IBM has partnered with Pennies to incorporate microdonation functionality into its retail point-of-sale payment software, opening up the technology to more high-street retailers.

IBM worked with Smart Technology Solutions to develop software that enables IBM retail customers to make a donation by rounding up to the nearest pound when paying with a credit or debit card at a chip and PIN machine.

Retailers who upgrade to the latest version of the IBM software will have the option to offer Pennies to their customers. There is also the option of integrating the Pennies component into their existing version of the software.

Alison Hutchinson, CEO of the Pennies Foundation, said:  “We see this as a springboard which will make a microdonation option increasingly available through retailers.”

Since Pennies launched in November 2010, more than £126,000 has been raised for 14 different charities, including Cancer Research UK, NSPCC and Shelter, via partnerships with Domino's Pizza, Zizzi's and Travelodge.