Nonprofit organizations have struggled to stand out in a crowded market, competing for attention and funds. But what if there was a way for organizations to make a more significant impact and easily capture donors’ attention? Enter text-to-donate technology – a powerful tool changing the game.
In this article, we’ll explore how:
- To integrate text-to-donate into existing channels
- Tips on how to promote your call-to-action
Read along to learn how text-to-donate helps nonprofits stand out, including tips for crafting a compelling campaign, maximizing your efforts, and taking advantage of this fundraising method’s many benefits.
How to Use Text-to-Donate in Combination with Other Channels
Text-to-donate is a convenient and effective way to mobilize your supporters and collect donations through their mobile devices. But text-to-donate is more than just a standalone solution. It works best when integrated with traditional fundraising channels like phone, mail, social media, and in-person events.
By promoting your text-to-donate campaign across multiple channels, you can increase your exposure and engagement. You can also use a compelling and concise call-to-action that motivates supporters to:
- Text a keyword or emoji
- Scan a QR code
Even though donations made through the text are smaller gifts ($5, $10, $20, or $25), the fact that they are charged directly to the donor’s cellphone bill makes it an easy and convenient way to donate, expanding your donor pool.
Follow along as we show you how to implement MGFC’s text-to-donate tool into five common fundraising channels and how to craft an appealing call-to-action to hook your audience.
Telethon
Text-to-donate allows you to capture the attention and generosity of your viewers in real-time and make donating as easy as sending a text message.
- How to implement: Display your call-to-action on screen and invite viewers to text in your keyword (or emoji) as they watch. You can also include your call-to-action in the lower third or ticker of the screen.
- How to promote: Use phrases like “Text [keyword] to [Short Code] to give $10 to support our cause,” or “Join our text-to-donate community today.”
charity looking to supercharge your fundraising.
Radio or podcasts
Radio and podcasts have a dedicated listener base and community, which makes them an extremely effective tool to communicate your message, inspire the audience to take action, and support your cause with a quick and easy text donation.
- How to implement: Mention your call-to-action in your ad. It’s best to repeat this call-to-action several times and spell the keyword if necessary. Verbalizing a call-to-action adds a valuable personal touch, which can be a great driver to encourage donations.
- How to promote: Have fun with promotions and visuals by using emojis. Use emojis that tie to your cause when you ask people to donate.
Food Bank Friday is happening TOMORROW from 6am – 6pm! Text a ($5) ($10) or ($25) to 30333 and help us help the @VanFoodBank this holiday season.
More info can be found at https://t.co/x7R1Rf6InT along with the secure link to donate. pic.twitter.com/jLyZaBqGek
— SONiC (@sonicradio) December 15, 2022
raised $16K and spent less than $250 to run their campaign.
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Charity looking to try new ways of fundraising.
Social media
Text-to-donate enables you to reach and engage your followers and turn them into donors with a simple and convenient call-to-action.
- How to implement: Include your call-to-action in your ad or post’s caption, image, or video. You can also use a QR code if the platform allows it.
- How to promote: Use social proof that shows your supporters that they are part of a larger community and movement. For example, “Thousands of people have already texted CHANGE to 45678. Will you be the next one?”
Promoting on social media also gives you opportunities for peer-to-peer fundraising, where donors can help spread the word about your cause. Your followers and supporters can easily share your post, share screenshots of their text-to-donate experience, and tag their friends to do the same.
“Launching a TELUS Friendly Future Foundation® text-to-donate campaign: Simply text DONATE to 41010 to give $20 to TELUS Friendly Future Foundation to help support earthquake relief in Türkiye and Syria.” – TELUS Friendly Future Foundation®
professional in the non-profit space.
Direct mail campaign
Text-to-donate allows you to connect your print materials with your digital platform and give your supporters a choice of how to donate.
- How to implement: Print your QR code or text call-to-action on your envelopes, flyers, postcards, etc.
- How to promote: Use emotional triggers that appeal to your supporters’ values and emotions. For example, “Help us save lives and text HOPE to 45678 to give $25 right now.”
Mobile Giving Foundation Canada is pleased to support the Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting and restoring nature, heritage and communities.
innovative mobile fundraising solutions.
In-person events
Live, in-person events create an opportunity for you to leverage the energy and excitement of your event. When incorporating text-to-donate, you can encourage your attendees to donate on the spot with their mobile devices while they feel most compelled to give.
- How to implement: Display your QR code or your text call-to-action on banners, posters, or screens at your event venue. You can also announce your text-to-donate campaign during your speeches or presentations and ask supporters to text on the spot.
- How to promote: Use clear and concise language that tells your supporters precisely what to do and how to do it. For example, “Text GIVE to 45678 to donate $10 to our cause.”
A great motivator is to have a fundraising goal and to be vocal about that goal. MGFC can set up a tracker that will show donations received via text in real-time to encourage supporters to help you reach your goal.
Don’t forget to send you child with a Loonie or Toonie for our Family Literacy Day. You can send these donations in all week. Every dollar we raise stays at the school for books. Education Matters grant match what we raise and that money goes to a school less fortunate than us. pic.twitter.com/Dk0C3sqRig
— Capitol Hill School CBE (@capitol_school) January 25, 2023
By implementing text-to-donate into your existing fundraising strategy, you can create a more holistic and effective campaign that reaches more supporters and drives more donations. Create a fundraising campaign that will resonate with your donors.
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MGFC’s Amazing Partners
MGFC can provide Canada’s only carrier-billed text-to-donate platform due to its incredible partner network—a special thanks to all our delivery, technology, and strategic partners that make what we do possible.
Carrier Partners: BCE Inc. (Bell Mobility, Bell MTS, PC Mobile, Virgin Plus, Lucky Mobile), Eastlink, Shaw Communications (Freedom Mobile, Shaw Mobile), Rogers (Chatr, Fido), Tbaytel, TELUS (Koodo), Videotron (Fizz).
Technology Partners: ICF Next, Bandsintown, AWS, and Dirox.
Executive Partner: The Canadian Telecommunications Association.
U.S. Partner: The Mobile Giving Foundation is the sister organization to MGFC and shares technology resources.
Strategy Partners: designACE This blog was written in partnership with Andrew Edwards and Christine Reynolds, designACE.
www.mobilegiving.ca | [email protected] | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
Final Thoughts
Text-to-donate is a powerful tool that can enhance your fundraising strategy and increase your donations without adding extra effort for you or your donors. Integrating it with other traditional channels allows you to reach more supporters and motivate them to donate with a simple and convenient call to action. Try text-to-donate today and see the difference it can make for your cause.