Text-to-Give Fundraising Guide: How to Drive Mobile Giving
Fundraising is more digital, dynamic, and donor-driven than ever before. Nonprofits are adapting their strategies to keep up with evolving technology — and to stand out in a crowded giving landscape, embracing tools that simplify engagement and make giving effortless is key.
One of the most effective ways to do this is through text messaging. Text-to-give (also referred to as text giving, text-to-donate, and Text2Give®) empowers supporters to donate directly from their phones. It’s a fast, convenient, and familiar way to give, making it easier than ever for supporters to donate to their favorite nonprofits, even amid life’s busiest moments.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how text-to-give works, the tools that power it, and real ways fundraisers are putting it into action. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What is Text-to-Give Fundraising?
- How Does Text-to-Give Work?
- How Do Organizations Use Text-to-Give?
- Benefits of Text-to-Give Campaigns
- Common Text-to-Give Myths – Debunked!
- How to Set Up Text Donations
- Text-to-Give Fundraising Best Practices
- Get Started with OneCause Text2Give®
- FAQs About Text-to-Give Fundraising
What is Text-to-Give Fundraising?
Text-to-give is a mobile fundraising strategy that allows supporters to donate to a nonprofit by sending a text message. It’s designed for convenience – allowing supporters to give at any time, anywhere, using a device they are sure to have on hand.
Donors simply text a unique keyword to a designated short code, receive a secure donation link, and complete their gift in minutes. This experience removes barriers to giving, making it easy for supporters to act on inspiration in the moment and give to causes they care about.
How Does Text-to-Give Work?
1. Donors Text a Keyword
Donors initiate the text-to-give transaction by texting your nonprofit’s unique keyword (like “DONATE”) to a short code (a shortened phone number).
2. They Receive a Link
The donor will instantly receive a text containing a link to a mobile-friendly, branded donation page tied to your campaign. From there, they can choose their donation amount and enter payment information.
3. Easily Make a Donation
Once the donation form is complete, all that’s left is to submit their donation. Afterward, they’ll automatically receive a confirmation email with a donation receipt. Your team can create a custom follow-up to thank your supporter personally and build long-term loyalty.
It’s that simple!
How Do Organizations Use Text-to-Give?
Text-to-give makes donating easy and engaging for a variety of fundraisers. That’s why nonprofits use text-to-give to power campaigns, events, live appeals, and even day-to-day fundraising.
Here are a few common ways it’s put into action:
- Auctions: Highlight your text-to-give keyword on screens during bidding, live appeals, or “Fund-A-Need” moments to drive instant donations.
- Events: Use signage with your keyword throughout your gala venue or golf course to keep participants engaged and focused on your mission.
- Giving Days & Awareness Campaigns: Feature the text-to-give option prominently to boost donations during time-sensitive campaigns.
- Disaster Relief: Make it easy for supporters to respond quickly when urgent needs arise.
- Church Services: Share keywords on screens or in bulletins to simplify tithing and special offerings.
Whether you’re engaging attendees at a gala, inspiring donors during an awareness day, or supporting an urgent cause, text giving provides a direct, flexible way to connect with supporters.
Benefits of Text-to-Give Campaigns
Text-to-give campaigns offer more than just a quick way for supporters to donate – they also enhance engagement, streamline operations, and help nonprofits connect with donors in meaningful ways. We’ve outlined the key benefits that make text-to-give a powerful addition to any fundraising strategy:
Benefits
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Convenience | With just a few clicks, supporters can complete a donation from their phones, making it simple for them to act on inspiration and increasing the likelihood of contributions. |
| Meet Donors Where They Are | Text messaging reaches donors where they already are – on a device they use every day. This channel is intuitive, allowing supporters to start giving almost immediately. |
| Give From Anywhere | Donors don’t need a computer, a check, or even to attend an event to contribute. They can give instantly from anywhere, making it more likely they’ll follow through the moment they’re called to give. |
| Collect Funds Quickly | Text-to-give is just as convenient for nonprofits as it is for donors. Funds are often deposited directly into your account, letting your organization access and use donations faster to make an immediate impact. |
| Seamless Data Capture | Capture important donor data, such as names, payment information, and other insights. You can then integrate your text-to-give software with your CRM, so all donor data you collect is automatically recorded in donor profiles for future reference. |
| Unique Engagement Opportunity | Text-to-give is a powerful engagement tool, allowing nonprofits to reach donors where they are and create compelling appeals that drive immediate action, enhancing both interaction and giving. |
Common Text-to-Give Myths—Debunked!
Myth #1: Text Giving Is Expensive
THE MYTH
Many organizations hesitate to adopt text-to-give due to misconceptions about cost. They worry about expensive short codes, software fees, payment processing, and other potential expenses.
THE TRUTH
Although some fundraising tools can be expensive, text-to-give software is generally quite affordable.
Many vendors offer tiered pricing to fit different budgets – for instance, OneCause offers Text2Give® starting at just $200 upfront.
Myth #2: Only Younger Donors Will Use Text-to-Give
THE MYTH
Text giving is a newer, tech-forward donation channel, and some organizations hesitate because they assume only younger donors will use it. Nonprofits with older donor bases may worry that it won’t be a worthwhile investment.
THE TRUTH
Surprisingly, the primary text-to-give demographic isn’t the younger generations – it’s typically adults in their early 50s, often college-educated. With smartphones common across all age groups, text giving is easy, convenient, and accessible for the majority of donors, regardless of age.
Myth #3: The Funds Will Take Months to Hit Your Nonprofit’s Account
THE MYTH
In the past, many text-to-give services charged donations through phone bills, which could delay funds for 90 days or more. Because of this, some organizations still worry that collecting donations via text will take weeks or even months to reach their accounts.
THE TRUTH
As text-to-give has evolved, most vendors have modernized how donations are processed. Rather than billing donors through their phone accounts, many services now deposit funds directly into the nonprofit’s bank account. This speeds up access to donations.
For example, with OneCause Text2Give®, funds can arrive in as little as two days after a donation is made.
Myth #4: Your Organization Will Have to Split the Proceeds with Cell Service Providers
THE MYTH
When donations were added to donors’ phone bills, carriers often took a percentage as a convenience fee. This meant nonprofits received only a portion of the funds raised, creating an additional cost that discourages many organizations from adopting text-to-give.
THE TRUTH
Today, most text-to-give services deposit donations directly into the nonprofit’s bank account, bypassing the donor’s phone bill entirely. This means organizations keep more of the funds they raise, allowing them to focus on the impactful work they do.
Myth #5: There’s a Cap on How Much Donors Can Give
THE MYTH
In earlier forms of text-to-give, donations were often capped at $5-$10. Many organizations still believe that this is the case and don’t think it’s worthwhile to invest in a donation channel that can only be used for small amounts.
THE TRUTH
Now, most text-to-give services let you accept donations of any size.
You can customize the donation form with preset gift amounts or allow donors to enter their own, making it easy for everyone to give and allowing you to collect large gifts through text.
How to Set Up Text Donations
Excited to get started with text fundraising? Get set up in just four steps:
1. Choose a Text-to-Give Provider
Selecting the right text-to-give provider is the first step on your path to success. Beyond basic features, you’ll want to consider these factors when choosing a vendor:
- Price: Keep in mind that the price listed on the vendor’s website doesn’t always reflect the true cost. You may also need to consider payment processing fees, support costs, and other expenses.
- Security: Security is crucial when it comes to text-to-give. Work with a vendor who is PCI-compliant to ensure your donors’ information is safe and that you’re adhering to security standards.
- Expediency of funds: Choose a vendor that deposits donations directly into your bank account, ensuring a quick turnaround instead of routing funds through donors’ phone bills.
- Simplicity: Your text-to-give provider should offer a quick and easy setup. Additionally, to maximize conversions, you’ll want to find a service that minimizes the number of steps donors have to take to donate.
- Support: Work with a vendor that’s easy to reach and resolves technical issues quickly. Ask about what support resources they offer to troubleshoot independently.
When it comes to choosing a text-to-give provider, OneCause Text2Give® stands out for its ease of use, fast fund deposits, and award-winning features. With a team dedicated to your success and a platform built to maximize donor engagement, OneCause makes launching and managing text-to-give campaigns simple and effective for any nonprofit.
2. Set Up Your Short Code and Keyword
Once you have your text-to-give software, it’s time to select a short code and keyword so you’re able to direct donations correctly. Here’s a quick breakdown of these two text-to-give terms:
- Short code: A short code is a shortened phone number, usually 4-5 digits, that donors text to make a donation. Short codes are faster to type, reduce errors, and can handle a high volume of messages.
- Keyword: A keyword is a unique word selected by your organization that the donor texts to the short code phone number to indicate that they want to donate (for example, “DONATE”). Texting the keyword is what triggers the text-to-give process.
Work with your provider to select an available short code and keyword. They can guide you through best practices for choosing memorable, easy-to-type words that align with your campaign and organization.
3. Design a Text-to-Give Fundraising Strategy
Text-to-give should be used as an extension of your existing campaigns or donor outreach, so creating a strong text-to-give fundraising strategy is essential.
Before launching, take time to define clear goals. Are you using text-to-give to support a specific campaign, enhance a fundraising event, or create a new, ongoing donation stream? The answers to this question will help you determine the number of keywords you need and how you’ll use promotional resources.
Once you select your software and have worked through the logistics, follow these steps to ensure your strategy runs smoothly:
Before Launch
- Assign a point person: Designate someone to oversee text-to-give implementation, answer questions, and monitor performance.
- Test it out: Familiarize your team with the software and ensure everyone knows how it works.
- Create a promotion plan: Determine where and how you’ll promote your text-to-give keyword and prepare clear donor instructions.
During & After Your Campaign
- Make a live appeal: Walk donors through the text-to-give process during events, setting clear goals and showing impact in real time.
- Display progress: Use live scoreboards or fundraising thermometers to spark excitement and encourage more giving as text donations roll in.
- Encourage post-event or campaign giving: Keep text-to-give open after your campaign or event ends to capture additional donations.
Implementing a new donation channel takes time, testing, and adapting. With clear goals, consistent promotion, and an engaged point person overseeing your efforts, your organization can successfully integrate text-to-give into its broader fundraising strategy and unlock a powerful, modern way to connect with donors.
4. Monitor Your Fundraising Results
One of the biggest advantages of text-to-give is the ability to track engagement and fundraising in real time. You can analyze your activity, average gift amounts, campaign performance, and more to understand how your efforts are performing in real time.
Use this data to adjust your strategy. Highlight what’s working well, optimize messaging or timing, and experiment with new approaches to maximize donations and donor engagement. By continuously monitoring and optimizing, you can make every campaign more effective than the last.
Text-to-Give Fundraising Best Practices
Choose the Right Provider
Not all text-to-give software is created equal. Each provider offers different features, packages, and services, so take the time to research your options before committing. Choosing the right software ensures you have the tools, support, and flexibility needed to run successful campaigns.
Explain How It Works
Whenever you’re promoting text-to-give, provide clear, simple instructions on how to give. Creating a step-by-step cheat sheet or how-to guide can help keep donors engaged and confident in their donations.
Activate Supporters
For in-person events, think about how you can motivate and inspire your audience to give. Create engaging giving moments that tie directly to your mission, showing donors why their contributions matter. Consider having a few key donors give early to kickstart momentum, whether on a visible progress thermometer online or a display at your event. Real-time donor recognition encourages others to participate and keeps the energy high.
Connect Gifts to Results
Build trust by showing donors exactly how their gifts make a difference through impact statements. Explain how donations will be used and provide regular updates on your fundraising progress to reinforce the difference their support makes.
Promote Through All Channels
Market your text campaign across email, social media, your website, events, and even offline materials. The more visibility your campaign gets, the more donors will be aware of this convenient way to give.
Show Donor Appreciation
After a donation is made, don’t miss the chance to thank your donors. Create a “thank-you” page or confirmation message that communicates your gratitude, highlights how their gift will be used, and emphasizes the impact they’re making. Use images and messaging that strengthen your relationships, and make your supporters feel like the heroes they are.
Get Started with OneCause Text2Give®
OneCause Text2Give® takes fundraising to the next level, offering an intuitive experience for nonprofits and a sleek, mobile-friendly interface for donors.
Its standout features include:
- Customizable Donation Forms: Easily create mobile-responsive forms that match your branding and set gift amounts to encourage giving.
- Unique Keywords: Choose a keyword exclusive to your organization to ensure donations are directed to the right campaign and avoid confusion with other nonprofits.
- Automated Follow-Ups: Automatically send donation receipts, giving donors instant confirmation and reducing administrative work for your team.
- CRM Integration: Seamlessly connect donor data with your CRM, or easily export detailed reports to keep all supporter information organized and accessible.
- Secure Payment Processing: Accept all major credit and debit cards and digital wallets with PCI-compliant security, ensuring donor information is always safe.
OneCause combines simplicity, flexibility, and powerful features into a single platform designed specifically for nonprofits. From easy setup and branding options to robust donor engagement tools, it gives your organization everything you need to run successful text-to-give campaigns. With award-winning support and seamless integrations, OneCause ensures both your team and your supporters have the best possible experience.
With OneCause, launching a text-to-give campaign has never been easier. Request a demo today and let us help you launch campaigns that grow your mission and amplify your impact.
FAQs About Text-to-Give Fundraising
Wrapping Up
Text-to-give is more than just a donation channel. It’s a way to make giving effortless, engaging, and exciting for your supporters and your nonprofit. By embracing mobile giving and selecting a strong software like OneCause Text2Give®, your organization can create engaging text-to-give campaigns that drive real impact, one text at a time.
Want to keep learning? Check out these additional resources about nonprofit texting:
About the Author
Steve Lausch
Director, Product Marketing
Steve Lausch is the Director of Product Marketing at OneCause. He entered the nonprofit space in 2017, bringing 20 years of marketing experience in small and medium-sized technology businesses. He is passionate about unleashing good and equipping nonprofits to more effectively acquire, engage, and retain a giving and growing donor base to fuel their mission. Beyond his work with nonprofits at OneCause, Steve serves as the managing director of Indy Tech Gives, an annual giving...