Texts Raise Funds for Haiti

Hundreds of thousands of Americans have contributed to the relief effort in Haiti over the last few days by texting their donations. As of 11pm Thursday, January 14, 2010, $7 million had been texted to the Red Cross, and the money was continuing to pour in at a rate of around $100,000 per hour. Many other organizations have also been collecting in similar ways.

By texting HAITI to 90999 donors can contribute $10 to the Red Cross for their relief efforts. The donation is then billed by the donor's phone service provider with their normal bill and the funds are contributed to the Red Cross, or other organization.

The Mobile Giving Foundation has also played a role by connecting the organizations with the phone companies and their users. They work with many organizations to help them raise funds through these texting methods, and specifically for Haitian relief, they are working with 6 groups. Yele Haiti, collects donations of $5 for each text of "Yele" to 50151, The Clinton Foundation Haiti Relief Fund accepts donations of $10 when "HAITI" is texted to 20222, the International Medical Corp, $10 for each text of "HAITI" to 85944, Internal Rescue Committee $5 for "HAITI" to 25383, American Red Cross, $10, with each "HAITI" to 90999, and the Salvation Army Upper Wisconsin accepts donations of $10 every time "HAITI" is texted to 5200.

The way people come together to help out others in times of tragedy and need is very uplifting and all of the generous donations through texting and in other ways will certainly help the efforts of these organizations in restoring the way of life for the Haitian people.

Making charitable contributions through the use of texting is truly one of the best uses for technology. Within two days of the devastating earthquake, the word was spreading and the fast flow of information and ease of donation has greatly helped the ability to collect money for a cause. Anyone, anywhere, could receive a text from a friend, family member, or coworker letting them know about this convenient way to help the cause and then could quickly make their donation with very little effort and no need to have money on them at the moment.

In addition to texting spreading the word, other mediums also facilitated the spread of awareness of how to donate. On Facebook, for example a group was formed and people were invited to send texts to donate, the group has accumulated over 5,000 members who are presumably texting their donations and spreading the word.