Consider Fundraising with a Text Donations Fundraiser for your next fund raising event or fundraiser!

Text Donations Fundraiser

You have seen 'Text to Give' campaigns after major natural disasters. Why not consider doing the same for your organization? The United Performing Arts Fund, Milwaukee, WI, launched its first mobile giving campaign. During a specified period, anyone with a cell phone can donate $10 to UPAF and its 34 member and affiliate performing arts groups, by texting UPAF to 20222 and then confirming their donation by replying yes to the text message they receive back. Donations are tax deductible, and pledges are billed through the donor's monthly cell phone bill. A one-time donation of $10 will be added to the donor's mobile phone bill or deducted from their prepaid balance.

DIY fundraising ideas

This is not an endorsement of the following company but it gives an example of how this can work. There are other firms that offer the same services. It would be wise to check with other organizations that you have seen use this fundraising method for advice on the vendor to use, tips, and pitfalls to avoid.

Causecast gives organizations the ability to raise money via cell phones in only 3 simple steps. Supporters of your cause send a text message to your keyword & short code and their $5 or $10 donation is applied to their cell phone bill. 1) Donors see a call to action at a live event, through Twitter/Facebook, or on television and other forms of marketing. Call to action can be setup for $5 or $10 donations; 2) Donors pull out their cell phones and text unique keyword (ex. “GOOD”) to phone number (ex. “20222″). Donor will then receive a confirmation message; and 3) Donor confirms the donation by replying “YES,” and then receives a thank you message. Donor will see the donation on their monthly phone bill. After a donor has made a donation via text message, a nontaxable charge is added to his/her mobile phone bill. The funds are collected from each carrier and your charity will then receive a check. They do however, charge a fee for this service.

We have included a number of do-it-yourself fundraising ideas in this section such as a Text Donations Fundraiser that offer a break from traditional product sales. They were developed by groups just like yours in an attempt have a little fun with their fundraiser. Some of them are tried and true while others show a lot of creativity ... and even wackiness in some cases. All of them are obviously not appropriate for every group, but sometimes, with only a little modification, your might find some fund raising ideas that are perfect for your group. If you have an idea for a do-it-yourself fund raiser you are willing to share with others, please send it to us via email at . Include anything and everything you would want to know if you were hearing the idea for the first time.