4 Types Of Mobile Giving For Nonprofit Fundraising

In this digital age, mobile devices have become our constant companions, seamlessly integrating into every aspect of our lives. But did you know that they also hold the potential to revolutionize the way we support and contribute to the causes we care about?

As much as it benefits us to give, it also helps nonprofits connect with their supporters and raise funds. Mobile giving has emerged as a dynamic and innovative approach to collecting funds. With just a few taps, supporters can make a difference, transforming their compassion into a tangible impact.

What is mobile giving in nonprofit fundraising?

Mobile giving is a powerful fundraising strategy that allows donors to give money to your nonprofit organization using their smartphones or tablets. It leverages the widespread adoption of smartphones, text messaging, mobile apps, and mobile-optimized platforms to engage donors in a convenient and accessible way. 

Gone are the days of cumbersome paper forms or lengthy donation processes. Now, through mobile giving, individuals can support their favorite nonprofits anytime, anywhere, with ease and efficiency. 

Whether it's responding to a text-to-give campaign, contributing through a mobile-responsive donation page, or using dedicated mobile giving apps, the possibilities for seamless giving are boundless.

In this blog, we’ll list the four types of mobile giving for nonprofit fundraising and see how each one of them can leverage the power of mobile to amplify its impact.

1. Text-to-give mobile fundraising

If you are looking for a way to increase your nonprofit's fundraising revenue, text-to-give is a great option. It is a convenient, effective, and affordable way to collect donations from your supporters. These campaigns have a conversion rate of 10-15%, which is significantly higher than other fundraising methods.

What is text-to-give mobile fundraising?

Text-to-give is a mobile fundraising campaign that allows donors to make donations to a nonprofit organization by texting a keyword or code to a short code. When a donor texts the keyword or code, they are sent a link to a secure donation page where they can enter their payment information.

Text-to-give mobile fundraising has gained popularity due to its convenience, simplicity, and ability to quickly engage donors. These campaigns are especially effective at generating small donations, which can add up to a significant amount of money over time. In fact, as per a survey, these campaigns can generate an average of $30 per donor.

They are very effective during times of disaster relief efforts. For instance, after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the American Red Cross raised over $43 million through text donations. Similarly, after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the organization raised over $10 million through text-to-give.

Another advantage of text-to-give campaigns is their ability to generate quick responses and donations. The Mobile Giving Foundation reports that the average time between a donor initiating a text donation and completing the process is just 2 minutes.  

While text-to-give campaigns can be effective, it's important to note that their success also relies on factors such as effective promotion, compelling messaging, and building trust with donors. Organizations should also consider the potential costs associated with implementing text-to-give campaigns, such as transaction fees charged by service providers.

2. Mobile email campaigns

A mobile email fundraising campaign is a type of email fundraising campaign that is specifically designed to be opened and read on mobile devices. It involves sending emails with compelling content, donation appeals, and clickable links to mobile-responsive donation pages, allowing donors to contribute directly from their mobile devices.

This type of campaign is becoming increasingly important as more and more people use their smartphones and tablets to check their email.

What are the benefits of a mobile email fundraising campaign?

A mobile email fundraising campaign makes sense for several reasons. 

1. Firstly, mobile devices are always with people, so they are more likely to open their emails on mobile devices rather than wait to open them on their desktops or laptops. 
2. Mobile emails can be better personalized than traditional emails, as they can be tailored to the specific device that the recipient is using.
3. Thirdly, mobile emails can be more interactive than traditional emails, as they can include features such as videos, images, and buttons in prominent positions that allow donors to take action immediately. 

And there is much survey feedback to prove this point. Mobile email opens are 15% higher than desktop email opens. They enjoy a higher 10% click-through rate and a 5% conversion rate than desktop email rates. These statistics show that mobile email fundraising campaigns can be a very effective way to raise money for your nonprofit.

Mobile email campaigns can also aid in donor retention efforts. A study by Nonprofit Tech for Good found that nonprofits retain an average of 45% of donors from year to year. Effective email communication, personalized messaging, and targeted appeals can help maintain donor loyalty and foster long-term relationships.   

But the success of a mobile email fundraising campaign depends on the email design, content quality, segmentation, and the effective use of data analytics to track and optimize campaign performance. And, organizations should ensure that their email campaigns comply with relevant privacy and data protection regulations, such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) or CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act).

All said and done, mobile email fundraising campaigns have some challenges. For example, mobile email messages can be more difficult to read and navigate than traditional email messages. Also, some mobile email providers have strict spam filters that can prevent your messages from being delivered.

Despite these challenges, mobile email fundraising campaigns can be a very effective way to reach your donors and raise money for your cause. Make every campaign unique. Monitor and analyze campaign metrics specific to your organization to gauge the effectiveness of your mobile email fundraising efforts. Regular testing, refining strategies, and adapting to donor preferences can help improve campaign outcomes over time.

3. Mobile-responsive donation pages

A mobile-responsive donation page is a website or landing page that is designed to be viewed and used on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This means that the page will automatically adjust its layout and content to fit the size of the device that it is being viewed on to make it easily readable, navigable, and usable on smaller screens, providing a seamless user experience for mobile donors.

Why should you opt for a mobile-responsive donation page?

The effectiveness of mobile-responsive donation pages can significantly impact fundraising success, as more people access websites and make donations through mobile devices. Here are some reasons why you should opt for a donation page that is mobile-friendly.

Easy & convenient 

It makes it easier for donors to give to your organization. When donors can easily view and use your donation page on their mobile devices, they are more likely to complete their donation.

Wider audience

Having a mobile responsive donation page can help you reach a wider audience. Since more and more people are using their mobile devices to access the internet, a mobile-responsive donation page will allow you to reach donors who might not otherwise be able to donate to your organization.

Higher engagement

Mobile devices play a substantial role in online engagement and donation behavior. In fact, according to a study by Statista, over 60% of all online traffic now comes from mobile devices. Therefore, it is crucial for nonprofit organizations to optimize their donation pages for mobile users to capture and retain their attention.

Increased conversion rates

Mobile-responsive donation pages have been shown to have a positive impact on conversion rates. A study found that organizations with mobile-responsive donation pages experienced an average 34% increase in conversion rates. This increase indicates that optimizing the donation page for mobile devices can significantly boost donation success.

Seamless donation process

A mobile-responsive donation page allows donors to complete the entire donation process without encountering issues or needing to switch devices. This seamless experience increases the likelihood of donors following through with their contributions.

Enhancement in donor trust

A well-designed, mobile-responsive donation page enhances the credibility and trustworthiness of an organization. It demonstrates that the organization values the donor's experience and is committed to providing a secure and convenient platform for making donations.

There are several factors you have to take into consideration while designing a mobile-responsive donation page. Organizations should ensure that the entire donation process, including the payment gateway and confirmation messages, is mobile-responsive to provide a seamless experience from start to finish. We recommend trying custom fundraising software that allows you to create an online donation page that is mobile-responsive.  

Tips to increase the chances of success for a mobile-responsive donation page

• Make sure your donation page is easy to use on a mobile device.
• Use simple language that is easy to understand and read on a small screen.
• Keep your donation page clear and concise.
• Use eye-catching images and videos to grab attention.
• Include a clear call to action.
• Test different mobile donation page templates to see what works best for your audience.

By following these tips, you can create mobile responsive donation pages that are effective and engaging.

4. Mobile giving apps

Mobile giving apps are applications designed for smartphones and mobile devices that enable users to make charitable donations directly from their devices. These apps provide a convenient and user-friendly way for individuals to discover and support nonprofit organizations, campaigns, and causes. 

Mobile giving apps are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people use their mobile devices to access the internet and make purchases. In fact, according to a study, the number of donations made through mobile giving apps increased by 205% between 2016 and 2019. This demonstrates the increasing adoption and effectiveness of mobile giving apps as a fundraising channel. 

Benefits of having a mobile giving app for fundraising

Having an exclusive mobile giving app s a costly investment. But, there are several benefits to it.

Easy & convenient

Mobile giving apps offer a convenient and streamlined way for donors to make contributions. These apps typically store donor information securely, making it easier for individuals to donate with just a few taps on their mobile devices. The simplicity and ease of use contribute to higher engagement and donation rates.

Reach a global audience

Since more and more people are using their mobile devices to access the internet, a mobile giving app will allow you to reach donors who might not otherwise be able to donate to your organization. One more point to note here is that mobile giving apps have been particularly successful in engaging younger donors, such as millennials and Gen Z. A study by the Blackbaud Institute found that millennials are more likely to donate via mobile apps compared to other age groups. Additionally, the study reported that 33% of millennials are inspired to give by social media and mobile apps.

Peer-to-peer fundraising

Some mobile giving apps incorporate peer-to-peer fundraising features, allowing individuals to create personal fundraising pages and share them with their networks. This social aspect encourages supporters to leverage their personal connections and expand the reach of the fundraising campaign. 

Recurring donations

Mobile giving apps increase recurring donations, allowing users to set up automatic, ongoing contributions to their chosen causes. This feature enhances donor retention and provides a predictable stream of support for nonprofits. 

Fundraising event integration

Mobile giving apps can be integrated into fundraising events, enabling attendees to make donations on the spot. This feature facilitates real-time engagement and immediate contributions, maximizing the impact of events and campaigns.

But as we said, creating a dedicated mobile giving app is a costly investment. We suggest that nonprofits should consider factors such as the size and preferences of their target audience, compatibility with different mobile platforms, and any associated costs or transaction fees when evaluating the effectiveness and suitability of mobile giving apps for their fundraising efforts. 

 

How GivingX helps nonprofits to create mobile-responsive donation pages and forms

GivingX is a custom fundraising software that helps nonprofits and individuals create online donation pages and forms. It has a low platform fee of 1.45% and offers a range of features to help you create mobile-responsive donation pages and forms effortlessly. 

1. You can utilize 5000+ apps on Zapier through its free unlimited integrations feature.
2. It provides you with 125+ secured payment gateways to offer flexible payment options to donors. 
3. You can translate the donation page content into your target audience's language using its automatic language-translation tool.
4. It offers the highest data security in online fundraising through its PCI compliance standards.
5. Utilize its donor management CRM to manage and grow your donor list.
6. Add a monthly giving program feature to the form to increase recurring donations.
7. Insert the fundraising goal tracker feature on your page to encourage donations and keep the donors updated about the status of your fundraising goal.

GivingX’s features & pricing make it the best-in-class. You can easily create a mobile-responsive online donation page to start your crowdfunding now.    

 

Wrapping Up

The rise of mobile devices and the popularity of mobile apps have transformed the way people interact with charitable causes and organizations. By embracing mobile giving strategies and using the custom fundraising software GivingX, nonprofits can tap into a vast pool of potential donors and maximize their fundraising efforts.

But mobile giving is not just about convenience; it's about building connections and inspiring action. It empowers nonprofits to tell compelling stories, share inspiring updates, and rally their communities around a common cause through the very devices we carry with us every day. It's a catalyst for engagement, sparking a sense of purpose and igniting the desire to create meaningful change.

As technology continues to advance, the opportunities for mobile fundraising will only grow, making it a vital component of any nonprofit's fundraising strategy. By using text-to-give, mobile email fundraising, mobile responsive donation pages, and mobile giving apps, nonprofits can reach a wider audience and make it easier for donors to donate for a cause now.