Text-to-donate is a mobile fundraising method that utilizes a form and is initiated by a text message from either the organization or the supporter. Following that, supporters will be sent a link to a cell phone giving form. When supporters have finished entering their information, the gift is considered successful.
A configurable text code is exclusive to the charitable organization that created it as well as the campaign it encourages. The aim is to create a noteworthy text code that raises the visibility of a campaign and increases the possibility of accepting funds. The text code should be kept easy to memorize, short, and simple to type in order to be spelled out aloud, shared on the internet or social media, printed on hand-outs, or envisioned at events.
Nonprofit groups can generate however many unique text codes as they need for all of their campaigns, initiatives, events, and other activities.
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What exactly is Text-to-Donate?
After registering for text-to-donate, an organization should create a quick unique code or campaign title so that you can connect with the donor base.
Donors have the option of texting a specific amount or a shortcode to the concerned receiving number. Hereafter, they will receive a link on their phone for confirming the amount of donation and providing the payment details. This way, for future donations, the donors can only text “donate” and the previously processed information will enable them to confirm the donation.
Why should you use Text-to-Donate?
Text-to-donate has no minimum requirements, unlike text-to-give. Text fundraising can thus be used by organizations and missions of whatever size.
● User-Friendly
Because text fundraising is so simple to use, your donors will love it. Even a supporter who isn’t particularly tech-savvy can easily donate to your cause in just a few simple steps. This approach dramatically increases donor conversion and decreases attrition because it guides users through the donation process step-by-step.
● Simple
There are many convenient ways to raise money, but two of the most popular ones are text-to-give and text-to-donate. Nowadays, most of us have our phones with us at all points in time. In 2019, mobile phones accounted for 56% of all web traffic worldwide.
Mobile-friendly platforms allow users to access the internet and all of its offerings no matter where they are! Donations to your cause can be made locally, at home, at the workplace, at a charity fundraiser, and even on your way somewhere.
● Unlimited
Text fundraising allows your nonprofit to receive an unrestricted number of donations and generate as many fundraising keywords as needed, trying to make text-to-give and text-to-donate two of the greatest ways to maximize the fundraising potential of your cause.
Despite the hype and this alleged success, not every nonprofit should use text-to-give as a fundraising tool. Although it can increase charitable contributions, there are some significant drawbacks to doing this in your fundraising approach, particularly when done incorrectly.
Pros and Cons of Text to Donate
● Expectation – Text-to-Donate fundraising is quick and easy
One of the simplest ways to raise funds is to ask followers to text a short keyword to a mobile number. Supporters mostly have their phones close to them, and many will gladly contribute a few dollars if they understand about a worthy cause.
Text-to-donate campaigns, as compared to collecting donations letters, media exposure, or publicity campaigns that require donors to click on a link and visit the websites, and many other types of fundraising, just take a couple of minutes for supporters to contribute.
There are multiple kinds of text-to-donate campaigns, with some being more straightforward than others. The entire process takes only a few seconds when donations can be made by a simple text with a keyword and donate a specified sum.
Other campaigns require that donors choose an amount or visit a website to complete their donation; however the more clicks, the lesser the retained amount of interest from the donor. Keep it quick and easy!
● Reality – There is no storytelling to engage the attention
Conventional text-to-donate fundraising campaigns require supporters to send a short unique code to a phone number and receive an automated response. This experience is straightforward, but it lacks the compelling personalization that would encourage supporters to make a donation again; and in fact, for this same reason, the retention rate for first-time donors is only 19%.
When fundraising appeals are addressed specifically to supporters, they are more likely to respond and develop a strong relationship with the organization. A solid fundraising plan requires donor information to encourage donors to up their contributions in the future, sign up as repetitive donors, or introduce a new campaign.
You can only stand in the abstract world of “I think” without access to the data as opposed to the real world of “I know.” That might then make it harder for you to raise money in the future and reduce your overall revenue.
● Expectation – Small donations are powerful with patience
Most charities get the majority of their funding from grants or large donations, but community contributions are becoming a more significant part of a multi-channel fundraiser’s strategy.
It’s easier than ever to give a few bucks and make a difference (thanks to text-to-donate fundraising campaigns), which is one reason why more and more regular people are giving to the causes they care about. Nonprofits can have a greater impact by investing the money from these small-dollar donors.
● Reality – Not everyone is aware!
When a company can spread the campaign with significant publicity efforts or when it already has a sizable social media following, text-to-give fundraising is at its most effective. The majority of nonprofits do not benefit from a well-known brand or publicity advantages that attract millions of potential donors.
Smaller nonprofits gain more from interpersonal fundraising efforts that rely on the personal networks of their current supporters; with the right tools, supporters can accumulate donations without incurring additional costs for publicity or advertising.
Final Words
Some nonprofits can successfully raise money through text-to-donate campaigns, but others may find it difficult to personalize or reach enough people among their existing followers.
Fortunately, nonprofits don’t just have to rely on text-to-donate fundraising; other strategies, like mailing appeals and texting parties, are just as effective. Ultimately, motivated supporters would always find some way to donate their time and effort to worthwhile causes.