Mobile Giving "Text-to-Donate" Campaigns for Pakistan Flood Relief Efforts
Launched by the Canadian Red Cross, UNICEF and World Vision Canada

Mobile Giving Foundation Canada Enables Drive for Public Donations via Mobile Phones

OTTAWA, Aug. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mobile Giving Foundation Canada (MGF Canada), a non-profit organization and pioneer of mobile giving dedicated to helping other non-profits raise funds through the mobile channel in Canada, today announced that nationwide text-to-donate campaigns are underway to help with Pakistan flood relief efforts by three of the largest, best organized relief organizations: Canadian Red Cross, UNICEF and World Vision Canada.

MGF Canada works with the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) and Canadian wireless service providers to enable the 100% pass-through of funds raised by all the mobile campaigns that it manages. By texting a keyword to a designated short code via a mobile phone, a micro-donation of $5 or $10 can be made to aid the people affected by the devastating floods. The entire donation goes to the recipient charity, and the donation appears as a charge on a donor's mobile phone bill. Donors also receive information about how to obtain an official income tax receipt.

"Mobile giving has proven to be the fastest and easiest way for the general public to donate to a worthy cause and make a difference," said Jim Manis, Chairman and CEO, Mobile Giving Foundation Canada. "Experience has shown us that the mobile channel empowers people to donate more readily in small amounts and eliminate most barriers to giving. The flood relief efforts in Pakistan require our support now!"

"We continuously look for ways to leverage mobile as a means to empower our communities and support different causes," said Bernard Lord, President and CEO, CWTA. "The people of Pakistan need our immediate assistance, and mobile giving is the perfect tool for Canadians to help our valued relief organizations continue their urgent efforts."

Most Canadian wireless subscribers can help by picking up their mobile phone and:

    
    -   Text the word "REDCROSS" to 30333 to donate $10 to the Canadian Red
        Cross.
    -   Text the word "GIVE" in English or "DON" in French to 45678 to donate
        $5 to UNICEF.
    -   Text the word "WORLD" to 45678 to donate $5 to World Vision Canada.
    

The donation will appear on your wireless phone bill. No text messaging charges apply. MGF Canada thanks the Canadian wireless operators for providing this service at no cost, MyThum for its support services to the Canadian Red Cross, and Zipstripe for its support services to UNICEF and World Vision Canada.

Canadian non-profit organizations that are interested in mobile giving and want more information should visit the MGF Canada Web site at www.mobilegiving.ca.

About Mobile Giving Foundation Canada

The Mobile Giving Foundation Canada (MGF Canada) is the Canadian extension of the Mobile Giving Foundation, which was founded in 2007 to create a "mobile giving channel" that empowers non-profit organizations and donors. Working with North America's top mobile carriers, the MGF enables the mobile channel for charitable giving by providing the organizational layer, operational guidelines and technical infrastructure for non-profit organizations and donors to use the incredible power and convenience of mobile technology. The "Mobile Giving Channel" gives wireless users a simple and immediate way to receive and respond to appeals from worthy causes with the donation charged back to the carrier bill and 100% of the donation going to the designated charity. For further information, please refer to MGF Canada's Web site at www.mobilegiving.ca.

For further information: Valerie Christopherson or Daniel Rhodes, Global Results Communications (GRC), [phone], [email protected]; Marc Choma, CWTA, 613-233-4888 ext. 207, [email protected]