Text to Give

If you read My Vision for this blog, I said that I would blog about the use of new media in both the travel/hospitality and non-profit industries. So far, it’s been a little one-sided, so here is a post for all of the non-profit lovers out there. We’ve been discussing mobile media in my Introduction to New Media class recently, so I was inspired to learn about the various ways non-profits can benefit from this new outlet.

One of the fastest and easiest giving techniques yet has been created with the use of mobile phones. Virtually everyone has a cell phone on them at all times and most people (even my parents!) have learned the basics of sending a text message. A few non-profit organizations have discovered that the simplicity of texting can earn them quick money at critical times.

In June, Verizon Wireless teamed up with Save the Children to help raise money for relief efforts in China because of the recent earthquake and in Myanmar as a result of Cyclone Nargis. Customers simply texted the word “quake” or “cyclone” to 4SAVE and Verizon would add a $5 donation to their monthly bill. This method prevents customers from having to take the time to write a check, find the address, locate a stamp and then get the donation in the mail. Now, in a matter of seconds all of that is done for them. Although some would argue that it’s really not that difficult to mail a check, in an increasingly fast-paced society, every second counts. In addition, the non-profit organizations receiving text donations receive the gift much faster than if they had to wait for it in the mail and in emergency situations such as the relief efforts in China and Myanmar, there isn’t a minute to spare.

Currently, there are only a few organizations employing the “text to give” strategy. Use the links below to learn more about mobile media giving to help your organization get ahead of the game.

mGive is expecting United Way, PBS, American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Keep A Child Alive, IFAW and Amnesty International to launch mobile giving campaigns.
http://www.mobilegiving.org/

PayPalhas an area on their Web site to set up mobile giving for three organizations: Amnesty International, UNICEF, and Starlight Starbright.
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/cps/mobile/Text2Give-outside