Mobile companies advance Haiti charity fundraising donations

22/01/10

Written by Sally O'Connell.

Charity fundraising could be made more efficient after mobile phone operators in the US agreed to pass on text donations more quickly than normal.

According to North Jersey, pressure from the Mobile Giving Foundation, based in Bellevue, has encouraged a number of major service suppliers to front up to 80 per cent of all donations for the Haitian earthquake appeal.

Companies do not normally pass on charity funds gathered via text message until the donor pays their bill.

Mobile Giving Foundation chief executive Jim Manis told the news source that although his organisation suggested the idea, many operators were quick to oblige.

'We did urge it, but it was more like a mutual agreement - the carriers clearly understood the importance of doing this right away,' Mr Manis said.

Verizon Wireless has so far advanced some $7.8 million (£4.8 million) to support the Red Cross' work in Haiti, while T-Mobile made its first payment yesterday (January 21st), the website states.

Text donors in the US have so far contributed a total of £28 million to help individuals affected by the seven-magnitude quake.

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