General
What is SMS or text messaging?
SMS stands for Short Message Service, commonly know to consumers as text messaging.
The protocol is designed to send text messages to and from mobile phones. The messages
may be up to 160 characters in length including spaces. Almost 100% of today’s phones
can send and receive text messages!
What is a short code?
Similar to a telephone number, short codes are special 5 or 6 digit codes used to
route text messages from mobile phones to interactive mobile messaging applications,
typically in combination with a keyword. They are designed to be shorter to read
and easier to remember than normal telephone numbers. Short codes also allow for
billing and other unique forms of interaction via the mobile phone such as television
voting, ordering ringtones, charity donations and mobile chat services. mGive mobile
donation campaigns use the short code 90999.
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 mGive 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 short code 90999.
mGive Accounts & Campaigns
Does mGive work on all wireless carriers?
mGive works on most major carriers in the United States. Participating carriers:
Alltel, AT&T, Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless.
How do I track the number of donations received?
Just login to mGive.com to see the number of transactions, funds collected, and
the number of donors.
Why can it take a few days for my account to be activated?
It’s very important that we ensure each mGive account has proper 501c3 status and
is in compliance with Federal and Sate laws. Our goal is activate all new mGive
accounts within 24 hours, though this can take up to a few days to complete. As
soon as your mGive account has been activate we’ll send you an email notification.
Why is there a $5.00 per donation/transaction limit?
The $5.00 limit is due to current wireless carrier and industry regulations. Fortunately
donors can text in multiple times to the same campaign! We're working with industry
leaders to get the limit increased, so check back often and read our blog for updates.
How should I promote the mobile Giving Program?
It’s all about inserting your keyword and short code call-to-action in as many places
as possible i.e. "Text GIVE to 90999 to donate $5.00!" As an mGive customer
we will provide you with a marketing tool kit to help make your mobile donation
program as successful as possible. You can add a request for mobile donations almost
anywhere.
- Television or radio ads or PSAs
- Direct mailers
- Press releases
- E-mail signatures
- Business cards
- T-shirts
- Websites
- Print
- Outdoor
- Public address announcements at live events
Pricing and Payouts
How does my organization receive the funds collected as a result of mobile donations?
As soon as a donor responds to your call-to-action with your keyword and short code
the charge is automatically added to the donor’s mobile phone bill and is identified
on a separate line item as a donation. Each donation is collected by the participating
wireless carrier when the mobile donor pays his or her monthly mobile phone bill.
mGive processes the donations collected by each carrier and your organization receives
one monthly check representing net proceeds from all carriers.
Why is the check I receive from The Mobile Giving Foundation?
The Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF) 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 is my organization billed by mGive?
mGive accepts payment for services rendered by major credit card.
What fees are associated with my mGive account and mobile donation campaign?
Charges include a one-time application fee of $100 and a monthly mGive subscription
fee. Transaction fees include a $0.50 Mobile Giving Foundation transaction
charge and a $0.25 mGive transaction charge for each $5.00 gross donation collected
and processed. mGive fees are billed to your credit card on a monthly basis and
Mobile Giving Foundation fees are deducted from your gross donation total.
How long does it take for my organization to receive funds collected from mobile
donations?
60-90 days.
Is there any charge to the my organization for each text message sent or received
within a mobile donation transaction?
No. There is no charge to your organization for text messages (sent or received)
required to complete a basic mobile donation.
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.