When VeriFone opened its online portal to give developers access to tools to integrate the company's new SAIL mobile point-of-sale product, one feature it offered developers was the SAIL Merchant Enrollment API for multi-location nonprofits and value-added resellers. The API lets those organizations give their members and customers access to merchant accounts so they can sell on behalf of the group.

One nonprofit now utilizing the API is the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The council includes troops in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. This year, the Dan Beard Council is using the SAIL reader and platform in its annual popcorn fundraising effort.

According to VeriFone, the Dan Beard Council is handing out the distinctive SAIL credit card readers to troop leaders who sign up for the program. The leaders set up merchant accounts and assign multiple users, in this case parents of troop members, to the account. The parents are then able to accept credit and debit card payments, using iOS and Android devices. They can even void sales and process refunds. But troop leaders retain access to account administrator rights.

The SAIL web dashboard makes it easy for the account administrator to do a number of tasks such as assign users, request additional readers, refund transactions, and create and download reports, said Brian Hamilton, VeriFone vice president of SMB commerce.

"The SAIL platform provides nonprofits with access to a reseller model that empowers individual units or individuals within their organization," he said.

Brandon Smith, senior development director for the Dan Beard Council, said the annual popcorn sale is the group's major fundraiser, contributing funds to the activities of the council's 34,000 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

"SAIL makes it easier for those who support local troops to participate in an effort that builds leadership, confidence, is fun and allows a scout to learn the value of earning his own way," Smith said.

VeriFone said each troop leader in the program receives a free SAIL card reader, and can request up to 10 additional readers to distribute to parents. 

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