Articles

Browse Articles » Software » A Comprehensive Text-to-Give Guide for...

A Comprehensive Text-to-Give Guide for Nonprofit Organizations

by Steve J. Digital Marketing

As a nonprofit organization, you know how critical fundraising is to your mission. From organizing events to sending out donation letters, you've explored every avenue to maximize your donations. But have you considered the power of text-to-give? With more and more people using their mobile phones to make purchases and donations, it's time to harness this technology for your fundraising efforts. However, if you're new to text-to-give, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Don't worry - we've got you covered! In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about text-to-give, from how it works to best practices for implementation. We'll walk you through the steps to set up your own text-to-give campaign and provide tips for effective promotion and engagement. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to launch a successful text-to-give campaign and take your fundraising to the next level.

Benefits of text-to-give for nonprofit organizations

Text-to-give has become an increasingly popular fundraising option for nonprofit organizations in recent years. It's easy to see why: it's a quick and convenient way for donors to give, and it allows organizations to reach a wider audience. Here are some of the benefits of using text-to-give for your nonprofit:

Convenience

One of the main benefits of text-to-give is the convenience it provides to donors. With text-to-give, donors can easily donate to your organization from anywhere, at any time, using their mobile devices. This eliminates the need for checks or cash donations and makes the donation process more accessible and user-friendly.

Higher Donor Engagement

Text-to-give campaigns can help you engage with your donors in new and exciting ways. By providing your donors with an easy way to donate, you may be able to reach a wider audience and encourage more people to support your organization. Additionally, because text-to-give is such a new and innovative way to donate, it can help you stand out from other nonprofit organizations in your field.

Increased Fundraising

Finally, text-to-give campaigns can lead to increased fundraising for your organization. By making it easy for donors to give, you may be able to encourage more people to donate to your organization. Additionally, because text-to-give campaigns are often associated with specific events or campaigns, they can help you raise funds for a particular cause or project.

How does text-to-give work?

Text-to-give is a simple process that involves donors sending a text message to a specific number to make a donation to a nonprofit organization. Here's how it works:

Choose a text-to-give provider The first step in setting up a text-to-give campaign is to choose a text-to-give provider. There are several providers available, each with its own features and pricing. Look for a provider that offers the features you need at a price that fits your budget.

Set up your campaign Once you've chosen a provider, you'll need to set up your text-to-give campaign. This involves choosing a keyword that donors will use to donate, setting a donation amount, and linking your campaign to a payment processing service.

Promote your campaign Once your campaign is set up, it's time to promote it to your donors. Use social media, email, and other marketing channels to spread the word about your campaign and encourage people to donate.

Collect donations As donations come in, they will be processed by your text-to-give provider and deposited into your organization's account. You can track donations and donor information through your provider's dashboard.

Choosing a text-to-give provider

Choosing the right text-to-give provider is critical to the success of your campaign. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a provider:

Features

Different text-to-give providers offer different features, so it's important to choose a provider that offers the features you need. Some important features to look for include the ability to set up recurring donations, the ability to customize your donation form, and the ability to collect donor information.

Pricing

Text-to-give providers typically charge a fee for their services. Look for a provider that offers transparent pricing and doesn't charge hidden fees. Some providers charge a flat fee per transaction, while others charge a percentage of the donation amount.

Payment Processing

Your text-to-give provider will process donations on your behalf, so it's important to choose a provider that uses a reputable payment processor. Look for a provider that uses a payment processor that is PCI-compliant and has a good reputation for security.

Customer Support

Finally, look for a text-to-give provider that offers good customer support. You'll want to choose a provider that is responsive to your needs and can help you troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Setting up your text-to-give campaign

Once you've chosen a text-to-give provider, it's time to set up your campaign. Here are the steps you'll need to follow:

Choose a keyword

The first step in setting up your campaign is to choose a keyword that donors will use to donate. This keyword should be short and easy to remember. You'll want to choose a keyword that is unique to your organization and that hasn't already been used by another organization.

Set a donation amount

Next, you'll need to set a donation amount. This is the amount that donors will be asked to donate when they send a text message to your keyword. You can set a fixed donation amount or allow donors to choose their own donation amount.

Link to a payment processor

Your text-to-give provider will need to link to a payment processor to process donations on your behalf. Make sure you choose a payment processor that is reputable and has a good track record for security.

Customize your donation form

You'll also want to customize your donation form to make it as user-friendly as possible. This may include adding your organization's logo, providing a brief description of your organization, and including an opt-in for future communications.

Creating effective call-to-actions for your text-to-give campaign

Creating effective call-to-actions is a critical part of any text-to-give campaign. Here are some tips for creating effective call-to-actions:

Keep it short and sweet

Your call to action should be short and to the point. Use clear and concise language that tells donors exactly what to do.

Use action-oriented language

Use action-oriented language that encourages donors to take action. Use verbs like "donate," "give," or "support" to motivate donors to donate.

Make it urgent

Create a sense of urgency in your call-to-action by using phrases like "Donate now" or "Time is running out." This will encourage donors to donate quickly and help you reach your fundraising goals faster.

Promoting your text-to-give campaign

Promoting your text-to-give campaign is critical to its success. Here are some tips for promoting your campaign:

Use social media

Social media is a great way to promote your text-to-give campaign. Use your organization's social media accounts to spread the word about your campaign and encourage people to donate.

Use email

Email is another effective way to promote your text-to-give campaign. Send out an email blast to your organization's supporters, and encourage them to donate by including a link to your text-to-give campaign.

Partner with influencers

Partnering with influencers or other organizations in your field can help you reach a wider audience and encourage more people to donate to your campaign.

Measuring the success of your text-to-give campaign

Measuring the success of your text-to-give campaign is critical to improving future campaigns. Here are some key metrics to track:

Donations

Track the number of donations you received during your campaign to see how successful it was.

Donor retention

Track donor retention rates to see how many donors continued to support your organization after the campaign.

Engagement

Track engagement rates to see how many people interacted with your campaign on social media, email, or other channels.

Common mistakes to avoid in text-to-give campaigns

Finally, here are some common mistakes to avoid in text-to-give campaigns:

Not promoting your campaign enough

One of the biggest mistakes organizations make in text-to-give campaigns is not promoting the campaign enough. Make sure you use all available marketing channels to promote your campaign and encourage donors to donate.

Not providing enough information

Make sure you provide donors with enough information about your organization and the cause you're supporting. This will help donors understand why their donations are important and encourage them to give.

Not following up with donors

Make sure you follow up with donors after the campaign to thank them for their support and provide them with updates on your organization's work.

Examples of successful text-to-give campaigns

Here are some examples of successful text-to-give campaigns:

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross launched a text-to-give campaign in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. They used the keyword REDCROSS to encourage people to donate $10 to the relief effort. The campaign raised over $30 million in donations.

National Breast Cancer Foundation

The National Breast Cancer Foundation launched a text-to-give campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer. They used the keyword NBCF to encourage people to donate $5 to the cause. The campaign raised over $500,000 in donations.

Conclusion

Text-to-give can be a powerful tool for nonprofit organizations looking to raise funds and engage with donors. By following the steps outlined in this guide and avoiding common mistakes, you can launch a successful text-to-give campaign and take your fundraising to the next level. Don't be afraid to experiment with different strategies and campaigns to see what works best for your organization. With the right approach, text-to-give can help you reach your fundraising goals and make a difference in the world.