Text to Give: Mobile Fundraising Explained

By: Alec Hollingsworth

Updated:

July 2, 2025

Definition:

Text to Give lets donors contribute to nonprofits by sending a donation amount via SMS to a designated phone number.

Text to Give is a mobile fundraising method that enables donors to contribute to a nonprofit organization by sending a text message with a keyword or donation amount to a designated number. The donation is then added to the donor’s mobile phone bill or processed through a secure link sent via SMS. This approach simplifies the giving process, making it accessible and convenient for donors, especially during live events or urgent campaigns. Nonprofits often use Text to Give during fundraising drives, allowing supporters to act immediately in response to a call to action. This method is particularly effective for reaching donors who prefer mobile communication and wish to make quick, hassle-free donations.

Key Takeaways

Enables quick donations via SMS
Ideal for live events and urgent campaigns
Appeals to mobile-first donors
Simple setup and easy tracking

Why It Matters

Text to Give increases donation opportunities by offering a fast, easy, and accessible way for supporters to contribute using their mobile devices.

Real World Example

During a disaster relief campaign, a nonprofit promotes a Text to Give number at a televised event. Viewers are instructed to text the word 'HELP' to a short code, triggering a reply with a secure donation link. Within minutes, hundreds of donors complete their contributions using their smartphones. The nonprofit collects these donations in real-time and uses Keela to track and acknowledge each gift, ensuring prompt thank-you messages are sent. This approach provides immediate support for the relief effort and demonstrates how Text to Give can mobilize resources quickly during urgent situations.

How Keela Helps

Keela integrates with fundraising tools that support Text to Give, allowing nonprofits to track mobile donations alongside other giving channels. With Keela, organizations can monitor Text to Give campaigns, segment donors based on their giving method, and follow up with personalized communications—all from one centralized platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Text to Give work?

Donors send a keyword or donation amount via SMS to a designated number, and the donation is processed through their phone bill or a secure link.

Is Text to Give secure?

Yes. Donations are processed through secure payment gateways or mobile carriers, ensuring donor information is protected.

Can I track Text to Give donations in Keela?

Absolutely. Keela allows you to track, segment, and report on donations made via Text to Give, just like any other fundraising channel.

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