Heifer International, a charity organization working to end hunger and poverty around the world, has announced that it is accepting bitcoin donations through a partnership with leading bitcoin processor BitPay.

In addition to traditional payment methods, donors will now have the option to select bitcoin when they give through Heifer.org. According to Jesús Pizarro, Heifer’s Vice President of Enterprise Accounting, the organization selected BitPay for its proven effectiveness in the marketplace and experience in working with nonprofits.

Heifer President and CEO Pierre Ferrari said the nonprofit has noted the benefits of bitcoin as a donation method while watching the recent record growth in bitcoin use globally.

“Bitcoin is gaining recognition and value globally, so we are excited to offer this universal digital currency as an option for donors,” he added. “By reducing fees for transactions, bitcoin will also allow Heifer to devote a greater percentage of donations to serving families.”

As BitPay can process microtransactions as small as a few pennies, donors will be able to give any amount they want. Once a transaction is received, BitPay will provide Heifer with a bank deposit in the form of local currency at the current exchange rate.

Founded in 1944, Heifer is one of the leading US-based nonprofits, reaching families in need around the world. It provides gifts of livestock and training to project participants around the world. The nonprofit’s hallmark gift is a cow at $500, or 0.73 BTC. Gifts range from a flock of chicks at $20, 0.03 BTC, to the Gift Ark at $5,000, equivalent to 7.33 BTC.

Rory Desmond, Director of Business Development, North America and APAC at BitPay, said that the digital currency will allow Heifer to reach donors anywhere in the world – even if they don't have access to credit cards and PayPal.

“We are glad to welcome a large nonprofit with an important mission to the bitcoin ecosystem,” said BitPay Chief Commercial Officer Sonny Singh. “The bitcoin community is a highly engaged and generous group of individuals that are interested in issues that affect the world.”