99999

One of the biggest issue that Non-Profit organizations are facing today is donor fatigue. While it may be a result of the sluggish and unstable economy, I also think Americans are tired of people always having someone else’s hands in their pocket books. How many times when per year is there someone standing outside of the local retail market asking for money or cans of food? How many times do we see signs to text a word to 99999 to donate money to a cause? We all see it, and we all get it-people everywhere are struggling. Yes folks, even right here in America. I think global nonprofits are having a harder time with donor fatigue rather than the organizations whose cause benefits our own people or our own causes. Why should we be asked to help other nations where we do not live or work? I think because of these issues, Americans are tired of being asked to always contribute to something. While there is still a big global emphasis on America being the land of opportunity, as our debts increase, we may be gaining a reputation for land of handouts.

Texting-Good for nonprofit?

 I don’t exactly know what to think about texting for a fund raising campaign. In a way, I think it’s a great idea. On the other hand, I think it could be potentially annoying. I personally would never subscribe to receiving more texts asking me to donate. Like we talked about in class, I get enough stupid text forwards from friends, along with stupid e-mail forwards. The last thing I want is to get texts pressuring me to donate. I absolutely think that it’s necessary to ONLY receive texts if you signed up for it. I read an article on the Chronicle of Philanthropy website talking about the text messaging campaign that was unveiled during the Super Bowl. The United Way started their own fund-raising campaign using text messaging. According to the article, “In a television advertisement that appeared during the game, the United Way appealed to viewers to send a text message that would generate a $5 contribution (or at least $4.50, excluding administrative costs) to help American kids stay physically fit.” United Way, in my opinion, went about this in the perfect way. They proposed their campaign during the best time of the year to watch commercials and they had it dealing with sports and kids, both of which have a lot to do with during the Super Bowl. Here is the website where the video from the commercial is shown.

“In Europe and other areas of the world, using text messages to make a donation is commonplace.” I think that it will probably take us (United States) a while to catch on to this, (I really don’t think I will hop on this train) just like it always does. I think it will get bigger, but I’m still not sure that it will be the easiest/fastest way to donate. Heck, people aren’t donating solely on the internet, they still use the phones!