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These days, telephones have become so much more than simple talking devices. Who would have thought even a decade ago that a phone could be an effective tool for fundraising technology – and not just for charity cold-calling? To refer to today’s mobile phones as “phones” really doesn’t begin to describe what these devices can do. Not only can they be used to make and receive calls, they can send and receive text messages and emails, call using Skype, and search the internet. They can be used for gaming, photography, music playing, diarising, and videoing. Navigation tools and book downloading can all be achieved, simply by using these appropriately named “smartphones”. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of what these devices can do. With such a high proportion of the population using smartphones on a daily basis, it was inevitable that applications would be invented to use these for fundraising purposes. Traditional telemarketing still has its place, but newer fundraising technology has opened up the market for charities and community groups to reach a wider audience in a more profitable and effective way. The diversity of the ways in which smartphones can be used for fundraising is mind-boggling. From Quick Response (QR) Codes commonly seen in magazines (those square black and white maze patterns which can be scanned by your phone to take you directly to a particular website), to location-based services which use tracking technology to send messages based on your location, a smartphone opens up a whole new universe of connectivity options. Charity organisations are globally using smartphone technology to great advantage. An example of this includes WaterAid, in Malawi, who had field staff use smartphones to live blog and share photos on Instagram from the extremely remote communities they service; raising awareness and facilitating digitally-raised funds for their public appeals. Work was being undertaken and funds raised to allow for safe-water borehole drilling, giving a healthy alternative to the muddy riverbed water the villagers had previously been forced to drink. Not only was the technology used to enhance fundraising efforts, it allowed supporters to follow the progress which their donations assisted in achieving on a day to day basis and feel some personal link to and ownership of the achievements made. Prior to smartphone technology, it was impossible to have images of the world’s most remote and disadvantaged communities broadcast globally and in real time. Smartphone fundraising technology can be used in a more localised fashion as well. Whether a community group, sporting team, local school, or charity organisation of any size, applications are available to maximise your fundraising capabilities using a smartphone. Linking causes to a facebook page, twitter, generating a dedicated website, or having an event application for a fundraising dinner, auction, or the like – the options and possibilities are endless.
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