Mobile Giving Foundation
The Mobile Giving Foundation is a non-profit organization based in the U.S. state of Washington, working to increase mobile donating in the US. Chairman and CEO, Jim Manis in early 2008 fostered a deal between the top four major US carriers, allowing non-profit text message fees to be waived.[1]
Campaigns
The Mobile Giving Foundation in conjunction with the United Way launched the first major mobile donating campaign during Super Bowl XLII.[2] This was the first time a non-profit mobile donating campaign had its fee’s waived from all major US carriers that didn’t involve a major natural disaster.[3]
Currently the Mobile Giving Foundation has plans to or is currently working with the United Way, PBS, ASPCA, Keep a Child Alive, IFAW and Amnesty International.[4]
Organization
The Mobile Giving Foundation is headed by Jim Manis, whose background includes mobile campaigns to help Hurricane Katrina victims and the Indonesian tsunami. Jim also was a founding member of m-Qube, a mobile content company.[5]
Mobile donating process
The Mobile Giving Foundation collects all money donated to charities through wireless carriers. Carriers currently partnered with the Mobile Giving Foundation pass 100% of donations through to the nonprofit. The Mobile Giving Foundation then takes 5% to 10% of the donations to cover messaging and short code costs and 90% to 95% of donations are passed on to the non-profit organizations running the campaigns.[5]
Funding
Mobile Giving Foundation is currently funded by QUALCOMM,[6] 1024 Wireless Services, Acta Wireless, Hook Mobile, Mobile Accord, and VeriSign.[5]