Mobile giving is one of the easiest ways to inspire quick donations. But when nonprofits look into mobile giving tools, they often come across two similar terms — text-to-give and text-to-donate. While they sound alike, they work in different ways.
This guide breaks down the key differences between text-to-give and text-to-donate, so your organization can choose the best fit for its fundraising strategy.
What Is Text-to-Give?
Text-to-give allows donors to send a donation directly by texting a specific keyword to a short code (usually a 5–6 digit number). The donation is typically added to the donor’s mobile phone bill, and the mobile carrier forwards the funds to the nonprofit.
Key characteristics:
- Fast, no extra steps required
- Donation amount is usually pre-set (e.g., $10 or $25)
- Funds are received through mobile carriers
- Popular for emergency appeals or simple giving campaigns
Pros:
- Extremely quick and easy for donors
- Ideal for impulse giving or large broadcast campaigns
- Works well in live events or media appeals
Cons:
- Limited donation amounts
- Funds can take longer to reach the nonprofit
- Less donor data is collected (making follow-up harder)
What Is Text-to-Donate?
Text-to-donate works a bit differently. Instead of billing a donation to a phone plan, this method sends donors a link to a secure mobile-friendly donation page. Donors then enter their own payment details to complete the gift.
Key characteristics:
- More flexible donation amounts
- Funds go directly to the nonprofit’s payment processor
- Can collect more donor information
- Easy to integrate with online giving platforms
Pros:
- Higher potential gift amounts
- Instant donation processing
- Easier donor follow-up and stewardship
- Better branding and customization
Cons:
- Requires an extra step (clicking a link and entering payment info)
- Conversion may be slightly lower than instant text-to-give
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Text-to-Give | Text-to-Donate |
|---|---|---|
| Donation Process | Added to phone bill | Linked to mobile-friendly donation page |
| Speed | Instant | Quick but requires an extra step |
| Donation Amount | Usually fixed | Flexible and customizable |
| Donor Data Collection | Limited | Robust |
| Fund Transfer Time | Delayed via carrier | Immediate via payment processor |
| Best For | Mass appeals, emergencies | Campaigns needing flexibility and engagement |
Which Is Right for Your Nonprofit?
- Text-to-Give is best for quick, low-friction campaigns, especially during live events, telethons, or emergencies.
- Text-to-Donate is ideal for nonprofits wanting greater control, higher donation amounts, and better donor engagement.
Some nonprofits even use both — starting with text-to-give for immediate impact and following up with text-to-donate for ongoing support.
Final Thought
Both text-to-give and text-to-donate can play a powerful role in your mobile fundraising strategy. The right choice depends on your campaign goals, audience, and infrastructure. By understanding the difference, you can create smoother donor experiences — and raise more for your mission.
💡 Try this in ChatGPT
- Summarize the article "Comparing Text-to-Give and Text-to-Donate: What Nonprofits Should Know" from https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/p/comparing-text-to-give-and-text-to-donate/ in 3 bullet points for a board update.
- Turn the article "Comparing Text-to-Give and Text-to-Donate: What Nonprofits Should Know" (https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/p/comparing-text-to-give-and-text-to-donate/) into a 60-second talking script with one example and one CTA.
- Extract 5 SEO keywords and 3 internal link ideas from "Comparing Text-to-Give and Text-to-Donate: What Nonprofits Should Know": https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/p/comparing-text-to-give-and-text-to-donate/.
Tip: Paste the whole prompt (with the URL) so the AI can fetch context.
