Mobile fundraising can be used in conjunction with a live event such as an auction, in addition to being used strictly to raise funds through a mobile giving campaign. Mobile fundraising is just a set of tools and techniques that ensure your organization is accessible to those using mobile devices.

The important thing to remember is that mobile fundraising is not going to go away. Mobile fundraising has evolved from simply meaning having a text-to-give campaign to having specific platforms designed to help non-profits create giving campaigns that use social media, text and email to drive donors to give.

If your organization is serious about mobile fundraising, then you need to be serious about being mobile-friendly. Being mobile-friendly means everything from your website to your email looks good on a mobile device.

Why is it so important to look good on mobile devices? Well, according to a recent study by npENGAGE 49% of all emails are read on mobile devices.

Your organization spends a lot of time crafting the perfect appeal email, but if it doesn’t open right on a mobile device, or looks bulky and requires a lot of scrolling, all that time is going to be wasted when the recipient sends your email to the trash.

And, you want your donors to open their email because statistically 16% of donors use their mobile device to make a donation after reading an email.

It is all about ease and convenience. If your donor can easily click a link embedded in your email and go directly to your secure giving site then they will. If they have to exit the email and put in your web address, chances are they won’t. Also, for organizations with a responsive website, that is one that looks good on all devices, the donation rate increased to 18%.

Mobile fundraising also includes drawing donors to your events. Part of your mobile fundraising campaign should include a way for your donors to register for the event online or via their mobile device. The ENGAGE survey found that roughly 19% of event registrations came from mobile devices.

If you send an email reminder (mobile friendly) about your event and include link to your online registration, you have made it simple for your donor to click the link to sign up.

Don’t worry if you feel that getting mobile friendly is a little daunting, many organizations feel that way and to help with that there are a plethora of mobile fundraising platforms such as Network for Good’s DonateNow or MobileCause that can help your organization create mobile friendly campaigns.

Remember embracing mobile fundraising means that your campaigns look good and are accessible to those using mobile devices. if you want to make the most out of mobile fundraising you need to spend the same amount of time crafting your mobile friendly message as you would any other message.

Use your mobile fundraising campaign to increase awareness and drive donations. It can also be used to enhance your live events by making it easier for people to register or buy tickets for the event.

Mobile friendly also means it is easy to share on social media. By allowing your donors to post your event or campaign to their social media accounts you can increase your organization’s visibility.