Rebecca Dutson with United Way explains the program on Studio 5
Using the latest technology can make a real impact in addressing critical community needs and helping people who are struggling. The GIVE 5 campaign is a perfect opportunity for everyone to give back to the community in a quick and convenient way with hip, easy-to-use technology. Using your mobile phone to help those with critical needs is a simple process. People can use their cell phone to make their gifts quickly and easily; they’ll have time to tell five friends to do the same.
United Way is one of the first non-profits in Utah to utilize mobile giving as a tool to reach new audiences who are looking for a way to help. Cell phone users will have the chance to react instantly to fundraising appeals and confirm their donation by simply sending a text message. The donation is charged to the donor’s regular monthly cell phone bill and is separated from other transactions and identified as a non-taxable donation.
By providing an opportunity to contribute funds and help your neighbors through simple text messaging, you are able to connect with new United Way donors immediately. The idea of mobile giving starts with the premise that helping people help their neighbors should be as simple and convenient as possible. United Way has been helping people very successfully for a long time, but they are always looking for ways to involve a broader segment of the community.
The campaign is built on the understanding that $5 donations can add up to make a huge community impact. The GIVE 5 campaign encourages people to text “SLGIVE” from their mobile device to the number 864833. From there, a $5 donation is added to the user’s mobile phone bill.
The campaign also will include newspaper and TV spots. Additionally, the use of widgets and a viral video will help spread the message of GIVE 5 and provide an easy way for people to become educated about the campaign via Facebook and Twitter – which will appeal to both a younger and wider demographic.
United Way hopes the non-traditional approach of this campaign, as a largely grassroots effort, gets people excited about helping others in our community. The potential of this campaign is great. With everyone passing the message along more resources are put to work to solve the complex issues in UWSL’s focus areas of education, income and health, as well as to support vital safety net services.”
United Way of Salt Lake’s service areas include Davis, Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele Counties.
A $5 donation will be added to your mobile bill. Standard messaging rates may apply. Go to mgive.com for terms and help.
To find out more about how to contribute or to view the GIVE 5 video, visit www.uw.org/give5 .
The GIVE 5 campaign is powered by mGive.
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