What is the best (ie: encourages more passers-by to insert the most
money) shape for an unattended charity collection box sitting all year
round on reception desks in schools and businesses in the UK?

Background: a UK charity currently sends out flat-packed, pryamid-shaped
cardboard collection boxes with a coin slot in the front. These are
assembled on site by the charity's supporters and placed on reception
desks in schools and businesses, for passers-by to put their small
change into, all year round.

We noticed something weird: this year in our office, by chance, we
also stood a traditional plastic cylindrical 'shaker' box (the type
with a coin slot in the top - you normally see charity volunteers
shaking outside the supermarket) next to the pyramid box and suddenly
people began dropping coins into the unattended shaker box in
preference to the cardboard pyramid collection box, and in greater
quantities. We suspect it might be because the shape of the plastic
box was more familiar to passers-by, so they knew what to do with it,
whereas the pyramid box is novel but is not immediately a collection
box.

Question - What is the best shape for an unattended charity collection
box? What shape boxes do other charities choose and why? We would like
to consider a new shape if it raises more money. Restriction: they
have to be mailed out so have to flat pack down to 210mm x 297mm (A4
paper size in the UK) and be easily assembled by the charity
supporters.

Hi Domfreedom,

I believe the psychology toward more giving is not so much the shape
of the container, but the material from which it is made. I know that
I am more inclined to deposit coins into a clear container than say a
cardboard one.

See through containers suggest an honesty of transparency. Also, it's
like a target for regular visitors, to see how long it will take to
fill.

Regards, Phil

Hi Phil

Intersting thought. I hadn't seen it from the 'progress towards a
target' point of view. The only see-through containers I can remember
personally donating into are those huge empty glass whisky bottles you
put your small change into on bars, and yes seeing a pile of coins
inside the whicky bottle does encourage you to donate.

As we are looking for a shape that we can manufacture out of card, and
mail out flat-packed, I wonder how we can get transparency into the
design, or maybe print something on the outside if we can't.

Phil, have you got any examples of other transparent containers?

Thanks for your comment.

Dom Freedom

Hi Dom,

This is going to be like describing how to do up a shoelace .. but here goes.

Think of those tall clear "plastic" cylinders which house the single
long-stemmed red roses, which we send to the lady of our heart's
desire. Do ya get the picture now ???? OK, now squash the cylinder to
about 8" high and about 4" in diameter.

Thin cellulose sheeting cut to size with simple construction
directions would be just as easily mailed as flat cardboard, surely.
The diameter of the recessed ends (with the top end having a coin
slot) will determine the overlapping sides of the vertical cylinder
for strength and rigitity. Even cheaper, no recesses in the top and
bottom, just a pre-determined female cap size on both ends. Think of
the folded cylinder as the male counterpart. The stresses are placed
outwards to hold the shape, provided that enough overlap is accounted
for on the vertical flat sheet now turned cylindrical.

I like your idea of the pyramid shape, because everyone likes
pyramids. But it is limited to donation as the coin slot has to come
from one side at the 42 degree angle, with space to receive the coins,
so it will never fill up.

I have re-read your question. Your opening line asked for " ..
encourages more passers-by to insert the most money ..". Go for
see-through .. transparency has a lot of value. Your question has
greater value than you may realise.

Kind regards, Phil

Hi Phil

I can see it straight away. If you roll up the cyclindrical wall from
a flat sheet of transparent plastic, it flat packs nicely and is OK
for mailing. An overlap in the wall would prevent coin spillage when
full - we have just made one up here and it works.  Good description -
by the way how do you tie your showlaces?.

I am intrigued by your slightly cryptic comment 'Your question has
greater value than you may realise.' Any clarification? ;)

Dom Freedom

Hi Dom,

You have made my day. The fact that you have actually and proactively
tried a different angle of approach is fantastic. I'm glad to see that
it has worked for you. Of course it works. It simply has to.

Your initial question was in regard to a shape. But your REAL question
relates to maximising donations. Think about it. Put yourself in the
shoes of a prospective donator. One other thought you might like to
consider: How much of the donation is received by the intended? As the
dollar changes hands, costs will be incurred. The irony of this is
that say $20 can do a great deal of good if the dollars are spent 100%
locally. By the time admin. costs etc. are taken out, the $30/month
you might choose to spend on sponsoring a child in need oversees say,
equates to about $6 in real value locally. The point is, at least they
get the $6, unless you choose to go directly to the place in need,
hand them 100% of your contributions, then start swinging a hammer in
your effort to build them that school house they need.

My cryptic comment will be answered when you see the result of
contributions. Then you will now what I mean. Perhaps that thought is
out of the realm of discussion here.

I'm intrigued that you did not question my point on the 42 degrees. It
too is a simple understanding, and fun to talk about.

In thought, Phil

Dom,

Please site "Goofy way to do business" by Ron.

We discussed an auction, for the purpose of raising money for kids
with cancer. It's another way to take advantage of people's egos. You
may be offended by that which we proffered for discussion. No excuses
from me if so. Just ideas shared. It worked for, and exceeded our
target.

Regards, Phil

Hi Phil

How about a paradigm shift to get going? I think we are close but not there yet.

Yes, raising the maximum amount for charity is the goal. To push this
forward is it possible to imagine the WORST possible shape for a
charity collection box? A shape that does not give any clue as to its
purpose, with no slot for coins in, and no charity message or official
charity registration number or reason to give? A really dreadful
shape? From that perspective, can we then invert all those broken
rules and arrive at a set of good rules for the ultimate shape?

I am still firm in my belief that the correct shape (and yes, the
message on the collection box too) can grab a passer-by and get them
to empty their small change voluntarily.

Now you have me considering (alongside your excellent transparency
idea) the combined effect of the best message on the best shape.

(By the way, yes it is a childrens' charity and we have raised £18
million since 1996 here in the UK, with a small percentage of that via
pyramid-shaped collection boxes, most of the rest from a one-day
charity fun event held annually.)

Your 42 degree calculation would never have been challenged I assure
you. I would have smiled if you had mentioned 33 degrees. :)

Dom Freedom

Hi Dom,

Now you're talkin'. I hope that Google will allow our deliberations to
continue. I sure hope so, as they will not allow invitations of
one-on-one contact. I can understand the problems Google may encounter
if e-mail addresses were posted here. Imagine the hackers using this
medium!

If anyone else came in on our conversation now, they might be excused
for thinking that we are talking a load of crap, and don't have a
life. More pity them, if we can find a better way to make a difference
for those in need. If nothing else, this is fun (sure beats TV) and we
might just find an answer to increase the deposits for your well
meaning venture. 18 Million quid .. that's a hell of a lot of
fund-raising over 8 years. If I owned a hat, I would take it off to
you! I now feel quite humbled in my attempts to help you for the
greater worth, as you have already proven your expertise. I have none
in this area, my thoughts are simply from observation and doing.

Again, I trust that you were not offended by my attitude in
conversation with Ron re an auction for a similar cause. I hope you
found the thread. Hey, it's all about reaching a result where everyone
wins. If someone has to lose for another to gain, then we can't go
there.

Ahh .. the paradigm shift .. I like your thinking. You are "looking
outside the square" (or in this case .. the pyramid). I like that. You
like breaking rules, that sure is fun. Yep, start from the worst
possible shape, look at the negatives, look at how people react to
shape and colour etc. Then look at it again form a different angle. I
really do like the way you think. The worst shape must be a ball
shape, rolling all over the place. So it needs a flat base for
rigidity. It may be likened to the globe for global contribution, but
most likely won't suit your flat-pack mailing purpose. Keep thinking.

Tell 'em exactly how it is. If you are upfront and show energy and
enthusiasm in marketing, I reckon that the enthusiasm will be
contagious. I hate lollies. That is, I hate having those small sticky
lollies for sale .. as if a donator has to get something back for
being so kind as to donate 40c or in your case 25p. A donation is a
donation. Full stop.

Wording .. I will have to think on this. I'm sure an expert marketer
will arrive at a far better catch-phrase than I, if that is what you
are looking for. How about "Do you see through those in need .. or do
you see them through?" for a start? Wording will depend on your target
audience of course. For example, certain phrases might mean nothing in
the UK, but may hit a chord elsewhere and vice versa. I'm in
Australia, and some words even differ from state to state.

Now you have me thinking about the 33 degree pyramid. I guess it would
be very wide in comparison to height. At least it might fill up more
quickly! The 42 degrees I mentioned is a bit off the topic of
donations, but relates to natural pyramids. Take a hand-full of sand
and let it pour to the ground. Continue doing this until you have a
measurable "pyramid". If you can accurately measure the angle of the
cylindrical side, you will find that gravity will show you 42 degrees.
Most people will assume 45 degrees when discussing the African and
South American pyramids. But, guess what the true angle is.

Anyhow, please deliberate the thought with your friends that
transparency might be well received and perceived as honesty. I would
be keen to discuss other ideas of multiplying factors with you. A bit
like teaching a friend how to fish, rather than just giving them a
fish each day.

For what I might be worth with uneducated observation, I look forward
to seeing you achieve your goal, if I can be of further help with
thoughts.

Kind regards, Phil

ps Just re-read your very first post. You mentioned the "plastic"
shaker box. Did this by chance happen to be transparent? If so, I
reckon we have hit the nail on the head, as your contributions have
increased.

Hi Phil

The auction idea sounds fun, and no I wasn't offended, far from it -
the more I hear that people are putting a part of their success
towards helping others the better - what goes around comes around.

The plastic shaker box was a solid blue plastic cylinder, with a
nipped-in waist for easy grip in cold weather and gloved hands - yes
it is for the UK with its famous weather all year round! It happened
to be sitting indoors on our reception desk at the time it
'outperformed' its pyramidical, cardboard relation.

I do think your transparency idea is inspirational and I will pursue
that further in our next development meeting here (and credit you with
its birth). As far as I know it has never been done before in the UK,
so we could have something significant here.

From so far outside the box now, I pose the following: 'why only ONE
coin slot?' in fact 'why not a NOTES slot?'

Dom Freedom

Dom, g'day again from Aus,

"PYRAMIDS FOR KIDS"

Indeed, why not a single slot for both? Might be cheaper to construct.
Large enough that folded notes won't remain stuck and small enough
that coins won't exit easily. Cut the slot on three sides only. Bend
the flap down and in, to act as a guard if the container is inverted.

Another thought is the novelty factor, without actually having to
dispense a "token gift" to the donator. I recall a large metal
container completely open at the top. The vortex shape narrowed down
to an opening not much bigger than the largest coins. Then broadened
to a large base to house the coins. Like a venturi or an over
accentuated vase if you can picture what I mean. A coin is placed into
a channel. The novelty was watching the coin spiral faster and faster
until it reached it's target. The other novelty of course was watching
the kids hound their parents for more coins! It might not suit all
venues. Maybe it could be made smaller with the same effect. It could
also be made from a plastic material.

The pyramid might in fact be better in clear and colour. Top half
clear, bottom half a solid bright colour. A false bottom between the
two sections on a square (broad c of g) axle. The weight distribution
of coins will eventually tip the false floor. Or, just tip it
occasionaly. The idea is that people will notice a bright colour, they
will see that others have donated, yet a potential thief won't see all
of the money at once.



           /\                          Could you also please share a bit more
          /  \                         about the kids? The purpose message has
         /   /\                        to get across in just a few words. 
        /      \    Clear              Is the intention for all and any kids  
       /        \                      in need, or are they a specific group?
      ------------
     /  PYRAMIDS  \
    /     FOR      \    Electric Blue
   /      KIDS      \
  ____________________


I believe it's important to have a toll free number shown on the box
also. Lots of reasons.

Must go for now, thanks for your kind words. I'll accept 10% as a cut! :)

All the best, Phil