Fun perks? Hell no!

Most people don't give because there's no assurance that money will be used properly. It may simply be feeding a habit or going down a bottomless pit.

If a homeless person were raising money not for himself directly but for a reputable charity, then that might motivate contributions. So if the QR code led to a local charity website – one that gives him a place to stay, rehab resources (if needed), counseling, job placement, etc., then someone like me would be much more likely to give.

Where I'm located at the moment, 2 or 3 homeless people per day approach me asking for money. Without assurance that the money would be used to help that person, I don't give. If he held out a QR code that took me to the local charity that's helping him out, that would be entirely different.

He'd become a nonprofit fundraiser rather than a beggar.

And that's a crucial difference – not only for getting results (i.e. money) but also for his self-respect.

Holding out an empty hand = begging.
Holding out a QR code as a fundraiser = employment.

Any donation using a Web site and QR code will eventually create a tax liability for your homeless friend along with the obligation to share a percentage of any incoming donations with Paypal or similar companies, but the real challenge will be to convince a bank to open an account to withdraw funds. I also feel that a homeless using QR code and a Website to promote itself could be ill-perceived as a marketing strategy rather than as a mean to survive, although your intentions to help this person are very noble and sincere.

What is your goal with this?

To change his situation? To raise funds? To get a cut of the donations? To increase awareness to homelessness?

Admittedly, I don't know all the details about your venture, but I see a lot of holes that need to be closed before I can answer what would inspire me to give him funds.

I'd be really curious to talk about this more to understand.
-Shaun

This business already exists. HandUp is leading this space, and working with local governments to grow in a way that is meaningful for the cities they spread to.

I am not involved with HandUp, just a fan.

However, to answer your question - the story (video or written) is what is going to move people to donate. A personal video (preferred) or narrative that tells how they got to this point and where they are going is what is going to drive donations.

And As someone with non-profit fundraising experience with a number of organizations with diverse missions, I would say that goes for just about anything you are trying to raise money for. People buy into a good story.

Happy to talk to you more about it. Good luck!