The world of SMS has long been divided into two main types of programs with different strengths, weaknesses and legal considerations: broadcast and peer-to-peer programs. Launching an SMS program is among the best ways to generate new and diversified revenue. With SMS, you get most of the benefits of first-mover status in this still nascent channel, while getting to draw on the hard-won experience of others. It is among the fastest growing direct-marketing channels, with some nonprofits having raised as much as $1 million in the first year launching new programs. As with email, SMS has followed a similar course: experimentation, adoption and innovation. In fact, text-to-give is now rarely used by nonprofits to interact with their supporters. Supporters from all over the country would send a text and the transaction would be seamlessly appended to a supporter’s cell phone bill, but at a huge cost to nonprofits, limiting its use to giant organizations and the scale of natural disasters.īut flash forward to now, and the good news is that SMS has become much more diversified and accessible. You remember how this goes - during a substantial emergency, celebrities would gather for a telethon and “Text $5 to XXX to donate” would flash across the screen.

In the aftermath of disasters, it was the Red Cross utilizing text-to-give functionality.

By now, you’ve surely heard about the incredible levels of engagement possible through a short message service (SMS) program and the widespread growth in adoption of SMS throughout the nonprofit industry.īut some preconceptions are hard to overcome, like the belief that SMS is only the dominion of fundraisers at nonprofits with universal name recognition and an urgent mission.įundraisers at nonprofit organizations of all sizes and missions are seeing success building SMS programs to support wide-ranging goals, helping enhance supporter engagement efforts, from fundraising to advocacy to events.įirst, a quick look back at early SMS use cases.

Textify website