Background

The Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF), headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, was founded in 2006 by veterans of the wireless industry who wanted to harness the immense power of wireless communications to empower non-profit organizations. The concept was simple: give the 250 million American wireless users a single "Mobile Giving Channel" over which they could receive and respond to appeals from worthy causes.

Specifically, MGF's founders envisioned themselves as the organizational element that would permit charitable giving over the networks of US wireless carriers. Their goals were to develop and manage carrier standards for participation; ensure compliance with all laws and regulations concerning charitable giving; certify the participation of Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) and their campaigns; manage message delivery and billing solutions across all carriers; and act as a billing settlement and records clearinghouse between carriers and participating charities.

Since its launch, MGF has achieved 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt status, registered in all states to undertake charitable solicitations, enlisted numerous wireless industry participants, established relationships with major NPOs and won the support of wireless industry associations.


The Opportunity for a Mobile Giving Channel

Charitable giving in the US amounts to almost $300 billion a year, with 76% of that coming from individuals. Given the almost total saturation of the US population by wireless devices (250 million subscribers), and the exponential rise of text messaging (used by 68% of 18-24 year-olds, 37% of 35-44 year-olds and 14% of those over 65), it is easy to see how development of a "Mobile Giving Channel" could vastly increase the pool of charitable donors.

The greatest attribute of mobile giving is immediacy. Alerted to a need either through a message received on a mobile device or through an outside medium such as TV, mobile users can quickly and easily respond. No need to write a check, fill out a form or call someone, just text a reply and the giving cycle is complete. The time period from notification to contribution can be seconds rather than days, weeks or months. This immediacy and ease of use empowers NPOs to develop interactive applications that will engage a new class of donors. By providing one access point to all carriers, the MGF gives NPOs the power to utilize wireless ubiquity without complexity.


MGF Management Team

The MGF was founded by Jim Manis, a founder of mobile content aggregator M-Qube (sold to Verisign), who was instrumental in launching some of the industry's first "text to give" campaigns following Hurricane Katrina and the Indonesian tsunami. Jim has assembled a core group of wireless and foundation experts with experience in messaging infrastructure, campaign and program implementation and charitable organizations. The MGF plans to hire permanent staff after a fundraising program. The MGF has recruited a wide range of wireless and foundation experts to serve as advisors. These include:

How MGF Works

We are the glue between a charitable giving campaign, the wireless industry and the 250 million wireless users in the US. We process applications from NPOs and develop campaigns in conjunction with established mobile marketing firms. Our messaging platform is utilized by wireless carriers through their SMS service centers. 100 % of funds collected by carriers are passed through to the MGF; we deduct messaging and short-code costs and provide NPOs 90-95% of funds collected, wired to NPOs within 90 days of campaign closure.

Proof of Concept

Utilizing a single, 10-second spot aired during this year's Super Bowl game in Arizona, United Way pronounced an anti-childhood obesity campaign "profoundly successful" and plans to rapidly expand its use of the Mobile Giving Channel. T-Mobile USA, Sprint, AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless participated in this initial venture, and more carriers have committed to participate in future campaigns.

The MGF is working with over 20 large national charities through partner relationships with mobile marketing firms to launch mobile giving programs.

MGF Funding

To date, the MGF has been self-funded by its founders. We have launched our Founders Capital Campaign that is planned to raise $2 million to cover initial start-up expenses during the first two years including technology acquisition and hiring permanent staff. QUALCOMM has become a founding sponsor along with 1024 Wireless Services, Acta Wireless, Hook Mobile, Mobile Accord, and VeriSign. Plans call for the MGF to be self-sustainable once it achieves scale. The existing founding management team, all volunteers, will remain on-board until sufficient staff is retained.