiment with different campaigns and formats. These simple yet effective adjustments led to better response rates and improved regular giving conversions. 

14% of online donations made via digital wallets

The integration of online payment solutions has enabled SOS to make donations easier and more accessible, with 14% of donations made via digital wallets such as Google Pay and Apple Pay. 

Accessibility features, including customisable donation forms, have also helped ensure that all supporters can contribute with ease, regardless of their needs or preferences.

online-donations

Growing Their Audience and Running Smarter Fundraising Campaigns

Using iRaiser’s platform, SOS successfully grew their supporter database by acquiring new marketing opt-ins via post and text, helping them broaden future communication efforts. 

The platform also made it easier to manage key campaigns—like International Orangutan Day—by creating separate checkouts for different channels and monitoring performance in real time, enabling faster, data-driven decisions.

SOS’s Tips for Charities Planning Their Next Appeal

When planning a major fundraising campaign or event, SOS recommends:

  • Taking time to clearly define your platform needs—such as tracking, segmentation, and ease of use. 

  • Do thorough research to compare providers, prioritising both functionality and strong customer support. Allow enough time for onboarding and testing before launch.

  • Don’t underestimate the power of community—connect with other fundraisers to exchange tips and experiences.

“Our website donation income has gone up by 19%, and the average donation has increased by 9% since we moved to iRaiser. About 14% of our donations now come through digital wallets, and we’ve seen immediate conversions from our welcome email series into regular givers.”

Rhia DochertyIndividual Giving Manager

"I think the main benefit to our donors has definitely been the ability to pay with a digital wallet. […] But the whole iRaiser checkout experience makes it easier—it’s very streamlined and doesn’t burden donors with miles of forms."

Rhia DochertyIndividual Giving Manager

"What’s really brilliant with iRaiser is you can just set up as many checkouts as you want. […] It really helps you get an indicator of what’s working—not just in volumes of conversion, but also the average donation."

Rhia DochertyIndividual Giving Manager

"Before, we had to go to a developer to change something. With iRaiser, it’s just very user-friendly and easy to understand. If I want to change something today, I can have that done in 20 minutes and begin seeing the impact on my donations."

Rhia DochertyIndividual Giving Manager

Get in touch with our experts