Charity fundraising must embrace SMS donations, research
indicates
30 June 2009
New research into how charities use text messaging has
found that more must embrace the fundraising potential of the
technology.
According to a joint report from nfpSynergy, the Charities Aid
Foundation and the Institute of Fundraising, SMS services can boost
fundraising and communications within voluntary organisations.
Sending Out An SMS indicates that the growing popularity of 3G
and mobile internet could encourage more individuals to donate to
charity using their mobile phone.
The report states: "Personally, professionally and commercially,
the mobile phone has become the dominant communication device in
our lives today. Has the charity sector embraced the mobile phone
in the same way that everybody else has?
"The answer is no - not yet."
Barriers still faced by forward-thinking charitable
organisations include high operator charges and VAT on text
donations.
According to Professional Fundraising, SMS donations could bring
£100 million to the third sector every year if handled
correctly.
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