The Mobile Frontier: Successful Strategies from Text-to-Give and Beyond

The Mobile Frontier: Convio Research Report—A Must Read For Nonprofit Leaders

Convio Common Ground, Co-Authored by Network for Good recently published: The Mobile Frontier: Successful Strategies from Text-to-Give and Beyond. This in depth research report identifies the growing trends of mobile technologies being adopted by Gen Y, Gen X, Boomers and Civics. The study also systematically identifies the steps needed for nonprofit causes to embrace and employ new mobile technologies to ensure return on investment and engagement.

Eventhough MobileCause is not explicitly mentioned in this report—We are recommending that all MobileCause clients and potential clients take 15 minutes and read this report for an up to date review of best mobile opportunities and integration practices.

Download the Full Research Report (right)

Report Highlights

“By sending just a couple of text messages per month, you can keep potential donors excited about your cause and keep your organization top of mind with supporters.”

“Ask supporters to photograph and report activities in their local neighborhood using Facebook, Twitter or other mobile-enabled social media.”

“Mobile is all about reaching the right people, in the right place, at the right time. So first, think about your audience and where, when and how you interact with these people.”

“Donations from mobile or added donations or purchases from other forms of outreach that will be driven by mobile reinforcement (better online giving results, better direct mail results, more event attendance).”

“One in ten US adults have made a charitable contribution using the text messaging feature on their mobile phone. That number is rapidly growing.”

Example: Planning a Mobile Campaign

Considerations: Making Mobile Happen

MobileCause is the leading provider of mobile technologies for nonprofit organizations and NPOs are our singular focus. We have served more than 1080 nonprofit organizations—raised millions of dollars—and reached hundreds of thousands of new donors for our clients. Learn more about how each of our mobile tools have been designed to strengthen engagement, involvement and fundraising.

www.mobilecause.com/mobile-giving.html

Mobile Data Traffic Advancements Will Help to Increase National Philanthropy

Increased Mobile Data Speeds Can Advance Charities

Cisco recently released it’s latest research white paper—Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update 2011-2016. Download Full White Paper PDF

DO MOBILE TRAFFIC ADVANCEMENTS EFFECT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS?

As nonprofit leaders we must realize that more and more or our donors, supporters, volunteers and staff are using smartphones and tablets in place of personal computers. How do advancements in mobile data speed effect fundraising, communication and engagement for nonprofits? As a philanthropic leaders let’s allow this question to percolate as we consider the mobile trends.

Smartphones will continue to lead mobile data traffic and growth.

WHERE ARE WE NOW—2011 A YEAR OF MOBILE ADVANCES

2011 was the year of 4G—Smartphones are faster than ever before.

Mobile data traffic grew 2.3x— doubling for the fourth year in a row.
2011 mobile data traffic was 8x the size of the entire Internet in 2000.
Mobile video exceeded 50% of mobile web traffic for the first time.
Mobile network connection speeds grew 66 percent.
Fourth-generation (4G) connection generated 28x more traffic than non-4G.
Average smartphone usage nearly tripled in 2011.
Smartphones represent 12% of global mobile devices (28% in US), but represent over 82% of total data traffic.
Android levels of data use is now higher than iPhone.
The number of mobile-connected tablets tripled to 34 million.

Cloud media advancements lead the mobile revolution.

WHERE ARE WE GOING—THE NEXT FIVE YEARS OF MOBILE

Mobile forecasts through 2016—More devices, more data and less computers.

Global mobile data traffic will increase 18-fold between 2011 and 2016.
By the end of 2012, mobile devices will exceed people on earth.
By 2016 there will be 1.4 mobile devices per capita.
In 2016, 4G will be 6 percent of connections, but 36 percent of total traffic.
By 2016, 39 percent of all mobile devices will potentially connect to IPv6.
2/3 of the world’s mobile data traffic will be video by 2016.
Tablets will generate almost as much traffic in 2016 as all mobile in 2012.
The average smartphone will generate 2.6 GB of traffic per month in 2016, a 17-fold increase over the 2011 average of 150 MB per month.

25% of mobile users will have two or more mobile connected devices by 2016.

Mobile video will lead mobile data traffic and growth.

HOW DO THESE MOBILE TRENDS EFFECT NONPROFITS?

Nonprofit giving, education, communication and involvement will follow mobile traffic trends. Nonprofit constituents want to: 1—give conveniently, 2—be educated constantly with rich media and video, 4—be connected and receive instant instant feedback and 5—use new technologies to grow overall philanthropy. Traditional “business as usual” charitable communication and fundraising strategies will face decline if not augmented by mobile technologies.

HOW DO WE RESPOND TO INCREASED MOBILE RATES?

Forward thinking NPOs need to actively pursue mobile technologies—across mobile, social, live events and whatever other mediums our target constituents are already using—to augment existing strategies. Creative use and effective measurable implementations of mobile technologies are essential components for charitable growth in our country.

Learn more about MobileCause fundraising and engagement tools for NPOs.

Text to Give for the Poor – LifeWater International

One-billion people don’t have clean water and lack of clean water around the world is a big problem. You can help—Text to give WASH for the poor.

Featured Client: LifeWater International

BACKGROUND  LifeWater International is a Christian organization that strives to treat all people with dignity and respect. Believing that the gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to bring wholeness to all aspects of life–spiritual, physical, emotional, and social–LifeWater works alongside the poor to understand and respond to the complex, systemic causes of poverty. LifeWater believes that we have been given resources to benefit the poor and bring about lasting improvements to health and well-being. Visit www.lifewater.org to learn more.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE  MobileCause is proud to provide text to give services for the poor to Life Water International. Please text WASH to 85944 to make a $5 donation for clean water around the world.

“One-billion people don’t have clean water and their is no quick fix. Life Water is creating solutions for the long haul.”

Learn more about MobileCause fundraising and engagement solutions for NPOs.