Every dollar counts when it comes to fundraising, and with smartphones dominating the digital era, giving has never been easier. Text fundraising has made it simple and efficient for donors to donate with just a few taps on their phones and for nonprofits to reach more donors in moments.
Did you know that, on average, SMS campaigns have an open rate 5x higher than that of email (98% vs 20%)? This makes text messaging one of the most powerful ways to drive donations.
Let’s explore the leading platforms that can help you harness your fundraising through mobile giving.
Why is text fundraising important?
Consider this: the average person checks their phone 96 times per day – that’s once every 10 minutes. That gives your fundraising message a higher chance of reaching its target compared to other traditional outreach methods. There is no other platform with such a high reach.
Here’s why text fundraising has become indispensable:
- Access and convenience: Donors can contribute instantly from anywhere, eliminating the need for complicated donation forms or website navigation.
- Higher engagement rates: There are many ways in which we can measure engagement, but one of the most effective is the click-through rate. SMS messages achieve an impressive click-through rate of nearly 15%, whereas email campaigns are considered successful with a rate of around 2.5%.
- Cost-effective outreach: Text fundraising offers nonprofits a cost alternative to traditional methods. It allows you to reach a large audience at a fraction of the cost of traditional fundraising methods, eliminating the need for physical materials. It allows nonprofits to send messages instantly, making it a cost-effective outreach.
- Data-driven decision-making: It equips nonprofits with the tools needed to maximize their impact. With tools such as link trackers offered by software tools like CallHub, you gain insight into the type of messages and donation requests that donors interact with. By analyzing success metrics from past campaigns, nonprofits can identify effective strategies and areas for improvement.
Understanding text-to-give and text-to-donate
Before we jump into our top platforms, which I have done extensive research on, let’s clear up a common confusion in the mobile giving world. While the terms are often used interchangeably, text-to-give and text-to-donate actually represent two different donation methods.
Text to give:
- Donations are added directly to the donor’s phone bill.
- Usually limited to fixed amounts (typically ranging from $5, $10, or $25).
- Requires carrier agreements.
- Funds are distributed through mobile carriers.
- Simple “text a keyword to a number” process.
- Great for crisis relief and immediate response campaigns.
Text to donate:
- Donors are sent a link to a mobile-friendly donation form
- Allows custom donation amounts.
- Processes payments through standard payment gateways.
- Captures donor information for future engagement.
- Enables recurring donation options.
- Better for building long-term donation options.
For further understanding, you can read the article on ‘text to donate vs. text to give.’
Top text fundraising platforms
Now that we have understood the potential of text fundraising for nonprofits, let’s tackle the big question: which platform should you choose? But don’t worry – we’ve done the heavy lifting for you! Check out the top 5 text fundraising platforms that consistently deliver results.
1. CallHub
Yes, you heard it right! CallHub is your number-one powerhouse for text fundraising, with its primary focus on text-to-donate functionality.
This feature gives you more flexibility in donation and allows organizations to collect essential donor information for future engagement.
It not only offers advanced text messaging tools such as text broadcast and peer-to-peer texting, but it also has a variety of texting features. With features such as:
- MMS capabilities (images, GIFs, HD video)
- Link shortener and tracker,
- Automatic replies,
- Profanity filters
- 10 DLC and shortcodes
It is a complete and sophisticated solution for any text fundraising campaign.
Why I recommend it:
- A Swiss army knife
Callhub’s platform is not just one stop for text-to-donate but includes call center software, voice broadcast, and email outreach, making it a comprehensive fundraising tool. So yes, it is a one-stop platform for all your fundraising needs.
- CRM and payment gateway integration
CallHub integrates with Salesforce, NationBuilder, Blackbaud, and other CRMs, ensuring donor data is easily managed. It also supports multiple payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal, giving more options for transaction processing.
- Cost-effective & scalable
CallHub offers affordable pricing with pay-as-you-go options, making it an excellent choice for both small and large fundraising campaigns.
- Customizable & user-friendly
You have control over messaging, branding, and engagement strategies compared to rigid platforms. Its easy-to-use dashboard and intuitive automation tools make it accessible even for teams with little tech experience.
- Mobile app
CallHub Mobile app empowers volunteers and campaigners to make calls, send texts, and engage with supporters – anytime, anywhere. Whether running a fundraising drive or mobilizing volunteers, the app ensures seamless outreach without being tied to a desktop.
2. MobileCause
MobileCause is a popular text fundraising platform for nonprofits and fundraising organizations. It offers both text-to-give and text-to-donate features. Donors can text a keyword to a short or long code and receive a link to a mobile-friendly donation page. From there, they can complete their donation using a credit card or digital payment method.
MobileCause excels at customizable donation forms that work well on any device. While it supports text-to-give for simple campaigns, its strength lies in more advanced text-to-donate capabilities.
Pricing– you can request a demo from the platform.
3. Tatango
Tatango specializes in mass texting and is particularly strong in text-to-give campaigns. It focuses on managing detailed donor information, making it ideal for organizations that want to build lasting relationships through their campaigns. The platform is designed to support the entire donor journey.
Here is what’s interesting: Tatango doesn’t just blast messages into the void. It’s more like a master chess player, thinking several moves ahead.
Their compliance management is exceptionally thorough, ensuring every message meets regulations. Plus, their advanced segmentation tailors donor communications precisely, making outreach more effective and personalized.
Pricing – book a demo on request with the team of experts at Tatango.
4. GiveLively
Who says fundraising features have to come at a cost? GiveLively offers free access to essential tools, allowing you to create unlimited text codes for your campaigns, events, and more – making fundraising more accessible for organizations of all sizes.
GiveLively provides customizable donation pages, campaign tracking, and donor data integration, making it an efficient and cost-effective mobile fundraising tool. You can view your campaign pages and live displays with their donation tracking thermometers.
Pricing – The platform is free for registered nonprofits that meet eligibility requirements. However, organizations are responsible for transaction fees charged by third-party payment processors like Stripe and Lob. Additionally, donors can leave a tip to support GiveLively’s services.
5 – Qgiv
Qgiv provides nonprofits with a mobile giving experience through its intuitive text-to-donate tool. Qgiv works with peer-to-peer fundraising tools, event software, and payment processors like Stripe. This helps nonprofits manage fundraising smoothly.
It goes beyond text-to-donate. Qgiv sends automatic thank-you messages, confirmations, and follow-ups to keep donors engaged. It also supports recurring donations, ensuring steady funding. Real-time tracking and reports help improve the campaign.
Pricing – $159/month and $387/quarter. No setup or support fees.
| Disclaimer: The prices mentioned for these platforms are accurate as of February 2025. Please verify prices at the time of your purchase. |
Ready to begin text fundraising?
Text fundraising platforms have transformed how nonprofits connect with donors, offering great convenience, engagement, and results. As mobile giving grows, choosing the right text fundraising platform becomes crucial for organizational success.
That’s where CallHub comes in.
Whether you’re a small local charity or a large international nonprofit, CallHub’s powerful text fundraising solution can help you reach your goals more effectively.
But remember that the best platform isn’t just about features – it’s about finding the right fit for your organization’s needs. Sign up today and explore how CallHub can take your fundraising to the next level!
FAQ: Text fundraising for nonprofits
What’s the difference between text-to-give and text-to-donate?
Text-to-give adds the donation amount to the donor’s phone bill, usually for set amounts. Text-to-donate sends a link to a donation form, allowing donors to give any amount and enter their payment details. Text-to-donate also lets nonprofits collect donor information for future engagement.
Can small nonprofits benefit from text fundraising?
Absolutely. Text fundraising is scalable and accessible for organizations of all sizes. Many platforms offer affordable plans or even free options for eligible nonprofits, making it easy to get started.
What are the best practices for a successful text fundraising campaign?
Keep messages short and clear, personalize outreach when possible, use strong calls to action, and follow up with thank-you messages. Test different keywords and track results to optimize future campaigns.
How do I collect donor information through text fundraising?
Text-to-donate platforms typically collect donor details through the donation form. This information can be integrated with your CRM for future engagement and stewardship.
How quickly do nonprofits receive funds from text donations?
For text-to-give, funds may take longer to process through mobile carriers. Text-to-donate platforms usually process payments via standard gateways, so funds are typically available within a few business days.
