Mobile Giving Foundation Makes Fundraising Services a Text Away

We have spotlighted several new fundraising services platforms that combine point and click convenience with the expansive reach of emerging social technologies. Sites such as Jumo, CovergeUS, Razoo, Crowd Rise, Give2gether, Kickstarter, Kiva City, Givmo, Broadcause, Startsomegood and Donorschoose have served to bridge the gap between small and large charitable organizations by making these advanced resources accessible to all for minimal effort and cost (if any).

The evolution of cell phones and the growing popularity of smart phones has resulted in an increasing number of the public accessing the internet remotely and the Mobile Giving Foundation has responded. Launched in 2007 by Jim Manis and a team of former wireless industry executives, the Mobile Giving Foundation provides a text-driven fundraising services platform that non-profits can implement quickly and reliably. Manis also played a key role in introducing the ‘text-to-give’ concept in North America following the natural disasters of Hurricane Katrina and the Boxing Day tsunami in Indonesia.

Mobile Giving Foundation

Simple in concept and execution, donors can respond to the charity’s call to action by texting a keyword to a designated number, requiring less than a minute to complete the transaction.   Similar to a phone number, a 4-6 digit short code routes the text message to the mobile messaging application.  Combined with a short 4-6 letter campaign specific keyword, a pre-specified donation is captured and processed.  With one time donations corresponding to a keyword pre-set to $5 or $10, the donor will receive an associated charge on their cellular phone bill or deducted from the balance of any pre-paid plans, with 100% of the donation going straight to the charities.  Donors can obtain an official tax receipt by going to the Mobile Giving Foundation website, entering the wireless number and a receipt is immediately generated for the donor to print from the comfort of their own home or office.

This unique platform gives charities the opportunity to complement their existing fundraising services with one that is fast, effective and accessible to over 21 million Canadian and 250 million US mobile users. The low commitment, alternative payment methods and mobile nature of this fundraising service combine for greater potential for impulse donations compared to other channels which can result in more funds being raised. During the Haiti relief efforts, more than $10 million was raised through the Mobile Giving Foundation alone, at a rate that peaked to 10,000 text messages received per second, an unprecedented response for a natural disaster.  Similar fundraising programs were also made available to the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

Currently, the Canadian Government is matching donations made through mobile giving in support of the famine in east Africa dollar for dollar.  Charities that are supporting this cause include: Canadian Red Cross Society, Salvation Army Canada, UNICEF Canada, UN World Food Programme and World Vision Canada.

Elements of the Mobile Giving Foundation’s fundraising services includes certifying the legitimacy of the charity, linking the cellular companies with the charities, coordinating ‘keyword’ assignments and ensuring the transactions are in compliance with provincial and federal laws.   Wireless carriers graciously donate 100% of their services in support of the great causes benefitting from these fundraising services.

With over 280 charities currently running mobile fundraising services programs across Canada and over 100 in the U.S., you can find almost any cause to support.

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