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Nonprofit Leaders 3min read

Mobile Giving App vs. Text-To-Give

Mobile giving comes in all shapes and sizes, and you may be wondering which method is truly the best of the best. If you pit the two biggest players against each other in a head-to-head showdown, which one will win? Is it text-to-give, or is a mobile giving app the superior option?

Round 1: The Freedom to Choose

Imagine for a moment that your organization receives support from two people — one using text-to-give, and the other using a mobile giving app. The first donor would like to give $100, but their text-to-give method only allows donations of $10 at a time. After going through the process of giving three times, they realize they are late for a dinner outing. While they fully intended to give a full $100, your organization ended up receiving a mere $30.

Meanwhile, the second donor is using a mobile giving app. As a result, they are able to give any amount of their choice. With no extra effort on their part, they are able to give $100 on the first try. They are able to get on with their day quickly, and you received a larger donation. They are happy, and you are happy.

Round 2: Putting Your Memory To The Test

When a donor uses text-to-give to contribute to your organization, they have to remember a very specific code. Generally, the process involves typing a code and sending the text to a special number.

But what happens if they forget the code? What happens if they don’t remember the number? What if they get confused and use the code for a different organization’s fundraiser? You miss out on that donation.

With a mobile giving app, on the other hand, they don’t have to memorize any special codes or numbers. They don’t have to keep your information separate in their mind from another cause they support. All they have to do is simply search for your organization and give.

Round 3: Mobile Giving App Campaigns

How many different fundraisers does your organization put on in a given year? If you put on multiple events or raise money to support more than one cause, a mobile giving app will be better able to handle the workload. Here’s why.

Using a mobile giving app, you can set up multiple campaigns within your organization’s profile. This enables your supporters to select a campaign envelope when completing their donation. Rather than simply directing all donations into a single fund, you can separate gifts to multiple causes. You can even create different campaigns for every new fundraising event.

Text-to-give simply can’t keep up with this functionality. To run more than one campaign, you would have to create another text code, which would further confuse your donors.

The Winner: Mobile Giving Apps

With three rounds complete, it looks like we have a clear winner: the mobile giving app. Just think of how much your organization could benefit from using this technology. What are you waiting for?

About the Author

Allison has a passion for charitable giving and believes that small acts of kindness can make the world a better place. She uses her web content and social media expertise to guide churches and nonprofits through the mobile fundraising process.

Allison Weaver