FAQs for Micro-mobile Donations
of $5 and $10 Campaigns

Can my organization create a personalized "Thank-You" message for our donors? The first two messages any new mobile donor receives are highly regulated and this not customizable. However nonprofits have the ability to customize the "Notification Message" sent out to every donor 1-7 days after their donation is made. Our most successful clients utilize this message to drive donors to other opportunities of involvement both via mobile and online.

Can my company create separate mobile “subscription” lists? Yes, but it would require an opt-in keyword separate from your donation keyword.

Do I need my own shortcode to run a mobile giving campaign? No. You can use one of our shared short codes already provisioned by the nation’s largest carriers for Mobile Giving. If you wish to have a proprietary short code provisioned for mobile giving we can facilitate the process for you. It takes up 15 weeks to get a new proprietary code provisioned and there are additional costs involved.

Can a mobile donor give in excess of $5 per donation? Yes! There are two mobile donation campaign options: $5 & $10. Your organization will determine this when you register and create your first campaign. Additionally, mobile donors can always give more than once, up to $25 per campaign per month.

Does your service work on all wireless carriers? Our serviceworks on most major carriers in the United States giving your organization access to a potential 260 million mobile subscribers. Participating Carriers include:
AT&T, Sprint, Nextel, T-Mobile, USA Verizon Wireless, U.S. Cellular

How many text message donations can be made at one time?
Is it possible for thousands to come in within a short timeframe without overwhelming the system? Our system can handle large volumes of donation traffic but it is always best to notify your Account Manager if you are anticipating a lot of traffic. If thousands of keywords will come in within a short timeframe, we must open up the system to allow for quicker response times.

Can my organization use a short code for purposes other than collecting donations,
such as sending content out to subscribers? Is there an additional cost to do this? The short codes currently approved and operating within the Mobile Giving channel are only provisioned for two types of campaigns: 1) Standard Rate (Free) SMS subscriptions 2) Premium ($5 & $10) Mobile Donations. Other types of sms campaigns (polls, sweepstakes, trivia, content delivery, etc) are not allowed on these shortcodes. We have other codes for these campaigns.

For outgoing text message campaigns, do costs depend on how many text messages
my organization sends out? Messaging costs are determined by the package selected by your organization and start at $.03/msg. For more information on messaging costs contact your account manager or visit our pricing page.

Development

Do you have a system that my organization can use to pass collected mobile numbers
from our system over to yours? Yes. This can be done using our API document, or by asking your Account Manager to setup a custom email to send an Excel spreadsheet of mobile numbers to upload into the system.

What type of customization do you offer for the online widget? Our customizable Flash donation widgets allow you to upload an image and call to action copy unique to your campaign. Every donation campaign has its own widget and each is customizable in these regards. Feel free to post these widgets on your website, blogs, Social Networks and anywhere else you can!

Fees/Funds

Besides using a major credit card, is there a way for my organization to set up a mobile giving program? You must use a major credit card to get started but we can arrange for electronic funds transfer for your bank account. Alternatively you may pay for one year upfront with a check.

Is there any charge to the donor for text messages sent or received during a mobile donation? Depending on the donor’s wireless carrier and service plan they may be charged a nominal fee by their wireless carrier for sending and receiving text messages (approximately $0.05-$0.15 cents per text). Unlimited or bulk text messaging plans are becoming very popular with mobile subscribers and are heavily promoted by most major wireless carriers. If the donor has an unlimited text messaging plan, there would be no additional text messaging charges from the wireless carrier

For outgoing text message campaigns, do costs depend on how many text messages
my organization sends out? Messaging costs are determined by the package selected by your organization and start at $.03/msg. For more information on messaging costs, visit our Pricing Page or for existing users, contact your account manager.

How long does it take for a donor's gift to reach the intended cause or charity? The distribution of funds is based on the quarterly carrier payout schedule. Every 90 days the carriers disburse the funds generated from your mobile donation campaign to The mGive Foundation which then passes those funds along to your organization along with a detailed remittance report for each donation campaign you have.

Do your per-transaction fees ($1.00) cover or include the fees of The Foundation as well? Yes. Part of each transaction fee goes to help the TMF maintain operations. TMF ensures compliance with US mobile giving standards, vet each charity that wishes to participate in mobile giving and distributes funds collected by carriers directly to nonprofits participating in the channel.

General

How can I access my Log In information and/or change my personal information (address, etc…) with you? Simply click ACCOUNT INFORMATION at the top, and the links you need are to the left.

Can a mobile donor give in excess of $5 per donation? Yes! There are two mobile donation campaign options: $5 & $10. Your organization will determine this when you register and create your first campaign. Additionally, mobile donors can always give more than once, up to $25 per campaign.

What is a keyword? Used in combination with a short code, a keyword is a word that differentiates your mobile campaign form others on the same short code. Your keyword and short code combination allows mobile phone users to make a donation to your mobile donation campaign. For example, an organization called Clean Water Planet might choose the keyword WATER. In order to make a donation mobile phone users would send the word WATER as the body of his or her text message to the HYPERLINK "http://mgive.com/Shortcode-90999.aspx" short code 90999.

What is SMS or Text Messaging? SMS stands for Short Message Service, commonly known to consumers as text messaging. The protocol is designed to send text messages to and from mobile phones. The message may be up to 160 characters in length including spaces. Almost 100% of today’s phones can send and receive text messages!

Why is the check I receive from The mGive Foundation? The Foundation (TMF) is a separate 501c3 responsible for certifying nonprofits wishing to participate in a mobile donation program, managing the wireless industry's Mobile Giving Standards and Best Practices and insuring compliance with Federal and State Regulations.

How are Mobile Giving accounts managed? Every client works closely with an account manager who will help with the launch and management of every aspect of your mobile strategy. We'll assist you with anything you might need! We're here to show the way!

What type of customization do you offer for the online widget? Our customizable Flash donation widgets allow you to upload an image and call to action copy unique to your campaign. Every donation campaign has its own widget and each is customizable in these regards. Feel free to post these widgets on your website, blogs, Social Networks and anywhere else you can.

Mobile Marketing

Do you have more information on success rates of text donation campaigns? Yes! We're always working with our clients to improve their outreach efforts, increase their donations and foster their relationships with new donors. You can visit our campaigns and links to  Case Studies.

Can my organization create a personalized "Thank-You" message for our donors? The first two messages any new mobile donor receives are highly regulated and this not customizable. However nonprofits have the ability to customize the "Notification Message" sent out to every donor 1-7 days after their donation is made. Our most successful clients utilize this message to drive donors to other opportunities of involvement both via mobile and online.

Can my company create separate mobile “subscription” lists? Yes, but it would require an opt-in keyword separate from your donation keyword.

How can my organization acquire mobile numbers to which we can send text messages? The great thing about mobile is that there is no spam. You cannot buy a list of mobile numbers to begin your database and that's a good thing. The best (and only) way to build your mobile database is by getting your mobile campaigns created and promoted... EVERYWHERE! The mobile phone users who then interact with you have taken the steps necessary to ask (and then confirm) that you send them information on their most personal of communication devices, thereby creating what many of our clients find to be the strongest affinity database they have.

Can my organization use a short code for purposes other than collecting donations,
such as sending content out to subscribers? Is there an additional cost to do this? The short codes currently approved and operating within the Mobile Giving channel are only provisioned for two types of campaigns: 1) Standard Rate (Free) SMS subscriptions 2) Premium ($5 & $10) Mobile Donations. Other types of sms campaigns (polls, sweepstakes, trivia, content delivery, etc) are not allowed on these shortcodes.

Who is your target audience for collecting mobile donations? Mobile Giving is about new donors! People who might otherwise never engage with your organization now have the opportunity not only to interact with you but also give to your organization. Mobile Giving allows you to reach a larger, more diverse audience and offer them the opportunity to act quickly, easily and on their terms. Typically, commercial mobile participation rates are highest among younger, urban & minority populations (though that curve is flattening). We see similar demographics within the Mobile Giving Channel and one would be hard pressed to find a more underrepresented crowd in your donor pool than the typical mobile participant. Text-a-Day is the perfect way to reach this new,untouched audience!

NPO Approvals

Are your services extended to nonprofit 501c(10) organizations? At this time only 501C3 organizations have been cleared to use the mobile giving channel. Stay tuned for updates in the near future.

Do you have information about mobile fundraising for nonprofits that are not 501c(3) status? At this time only 501C3 organization have been cleared to use the mobile giving channel. We do offer mobile services to nonprofit organizations outside of donations.

My organization does not meet the wireless industry’s annual revenue requirement for
carrier billing programs, are there any exceptions for smaller nonprofits? Contact your account rep for alternative options using credit card billing via the mobile phone.

My company is awaiting 501C3 approval by the IRS. Is there anything can we do to
accept mobile donations in the mean time? You must be a 501C3 in good standing for at least one year to collect mobile donations. That said, there are ways to use the mobile channel to start building an opt-in list of mobile supporters via standard rate (non-donation) mobile campaigns. Build your mobile list as you build your email list. It’s a great way to get time-sensitive messages to your supporters in an easy and non-intrusive way. We also provide an alternative mobile credit card collection system that does not require approval from TMF. Learn more.

Info Alerts

How much does this service cost? The service is free except for any message and data fees applied by your wireless carrier.

How can I sign up for this service? Text message the keyword for your desired info alert to the number 37284. You will receive a confirmation message and you will begin receiving periodic informational text messages! Its that simple.

What categories of informational messages do you offer? Our most popular categories are:
- Earth911 Environmental tips from Earth911.org (text EARTH911 to 37284)

Does this service work with any cellular service? Currently we subscribe to the following service providers: Alltel, AT&T Mobility, Boost, Cingular, Dobson, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Telus, Verizon Wireless, and Virgin Mobile.

How do I stop receiving text messages? From your wireless phone, Text STOP to 37284 or simply reply to one of the informational messages with the word STOP and your messages will discontinue.

How can I get technical assistance from my cellular phone for the service? From your wireless phone, Text HELP to 37284 or simply reply to one of the informational messages with the word HELP and help is on the way!

What is your privacy policy? Our privacy policy is found at textaday.com/privacy-policy.

Daily Text Alerts

How much does this service cost? You will be billed $4.99 per month or $9.99 per month directly on your wireless bill. Text "HELP" to 37284 to find exact pricing for your message category

How can I sign up for this service? Text messaging the keyword for your desired category to the number 37284. You will receive a message asking you to confirm your request to receive a daily message. Once you receive this message, reply with the word YES, and you will begin receiving daily text messages! Its that simple.

What categories of daily messages do you offer? Our most popular categories are:
- Creflo Dollar Ministries Word On The Go ($4.99 per month, text WOTG to 37284)
- Green Tips from Earth911.org ($9.99 per month, text GREEN to 37284)
- Daily Messages from Pastor Jamal Bryant ($4.99 per month, text JAMAL to 37284)

Does this service work with any cellular service? Currently we subscribe to the following service providers: Alltel, AT&T Mobility, Boost, Cingular, Dobson, Roger, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Telus, and Virgin Mobile.

How do I stop receiving text messages and discontinue billing? From your wireless phone, Text STOP to 37284 or simply reply to one of the daily messages with the word STOP and your daily messages will discontinue within two business days.

How can I get technical assistance from my cellular phone for the service? From your wireless phone, Text HELP to 37284 or simply reply to one of the daily messages with the word HELP and help is on the way!

What is your privacy policy? Our privacy policy is found at textaday.com/privacy-policy.