Many of you are not sure how exactly to tackle mobile to best help your cause. Understandable. Seems like up until 2012, all we heard about was Text2Give. Today there is mobile web, mobile apps,mobile web apps, SMS, mobile marketing – before anything it’s best to have a mobile strategy because what mobile solution is best for one nonprofit likely isn’t for another.
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I’ve been researching on and educating nonprofits since 2009 on how mobile technology can positively impact their missions. When I launched iHeartCharity and released the mobile app, Tap-N-Give (since purchased) – smartphones were considered a luxury item.
Today:
- nearly 50% of all US adults own a Smartphone
- over 70% of those under 44 own one –
- 20% Americans bought something with their phone in 2011
All these figures continue to grow as mobile technology becomes cheaper & faster. Mobile is here now. Here for good. Yet, as a recent paper published by Zero Divide points out, funding of mobile strategy or mobile technology in our US nonprofit sector is severely lacking. Why?
Most holding purse-strings still think mobile is synonymous with fundraising when it comes to nonprofits.
1. An enormous misconception? “Mobile = Text2Give”
Yes, Text2Give and SMS can be effective fundraising or engagement tools – for certain audiences – under certain circumstances. But it’s NOT the holy grail – it’s NOT for about 97% of US nonprofits. Period.
2. Truth: Mobile technology starts with engagement, ends with giving.
Yet, I bet if you asked most nonprofit board members or Executive Directors (those who allocate and vote on budget), they’d say mobile would be best used for fundraising. YES, fundraising via mobile is growing. Best uses are when an online platform is extended to mobile.
3. Mobile is for Change-Makers.
Mobile technology and marketing is more than just donations. Under-served communities, minorities and youth are all buying smartphones or other web-enabled mobile devices faster than the average American. One bill = one device that does everything. Such adoption and usage means mobile is where program delivery must shift to – NOT desktop.
4. Mobile-specific program funding needs to open up now.
We need to educate our foundations, corporate partners and granting agencies to this need, otherwise resources are being mis-spent. Funders need to understand technology, particularly mobile technology is NOT all operational spend, it’s program spend too.
Until this starts to happen, Atlantic BT is offering 12 nonprofits FREE mobile strategy sessions. Our 25K “Gives Back” Mobile Grant Contest has received several submissions from across the Country.
There’s still 8 days left to hear from you. Be a change-maker. After all – isn’t that why you do what you do?
For your chance at a free strategy session and a shot at the 25K – enter now in a snap!
