November 30, 2010

MGF celebrates first anniversary of mobile giving

Enables non-profits to raise new funds

Mobile Giving Foundation Canada  (MGF Canada), in collaboration with the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), has announced that it will hold a first-anniversary celebration commemorating the launch of mobile giving in Canada  on   Wednesday, December 1  from 6pm-8pm EST at Haliburton Hall in the Intercontinental   Toronto  Centre. The event will recognize the Canadian carriers, application service providers (ASPs) and charities that have made the past year of mobile giving in   Canada  a tremendous success, as well as give the non-profit and wireless communities an opportunity to hear what is in store for MGF   Canada  in 2011.

In 2009, MGF  Canada  partnered with CWTA and its Canadian wireless carrier members to create awareness around mobile giving, and make charitable donating simple and convenient for consumers throughout the country, generating significant contributions in donations for its registered charities. This year, MGF   Canada  made great strides in furthering education about the value of mobile giving as a driver for donor engagement and acquisition within the non-profit community, and is partnering with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Foundation for Philanthropy,   Canada  and the AFP Greater   Toronto  Chapter for its AFP Congress event this week to grow even more awareness among its delegates.

"With the growth of mobile giving in   Canada  this past year, we want to celebrate this special occasion by bringing together all the key players in the industry to thank them for their ongoing efforts in guiding mobile giving to where it is now and where we need to take it in the future," said   Jim Manis, Chairman and CEO of the Mobile Giving Foundation and MGF   Canada. "Our hope is that MGF   Canada  will continue the mission of further educating people, companies and charities about how mobile can play a key role in their development and marketing campaigns."

"We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the MGF to strengthen the humanitarian presence in   Canada  through the use of the mobile channel," said   Bernard Lord, President and CEO of CWTA. "Mobile giving is a natural fit for CWTA and has proven to be successful in enabling and encouraging the mobile community to make donations using this rapidly growing medium, as well as to allow wireless operators in   Canada  to give back to their communities."

Non-profit organizations in   Canada, such as the Children's Miracle Network, have been able to find an additional resource for much-needed funds by enabling donors to give through their mobile devices during fundraising campaigns. The Children's Miracle Network hosted a radiothon in 2010 and was able to raise more than   $20,000  in donations in one day through mobile donations.

"Mobile giving has been incredibly useful in helping us increase our donor response," said Perry Esler, Vice President of Radiothon and Corporate Development at the Children's Miracle Network. "We are excited about the potential for larger donations moving forward and hope to continue to leverage mobile giving in our campaigns in 2011 and beyond."