Almost every day I am asked for spare change and even though I do actually want to give something I never carry cash. After being asked to give money I rarely remember later to donate to homelessness links, crisis, shelter or the local hostel or services. I think it would be great if Monzo had a ‘spare change’ section where you could choose to donate to homelessness services when you encounter someone on the street asking for money. I have asked a lot of people about what prevents them from giving money to strangers and two answers I have heard are:
I want to but I never have cash
I’m don’t trust that the money I give will help the person I’m giving it to
Ideally Monzo would let you opt in to have the ‘change’ (anything left over from the next pound up on a purchase) available to donate as and when you want.
These are good ideas, but you could also set up a standing order to your local homeless shelter. Charities prefer standing orders to ad hoc donations because it allows them to predict their future cash flow more accurately.