More People Donate Using Their Mobile Phones

For nonprofit organizations, finding people who can help donate money to a needed cause is important. Now, a new technology medium is increasing the rate at which people are donating thanks to how easy and fast it makes donating.

The mobile phone has sparked a new mobile giving channel in the U.S. First introduced in a 10 second United Way commercial during the past Super Bowl game, and which became widely available to non profits in May.

 

Using text messaging as a way to set up donations is extremely beneficial as the number of texters continues to soar. In fact, in June 2008, M:Metrics (News - Alert) found 116.6 million people, or 52 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers, sent a text message.

 

"People are adopting new technology faster and with more vigor than 10 years ago," explains James Eberhard, Mobile Accord Co-Founder and Chairman. "We know that in 2007, online giving accounted for $10.44 billion, more than half the total donations given worldwide. The vast reach of mobile technology today is evidence that mobile giving will be a primary contributor to this philanthropic trend, and with greater expedience than online giving."

mGive.com makes it possible for nonprofits to receive donations via text messages, five dollars at a time. The offering is a service of Mobile Accord, an approved service provider of the Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF).

According to the company, the donations increment is expected to increase from solely five dollars to the ability to donate 10 dollars or set up for a monthly reoccurring gift in the coming months.

For donors, it's as easy as sending a text message using a short code that specifically designated for that donation. For example, texting WISH to 90999 will give $5 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. No money or credit card information is needed at the time of giving as the charge will be added to the user's monthly phone bills.

Donation receipts are available at http://www.mgf.me/receipt.

Jim Manis, Founder and CEO of the Mobile Giving Foundation commented, "The pervasiveness and ease of use of mobile technology combined with the gracious commitment of wireless carriers to pass through 100 percent of the donation collected will make this the channel of choice for new donors."