Are you still collecting checks and cash donations for your events and campaigns? If so, this article is for you. At The Cause, we are digital fundraising strategists, which means mobile giving. This post covers mobile giving basics to help you reach your fundraising goals.
Did you know that over 60% of all online traffic comes from mobile devices? And that number is only going to go up. That is why it is more important than ever for nonprofits to have a mobile giving strategy. It’s the 21st century, and your nonprofit should be using every technology at its disposal to fundraise.
So, if you’re not yet taking advantage of this fundraising channel, you are probably missing out!
What is Mobile Giving?
Mobile giving is the act of using your mobile phone to donate money to a charitable cause. It's a convenient way to give and is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people use their phones for everything from banking to shopping.
When it comes to giving, there are now more options than ever before. No longer are donors confined to writing a check or dropping cash into a collection basket. Now, supporters can use their mobile phones to give to their favorite causes in various ways.
Here are just a few of the most popular:
Text-to-Give: Donors send a text message to a designated number to donate. The donation is then added to their phone bill or deducted from their prepaid balance.
QR Code Giving: Donors scan a QR code with their phone and are forwarded to a website, social media page, or giving page.
Mobile Apps: Many charities now have their own mobile apps that allow donors to give with just a few clicks.
Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have integrated fundraising tools that make collecting donations and support more accessible.
Why Should You Use Mobile Giving as a Fundraising Strategy?
There are many reasons to create a plan for your mobile giving activities, but here are just a few:
It's easy. No need to fiddle with cash or checkbooks when you can click.
It's fast. Dour donors can give on the go.
It's convenient. Donors can give anytime, anywhere.
It's popular. More and more people are using their cell phones to give, so it's a great way to reach potential donors.
It's effective. You may be surprised by the results.
Need more convincing, here are some 2021 stats from Blackbaud:
12% of total fundraising comes from online
28% of donors complete their donations on mobile devices
There has been a 42% increase in online giving over the past three years
It continues to increase 9% year over year
13 Best Practices for Marketing Mobile Fundraising
When creating your mobile giving strategy, there are some best practices to keep in mind to ensure that your appeal is successful.
First and foremost, clearly state the purpose of the campaign and how donors' contributions will be utilized. Donors need to know that their money is going to a good cause and will be used effectively.
You should also use a strong image to support your campaign but avoid video because it can slow down the landing page.
Create your website using a mobile-responsive platform like WordPress, GoDaddy, or Wix. Test your page load speed as well. Slow pages are a sure way to lose potential donors fast.
Make giving easy for your donors by using a quick and straightforward process that can be completed on the move. Include buttons or links to donate in all the usual places like the footer, header, etc.
Streamline the donation forms to only require essential information for mobile payments. You can follow up later (like when you thank them) to ask for more information for your donor management.
Provide simple instructions when using offline tools such as QR codes or text messaging.
Make giving on the go easy with multiple payment gateways. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal are how the kids are doing these days.
Promote your campaigns on your social media and optimize for Google search results.
Pair your online campaigns with email campaigns.
Post flyers with your QR code at strategic locations visible from high-traffic areas so they can be easily scanned when someone walks past.
Make the most of your app and stay connected with your donors. You can remind supporters of the campaign or send text reminders with push notifications.
Encourage sharing with friends and family. Ask participants to share their success stories when donating or ask them to share your information with their networks.
Finally, don't forget to follow up with donors after they give. A thank you note, phone call, or email is always appreciated and helps build relationships with supporters.
What to Look for in a Mobile Giving Platform
When looking for a mobile giving platform, there are a few key things to keep in mind. You want to make sure that the platform is user-friendly and that it offers a variety of giving options. You also want to ensure that the platform is compatible with your organization's accounting software.
User-Friendliness: The platform should be easy to use for donors and staff. The donation process should be simple, and the team should be able to track donations and manage donor information easily.
Giving Options: The platform should offer various giving options, such as one-time gifts, recurring gifts, and memorial gifts. Options will allow donors to give in the way that best suits their needs.
Compatibility: The platform should be compatible with your organization's accounting software. The compatibility will make it easy to track donations, send tax receipts and manage donor information.
These are just a few things to look for in a mobile giving platform. By keeping these factors in mind, you can be sure to find a system that best suits your needs.
There you have it – some best practices for mobile fundraising! If you follow these tips, your campaign is sure to be a success. As always, feel free to reach out to us if you need any help getting started or want advice from experts in the field. Thanks for reading!
Check out our YouTube video on Mobile Giving.
Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter containing tips, tricks, tactics and technology for fundraising and nonprofit marketing!