How to Take Donations Via SMS

Third-party vendors allow you to accept donations through text messages.

Today, cell phones are increasingly used for many sophisticated features, including raising money for organizations. Many technology-savvy people donate to organizations through their text message service. To accept donations through a text message, you must have a phone code for people to send donations to. Funds are deducted from the sender's monthly phone bill and transferred to your account. Mobile donation providers charge different fees to use their services. Research numerous providers online before making a final decision.

Instructions

1. Search for a text message donation provider in a search engine. Type "text message donations," "SMS donations ("Short Message Service" donations), or "mobile donations." Several providers will appear.

2. Review the terms and conditions for each provider. For example, mGive offers these services exclusively to 501(c)3-registered nonprofit organizations. As such, you must enter your organization's identifying information, including the group's federal Employer Identification Number. Most providers charge for this service, even if you are a non-profit organization. Review the fees as well.

3. Complete the provider's registration process. Besides entering your organization's name, address, federal EIN and bank account information, you may be required to select your own code for users to donate to. If the provider sends a test payment to your organization's bank account, wait the required amount of time for the deposit to appear and confirm that the payment was successfully deposited. Also, be prepared to pay any fees to open and maintain the account. Specific rules are given to you when you apply.

4. Promote your mobile fundraising campaign by distributing the donation code and fundraising campaign information to your constituents. For example, your organization's website designer can add a graphic to the webpage that displays the donation code after your donor's account is activated.

References

• MPowerGiving.com: Benefits

Resources

• MPower Giving: Mobile Giving
• MGive: Mobile Donations
• Give On The Go: Donations Go Mobile
• CauseCast: Mobile Fundraising