Once again, mobile is providing a lifeline for concerned citizens to donate to the relief of the Gulf oil spill, one of the largest man-made disasters in U.S. history.
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has launched a mobile giving campaign as part of its efforts to raise money to help save animals ravaged by the BP oil spill. The new campaign, organized in part by the Mobile Giving Foundation, allows wireless subscribers to donate $10 to the NWF’s Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund, by texting WILDLIFE to 20222.
Mobile donations soared in popularity after the American Red Cross launched a text-to-give campaign that allowed cell phone users to make $10 donations by sending HAITI to 90999. The campaign raised $32 million dollars within one month of its launch and threw mobile giving into the spotlight.
Others have launched SMS-donation campaigns as well. Mad Mobile, a mobile marketing provider, recently launched its “Oil Spill Relief” campaign that allows users to donate $10 by texting ‘GULF’ to 50555. Once an SMS is received, the consumer will receive a text message confirming their contribution of which 100% of the donation goes directly to the Waterkeeper Alliance and SaveOurGulf.org. The donation appears as a charge on the consumer’s mobile phone bill.
