SMS stands for Short Message Service, commonly know to consumers as text messaging. The protocol is designed to send text messages to and from mobile phones. The messages may be up to 160 characters in length including spaces. Almost 100% of today’s phones can send and receive text messages! Text2Broadcast >>

Is text messaging the same as email?

Technically, they are not the same. However, they are very similar, and many mobile devices can send and receive both.

What kind of phone do I need to send SMS or text messages?

Nearly every new mobile phone allows you to send and receive SMS or text messages, and this information will be presented to you as part of the phone's capabilities when you make your purchase. For older phones, it is best to contact your wireless service provider if you are not sure, and they can either explain how to send and read messages or provide you details on upgrading to a phone with these capabilities. Text2Broadcast >>

Is Text messaging provided by all cell phone carriers?

At this point, all major cellular providers offer text messaging in all their basic plans. There are different plans regarding SMS/Text messaging for each carrier, most, if not all, offer unlimited text messaging plans. If you receive a text without having a texting/SMS plan you can be charged on average 5¢ to 10¢ for each text. Text2Broadcast >>

Will any of my company information be disclosed to any third parties?

No, never.

What is a short code?

Similar to a telephone number, short codes are special 5 or 6 digit codes used to route text messages from mobile phones to interactive mobile messaging applications, typically in combination with a keyword. They are designed to be shorter to read and easier to remember than normal telephone numbers. Short codes also allow for billing and other unique forms of interaction via the mobile phone such as television voting, ordering ringtones, charity donations and mobile chat services.

Used in combination with a short code, a keyword is a word that differentiates a mobile campaign form others on the same short code. The keyword and short code combination allows mobile phone users to make a donation to MGF sponsored mobile donation campaign. For example, an organization called Clean Water Planet might choose the keyword WATER. In order to make a donation, mobile phone users would send the word WATER as the body of his or her text message e.g. to the short code 85944.

I want to stop receiving messages. How do I do that?

If you would like to stop receiving messages from 27138 and its affiliates text "STOP" or "UNSUBSCRIBE" to 27138 in order to be removed from our partners' lists.

What is the Mobile Giving Foundation?

The Foundation was created to combine the incredible scope and capabilities of the US wireless industry with a need for charitable organizations to find a new class of donors and newer, more intuitive methods of facilitating contributions. Specifically, MGF is working with US wireless carriers to create a "Mobile Giving Channel," a single channel available to wireless subscribers of all US wireless carriers by which users can instantaneously respond to charitable solicitations by a text message. Text2Give >>

Can we customize the confirmation text that the donor receives?

Yes. You can customize your keyword (8 characters), donation amount ($5 or $10), long campaign name (max 17 characters including spaces), short campaign name (max 9 characters including spaces), and the NPO's 'non-supporting donation URL' aka "You can still donate at....." only used when the carrier has not yet provisioned your keyword on their network (max 50 characters including spaces. Text2Give >>

And can it include a link to our website?

No. The carrier approved message flow is a template and is customizable only as described in the Q&A above, unless the carrier has not yet provisioned your keyword on their network where the 'error' message that is texted back to the donor includes a "You can still donate at..." URL.

How does payment get to the NPO from the cellular companies?

Lets follow the dollar.... 1) donor makes a pledge. 2) donor pays cell phone bill. 3) wireless carrier forwards donated amount (100%) to the Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF). 4) MGF forwards donated amount (100%) to the charity. 5) MobileCause bills charity 50 cents for each $5 or $10 donation. This process usually takes approximately 60-90 days and donation reports are provided by the Mobile Giving Foundation. Text2Give >>

Are donors sent a tax-deductible receipt? If so, from whom?

Donors will see a charge on their cell phone bill paid to the Mobile Giving Foundation which they can use as a tax receipt. Additionally, donors can text HELP to the donation short code and get instructions on getting a tax receipt. One more way a donor can get a tax receipt is by going to the Mobile Giving Foundation and printing a tax receipt. Funds are technically donated to the MGF and then "re-gifted" to the charity placing the responsibility of providing tax receipts on the MGF.

What information is provided to us regarding the individual donors?

The following information is provided: mobile number, time, date, state, carrier, source (text message or via web widget), and geographical display on US map based on the area code of the mobile number. US wireless carriers do not provide personal information like name, address, etc due to privacy agreement with their subscribers.

For even more answers to common questions, please visit MGF FAQ page here.