After the initial rush in short code donations for Haiti relief, the pace of mobile giving has fallen off a bit, but contributions were still strong throughout the week. The Mobile Giving Foundation reported later yesterday it has processed $10 million in new SMS pledges since Monday, for a total of more than $30 million since the earthquake first devastated Port-au-Prince last week.
The Mobile Giving Foundation is one of two non-profits–the other being mGive–that brokers charitable donations via text message in the US, so the overall numbers for Haiti mobile contributions is much higher. So far, though, Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ, NYSE:VOD) alone has reported donations from more than 762,000 subscribers contributing $7.82 million to a single relief organization, the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is by far the biggest benefactor of the short code giving surge, but dozens of other non-profits have received millions through text also.
“Raising this amount of money $10 at a time is a true testament to the American spirit,” Jeffrey Towers, American Red Cross chief development officer, said in a statement. “The success of the mobile campaign shows the powerful impact and opportunity this channel can have on fundraising. The needs in Haiti are tremendous and we want to thank the people who continue to donate and help the American Red Cross meet that need.”
Verizon Wireless also reported that it has made its second lump advance to the Red Cross–this one for $4.84 million–in an effort to bypass the usual premium SMS settlement process and put the funds into the relief agency’s hands as quickly as possible. Originally developed as way of paying for content and downloads, short code payments were never designed as a means for immediate transactions. Typically operators bill their customers for the transaction at the end of the month, and once the bills are paid the funds are then paid out to the recipient, whether charity or developer. Due to the immediate need for the relief dollars though, VZW and other operators have begun advancing the funds directly to the Red Cross.
The following is an updated list of relief organizations that are accepting Haiti relief contributions via SMS:
In the US:
- Text the word “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10 On behalf of the American Red Cross in the U.S.
- Text the workd “HAITI” to 864833 to donate $5 On behalf of the United Way
- Text the word “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5, or text the word “Yele10” or “YeleTen” to 501501 to donate $10 On behalf of the Yéle Foundation, the leading contributor to rebuilding Haiti founded by Wyclef Jean
- Text the word “QUAKE” to 20222 to donate $10 On behalf of The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
- Text the word “Haiti” to 20222 to donate $10 On behalf of the Clinton Foundation Haiti Relief Fund
- Text the word “Haiti” to 52000 to donate $10 On behalf of the Salvation Army
- Text the word “Hope10” or “UNICEF” to 20222 to donate $10 On behalf of UNICEF
- Text the word “Haiti” to 40579 to donate $10 On behalf of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB)
- Text the word “Save” or “Safe” to 20222 to donate $10 On behalf of Save the Children Federation, Inc.
- Text the word “Give” or “World” to 20222 to donate $10 On behalf of World Vision Inc.
- Text the word “Haiti” to 85944 to donate $10 On behalf of the International Medical Corps
- Text the word “Haiti” to 25383 to donate $5 On behalf of the International Rescue Committee
- Text the word “Oxfam” to 25383 to donate $10 On behalf of Oxfam America, Inc.
- Text the word “PP” to 25383 to donate $10 On behalf of Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc. (CARE)
- Text the word “Americares” to 25383 to donate $10 On behalf of Americares, Inc.
- Text the word “Habitat” to 25383 to donate $10 On behalf of Habitat for Humanity
- Text the word “Give” to 25383 to donate $10 On behalf of the MTV telethon
- Text the word “AJWS” to 25383 to donate $10 On behalf of the American Jewish World Service
- Text the word “LWR” to 40579 to donate $10 On behalf of Lutheran World Relief
In Canada:
- Text the word “Haiti” to 30333 to donate $5 on behalf of the Plan Canada
- Text the word “Hope” or “Monde” to 45678 to donate $5 on behalf of World Vision Canada
- Text the word “CAHAITI” to 20222 to donate $5 on behalf of the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative
- Text the word “Haiti” to 45678 on behalf of the Salvation Army in Canada
With the kind of penetration mobiles enjoy these days such figures were more or less expected