Mobile Giving for Haiti Earthquake Relief Raises $500,000 in Canada

Feb 2, 2010

Mobile Giving Foundation Canada enables leading national non-profit organizations to drive general public donations via mobile phones.

OTTAWA, Feb. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mobile Giving Foundation Canada (MGF Canada), a non profit organization and pioneer of mobile giving dedicated to helping other non-profits raise funds through the mobile channel in Canada, today announced that donations made via mobile phones for Haiti Earthquake Relief in Canada have surpassed $500,000 across all the short codes managed by the organization. Currently, MGF Canada has enabled mobile giving campaigns with some of Canada's largest national non-profit organizations (NPOs).

MGF Canada and the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) work with Canadian wireless service providers to enable the 100-percent pass-through of funds raised by all the mobile campaigns that it manages. By texting a keyword to a designated short code via a mobile phone, a micro-donation of $5 or $10 can be made to aid the millions of people affected by the devastating earthquake. The entire donation goes to the recipient charity, and the donation appears as a charge on a donor's carrier bill. Donors also receive information about how to obtain an official income tax receipt.

"The response for Haiti earthquake relief in Canada has been terrific, having raised more money in its first few days than the entire first year of mobile giving in the U.S. in 2008," said Jim Manis, CEO and chairman of the Mobile Giving Foundation. "Given that MGF Canada only launched three months ago, the fact that Canadian operators were able to implement our mobile platform on their networks this quickly makes this number all the more impressive."

"I would like to congratulate the Mobile Giving Foundation for its successful fundraising campaign for the Haiti Earthquake Relief fund," said the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry. "This innovative use of technology is a simple and convenient way for Canadians to open their hearts and show support for the people of Haiti."

As more Canadian organizations join the relief efforts in Haiti, the following short codes are available for making monetary donations to aid those affected by the recent earthquake (in alphabetical order by organization):

The Canadian Red Cross Society: Text the words "REDCROSS", "ROUGE", "FLOW" or "ASTRAL" to 30333 to donate $5.

CARE Canada: Text the words "CARE" or "TOGETHER" to 45678 to donate $5.

Centre d'étude et de coopération internationale (CECI): Text the word "CECI" to 30333 to donate $5.

Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative: Text the words "QUAKE", "HAITI" or "TEAM" to 20222 to donate $5.

International Development and Relief Foundation: Text the words "FOOD" or "IDRF" to 20222 to donate $5.

Plan Canada: Text the word "HAITI" to 30333 to donate $5.

Power to Change: Text the word "GAIN" to 45678 to donate $5.

The Salvation Army Canada: Text the word "HAITI" to 45678 to donate $5.

UNICEF Canada: Text the words "GIVE" or "DON" to 45678 to donate $5.

United Nations World Food Programme: Text the word "RELIEF" to 45678 to donate $5.

World Vision Canada: Text the words "WORLD", "MONDE" or "AID" to 45678 to donate $5.

"Mobile giving has proven to be the fastest and easiest way for the general public to donate to a worthy cause and make a difference," said CWTA President & CEO Bernard Lord. "Experience has shown us that the mobile channel empowers Canadians to donate more readily in small amounts and eliminate most barriers to giving."

Canadian non-profit organizations that are interested in mobile giving and want more information should visit the MGF Canada website at www.mobilegiving.ca.