Author:
Stephen Joos, February 3rd, 2010
mGive’s platform processes more than $37 million for Haiti in three weeks
In the three weeks since the earthquake in Haiti, people all over the world have stepped up to help those in need in Haiti. From children donating their allowance to the Red Cross to celebrities answering the phones during MTV’s “Hope for Haiti” telethon and the millions of people who have texted donations for the first time ever- everyone has come together to help in whatever way they can.
Given the flurry of activity at mGive’s office in Denver, the moments we pause to reflect on what’s been accomplished are far and few between. We’ve been humbled by the response, and grateful for our own opportunity to make a difference. mGive’s platform alone has processed more than $37 million in text message donations for Haiti. During MTV’s “Hope for Haiti” telethon we processed tens of thousands of donations per minute. We will be sharing exact text donation numbers and breakdowns from the MTV telethon soon.
From the moment mGive’s founder received a call from the State Department requesting help after the earthquake in Haiti, mGive’s team has been working night and day on the donation effort for Haiti; making sure that donations were processed seamlessly, working with the carriers to expedite payments to the Red Cross, purchasing new servers and ramping up to handle the huge donation volumes during MTV’s telethon. Most importantly, we’ve made sure that every dollar raised for through mGive’s text donation platform goes directly to the Red Cross and the other charities for relief in Haiti.
It’s well worth taking a moment to thank the carriers for their help and willingness to waive fees so that every dollar gets to the charities, to thank the charities who are working tirelessly to get fresh water, shelter, food and medical care to those on the ground in Haiti, to thank all those who have generously contributed what they could, and finally to thank our team for their dedication and providing a positive experience for the millions of first-time mobile donors.
mGive was founded with the belief that the mobile phone could be a powerful force for social good. To all those who have donated, thank you for showing the world what’s possible.
Categories: mGive Blog Tags: case study, denver, haiti, hope for haiti, mgive, mGiving, mobile accord, mobile donations, mobile giving, MTV, red cross, sms donations, state department, telethon, text donation, Text Message Donation | 
1 comment
Author:
Lori, January 22nd, 2010
We have had a few questions come in asking why the Hope For Haiti Now telethon is promoting text GIVE to 50555 to donate $10, rather than text HAITI to 90999. This particular telethon is through the Entertainment Industry Foundation and benefits several charities that are helping bring relief to Haiti, whereas the HAITI to 90999 campaign supports the Red Cross only.
Both campaigns are legitimate and donations will go to help the people of Haiti. So if you have already reached your donation cap on the 90999 campaign, please text GIVE to 50555 to donate more. Every dollar helps. Let’s show the people of Haiti how much we care!
Categories: mGive Blog Tags: 50555, 90999, donate via text, entertainment industry foundation, give to 50555, haiti, hope for haiti, hope for haiti now, mgive, mobile accord, mobile donations, mobile giving, Text Donations | 26 comments
Author:
Lori, January 19th, 2010
Small Donations Make Big Impact through mGive: Mobile Phone Subscribers Pledge More than $24 million for Red Cross to Help Haitian Earthquake Victims
mGive’s Mobile Giving Platform Enables Donors to Make a Difference by Punching a Few Buttons on Their Cell phones
DENVER, Colo., January 19, 2010 – Nearly 2.5 million people have texted $10 pledges for Haitian relief to the American Red Cross in seven days, the largest number ever to take action for a mobile giving campaign. Mobile pledges now total about 25 percent of all Red Cross donations for Haiti. The response to the disaster in Haiti has underscored the effectiveness of the mobile phone as a force for social good worldwide.
“People are increasingly doing more than just talking on their mobile phones,” said Mobile Accord Chairman James Eberhard. “Since it is one of the few items people always carry with them, the power of mobile giving is hard to overestimate.”
100 percent of the funds raised using Mobile Accord’s mGive platform will go to the Red Cross to help those hit by this natural disaster. All wireless carriers partnering with mGive donate network and billing services and mGive waived monthly fees to the Red Cross. In addition, mGive is working with wireless carriers which have agreed to accelerate payments to the Red Cross.
“The devastation in Haiti motivated millions of Americans to make a difference in the lives of the earthquake victims,” said Roger Lowe of the American Red Cross. “mGive’s technology now makes it easy for people to respond to human suffering by simply pressing a few buttons on their mobile phone. Raising this amount of money — $10 at a time – is a true testament to the compassion and generosity of the American people.”
During peak giving periods, the mGive platform processed more than $10,000 in text pledges per minute. The mGive platform, which allows users to easily give $10 to the Red Cross Haiti relief fund, has been the standard for mobile giving since 2008. Since that time, the mGive platform processed, reported, and audited all mobile donations in the US and is the platform of choice for high-volume campaigns like fundraising for the current crisis in Haiti.
For those who want to donate to the Red Cross effort in Haiti, a simple text message contributes $10 to the relief effort, billed to the donor’s mobile bill. How to contribute:
Text the word HAITI to 90999 to give $10.
When prompted, reply with YES to confirm your one-time gift.
The $10 one-time donation will appear on your next mobile bill
Receipts can be printed at mGive.org/receipt
Mobile Accord’s mGive service enables charities to collect donations and manage campaigns via mobile phones. Other charities which are raising funds for Haiti and are supported by the mGive platform include:
ACLJ – Text ACLJ to 90999 to give $10
Compassion International – Text DISASTER to 90999 to give $10
Family Health International – Text FHI to 90999 to give $5
FAMU – Text RELIEF to 50555 to give $5
Florida Hospital – Text MISSION to 90999 to give $5
Friends of the World Food Program – Text FRIENDS to 90999 to give $5
Leon H. Sullivan Foundation – Text SUMMIT to 90999 to give $5
Rotary Foundation – Text ROTARY to 90999 to give $5
United Nations Foundation – Text CERF to 90999 to give $5
United Way – Text HAITI to 864833 to give $5
Learn more: www.mGive.com
About mGive and Mobile Accord
Mobile Accord is the innovator and leader in mobile technology for nonprofit organizations, powering mobile donations in the United States. Founded in 2005, Mobile Accord was the first company in the U.S. to offer mobile tools specifically built for nonprofit organizations. Mobile Accord serves more than 200 leading U.S. philanthropic organizations and has raised more 95% of all funds raised via mobile giving. The mGive Foundation is the charitable partner of Mobile Accord.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jody Peake OnPR for mGive Office: 503-802-4410 Mobile: 503-997-3907 Email: jodyp@onpr.com
Categories: Press Releases Tags: 90999, cell phone giving, earthquake, earthquake relief, haiti, haiti to 90999, mgive, mgive press release, mobile accord, mobile giving, red cross, text to donate, text to give | 2 comments
Author:
Lori, January 18th, 2010
With so much misery in Haiti, we’re humbled to be part of one of the few positive stories to emerge from the devastation. mGive continues to be in the news constantly, thanks to the generosity of cell phone users and their desire to help. Our CEO, Tony Aiello, was recently on CNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show (with a follow-up story here), NPR’s All Things Considered, and Montel Williams’ Air America show to discuss the emergence and success of text donations. The New York Times, Time magazine, and a vast array of other media outlets are also reporting on the subject. You can also tune in tonight to hear Tony on PBS Newshour with Jim Lehrer and Larry King Live will have a special two-hour show focused on Haiti.
More coverage means more donations for disaster relief, so we’re happy that mGive is remaining in the public eye. We have raised over $21 million at this point, and with your help we hope to hit $30 million in the next few days.
Categories: mGive Blog Tags: 90999, donate sms, haiti, mgive, mobile accord, Mobile Donation, mobile donations, mobile fund raising, mobile fundraising, mobile giving, non profit donations, red cross, sms donations, text donation, Text Donations, Text Message Donation, Text Message Donations, text to give | No comments
Author:
Lori, January 17th, 2010
It’s nearly 2:00 in the morning here in Denver, and here I am…wide awake. Mind racing.
The last several days have been almost surreal. One day it is business as usual, the next morning we realize everything has changed. It now seems that nearly everyone knows who we are – maybe not as “mGive” but as the “text HAITI to 90999 people.” The days have been a swirl of activity. Reporters and camera equipment coming in and out of our office; people racing around to answer the phones, checks systems, and update everyone on donation totals; every person doing their part to make sure that we are able to help our clients bring in as many text donations as possible.
I personally have a hard time watching the news and seeing the utter devastation in Haiti. It truly is heartbreaking. But knowing that I am involved with something that may help bring just the tiniest bit of relief to those grief-stricken people is humbling. I think everyone at mGive feels the same way – thankful and honored to be a part of this. And while this particular “text HAITI to 90999” donation campaign is known across the globe, we have been helping various non-profit clients like this for two years now, who in turn help feed hungry children, educate people about heart disease and cancer, save animals, or give a homeless person a place to sleep. So if there is a particular non-profit organization you like to support, check with them to see if there is a way to donate via text and continue to help make a difference!
As for me, it is time to go back to bed. Good night all. Thanks for your support!
Categories: mGive Blog Tags: 90999, charitable donations, donations, haiti, mgive, mobile donations, mobile giving, red cross, text 90999, Text Donations, text haiti, text to give | 3 comments
Author:
Lori, January 15th, 2010
mGive has helped raise more than $8.5 million dollars for the Red Cross International Response Fund in the last 3 days! All from individual $10 text donations. Amazing! Thanks for your support and generosity! Text HAITI to 90999 to have a $10 donation added to your phone bill. Get a receipt for your donation by clicking here.
To see a map of how your state is doing click here.
Categories: mGive Blog Tags: 90999, cell phone donations, earthquake relief, haiti, international relief, mgive, mobile donations, mobile giving, mobile giving stats, red cross, text donation, text to give | 3 comments
