Technology Helping in Times of Crisis Part 1 of 3: Mobile Giving Takes a Leap Forward
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a three part series highlighting how modern technology and networked communications are helping in times of crisis. The first part highlights the new trend and success of mobile giving, examining how millions of dollars are being raised simply by texting “Haiti” to 90999. The second part will focus on a group of high-tech programmers and managers who joined together to give technical support to relief organizations and created some helpful programs along the way. will show the plight of a man who was stuck in the rubble in Haiti and used his iPhone to help treat his injuries and keep himself alive while he waited to be rescued.
By anyone’s standards Haiti is in desperate need of assistance as it recovers from its most destructive natural disaster in over 200 years. Catastrophic death and destruction followed the massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. By some accounts 90% of the buildings in Haiti have been destroyed, the death toll is in the hundreds of thousands of people, and those who did survive are threatened by disease, starvation and lack of clean water. But out of devastation comes compassion, kindness, and hope as the international community joins together to help the small Caribbean nation recover from its tragedy.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” - Leo Buscaglia
Text "HAITI" to 90999 to Donate $10 to the Red Cross
There are a few simple rules when it comes to fundraising: 1) make it as easy as possible for someone to donate and 2) people are more likely to give if it is for a specific cause. The text “Haiti” campaign scores a perfect 10 on both of these criteria. By using the text system the Red Cross eliminates the need for a credit card, donation form, computer, allows the donor to donate anywhere anytime, and all without the overhead cost of an operator. It is perfect in its simplicity.
Setting up for Success
Within hours of the earthquake in Haiti, Colorado native, James Eberhard, was working with the U.S. Department of State to get the mobile giving site up and running. It was complete within two hours and the State Department told media outlets that people could donate to relief efforts by texting “Haiti” to 90999. News media responded by broadcasting the information to their audiences and within two days more than $4 million dollars had been raised via text messaging. To put this feat in context, prior to the Haitian relief campaign the American Red Cross’ record for raising money via texts was $200,000, which occurred during the 2008 hurricane season. By contrast it took almost two weeks to launch traditional fundraising efforts for Haitian relief.
The Text Message Campaign “Game Changing” Moment
As of Monday, January 25, 2010 the Red Cross has raised more than $29 million via its text campaign. That means that more than 2.9 million “Haiti” texts have been sent from everyday people. This by no means is a substitute for volunteers of all types, large donations, telethon drives, and other types of relief efforts, but it does prove that micro-donations via text messaging is a viable solution to quickly jump start relief efforts and capture an audience that otherwise might not give.
To learn more about mobile giving, and other organizations you can donate to, please visit the mGive Website at: http://mgive.com/Partners.aspx
Source: http://www.denverpost.com/news/frontpage/ci_14256405
Please check back on Monday, February 1, 2010 for Part 2 of this series.