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Crypto utility is growing by the day, with more and more organizations, companies and governments deciding that accepting crypto payments is one of the best ways to expand their client, user or donor base. Joining this innovation-first trend is World Food Program USA (WFP USA), which has now integrated crypto payments as a way for people to donate funds to this global humanitarian organization. The decision comes as many aid systems face growing pressure to maintain the help they provide to communities around the world. The introduction of crypto payments offers a way for the organization to engage with new audiences, broaden its funding channels, and position itself as a forward-thinking leader able to adapt to global challenges.
In this article, we explore the reasons behind WFP USA’s decision as a humanitarian organization, the benefits of accepting crypto payments, and what this innovative move could mean for the future of global aid and fundraising.
Who is WFP USA?
The World Food Program USA (WFP USA) is the United States’ affiliate of the United Nations World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to tackling hunger and promoting food security around the world. WFP USA secures resources through fundraising, advocacy and partnerships to support lifesaving operations in more than 120 countries and regions. As well as delivering emergency food aid, the organization works on long-term solutions that help vulnerable communities build resilience against future crises.
One of their most recent initiatives is the Emergency Hunger Relief Fund, which aims to raise over $25 million in individual and private sector donations to address urgent funding needs.
WFP USA’s decision to accept cryptocurrency donations, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, USD Coin, and over 75 other digital assets, was implemented in partnership with The Giving Block. This move is a direct response to escalating global hunger and the growing pressures on traditional aid systems. Dorota Amin, Chief Philanthropy and Partnerships Officer at WFP USA, says that embracing blockchain and cryptocurrency is not an optional but an essential way to meet today’s mounting humanitarian challenges.
What are the benefits of accepting crypto payments?
The move to accept crypto payments is not the WFP USA’s first experience with blockchain technology. Its proven success with its digital wallet program that cuts costs and boosts security has already demonstrated how DeFi tools can transform aid delivery, making transactions faster, more transparent and more efficient. For humanitarian organizations such as WFP USA, crypto payments offer tangible benefits that not only broaden their donor base, but also offer a much more cost-effective and flexible way to receive and deploy funds straight to programs on the ground to maximize impact.
First of all, faster processing times compared to traditional payment rails ensure that funds are received by the organization faster, often within minutes, which also makes it possible to distribute them efficiently. Crypto donations can also provide tax efficiencies for donors, such as exceptions from capital gains tax and eligibility for deductions at full market value. Lower transaction fees, particularly for cross-border payments, also mean that more of each contribution goes directly to the people who need it most, rather than being lost to processing costs. For an organization such as WFP USA, crypto payments are more than simply a modern payment method. They are part of a practical, high-impact strategy that helps expand their lifesaving work.
How could crypto payments reshape the future of fundraising?
The integration of crypto payments has the potential to fundamentally reshape the future of fundraising, particularly for nonprofits and humanitarian organizations. By enabling borderless, decentralized donations, crypto removes many of the barriers imposed by traditional payment rails, currency exchanges or simply geographical limitations. Crypto payments open up new opportunities to engage with a global community of supporters and donors. As well as being more convenient for many payers, the blockchain’s inherent transparency can also help build trust, as donors can trace the flow of funds from wallet to wallet, something which is impossible to do with traditional systems.
Several nonprofits have already demonstrated the power of crypto in fundraising. Save the Children, for example, started accepting Bitcoin in 2013 and has since begun accepting other digital currencies, reporting millions in digital donations. Another example is the Red Cross, which has piloted blockchain-based cash transfer programs, as well as UNICEF, which launched a dedicated CryptoFund that accepts and disburses donations in cryptocurrency to support open-source technology projects. These are just a few examples of how crypto can diversify funding streams, reduce overhead, increase transparency and offer a more agile way for donations to reach their intended communities.
For more on crypto trends, or to learn how to integrate crypto payments into your business’ workflow, visit www.forumpay.com, or get in touch with our sales team to discuss any questions you may have.
