OTTAWA — The Mobile Giving Foundation Canada (MGFC), which facilitates charitable donations made by text message, says Canadian donations in March were up 980% over the same time period last year, representing a tenfold increase.
More than 21,000 one-time donations were made by people using their mobile devices during the month to respond to appeals from qualified registered charities, according to the news release.
MGFC was founded 10 years ago by key members of Canada’s wireless industry, working in partnership with the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA). MGFC provides Canadian mobile users with a single “mobile giving channel” where they can donate money to qualified charities via text message, which are then remitted through their wireless service provider bills.
According to information provided by a CWTA spokesperson, more than $225,000 was raised in charitable donations by mobile users during the month of March. Individual donation amounts ranged from $5 to $25. More than 1,750 donors opted to give to multiple charities via the mobile giving platform, or made multiple donations to the same charity in March, according to Burch. In all, 74 charities are active on the mobile giving platform.
Since the global pandemic was first declared, MGFC has been waiving application and renewal fees for new and returning charities, saving them upwards of $350 in the process, according to the news release.
“Despite the unprecedented challenges being faced by people in communities across this country, Canadians are stepping up like never before to support those who need it the most,” said Rob Ghiz, president and CEO of CWTA, in the news release. “Everyone knows that Canadians are some of the kindest and most supportive people in the world, and the response to this crisis further proves it.”
“In addition to the increase in total amount of money raised, we are also seeing a marked shift in donor behaviour,” added Caitlin O’Neill, MGFC manager, in the release. “Donors are giving higher amounts when presented with multiple options, which means more money is being funnelled directly to each charitable organization.”
For more information about MGFC and to see a list of active charities, please visit www.mobilegiving.ca.
