Now that some of the larger charities have launched smartphone apps, The Fundraiser took a reality check on who was likely to hit that ‘donate now’ button
With Android, iPhone and Blackberry technologies slugging it out for the niftiest mobile phone apps, charities can’t afford to miss out on an important new source of giving. There are around 76 million mobile phones in the UK (around 1.8 phones per person on average), so the number of transactions made by Brits on the move is set to explode.
In the mix of checking bank statements, investing in stocks and shares and posting Facebook comments, can giving to charity be just as instinctive? Our poll found that it depends on the charity and who is asking.
Rosalind Chute, 28, decorator
I think phone apps are fine for big brand charities or those you already know you want to give to. But when I got a mailing through from The Brooke about this poor donkey broken down under the weight of a ton of bricks, I gave a one off donation – and wouldn’t have responded to the story through a phone app. The literature made a huge impact on me. With something like the annual Poppy Appeal, the phone app might be useful.
June Barrow-Green, 58, university lecturer
I don’t think I would as I tend to respond to personal requests from people I know. If they are passionate about a particular cause I will give because they have asked – that is my way of filtering. But if someone is doing a challenge event and I can sponsor them online using a phone app then I would definitely do that. For example, if I was on a train and remembered I needed to sponsor someone and could do it there and there, that would be great.
Josh Lowth, 24, communications executive
It would very much depend on the charity. There are some causes that I am more likely to give to than others. I like the idea of it being on my terms. An app on my phone is certainly more appealing to me than being cornered publically in the street. If there was an app with a list of various charities or a search function, then that could work.
Shane O’Connor, 32, web developer
Yes, because it’s on my terms. I despise the chuggers that are constantly on streets hassling. I’ll donate when I want to, not because they have a target to reach.
I’d also like to think that the money I donate goes directly to the cause, not a small percentage as can be the case with other methods. An app would also make it easy to keep up with the charity and see how my donation is being used.
Roubaix Learner, 23, marketing manager
No I don’t think that I would be significantly more likely to donate through my phone. I don’t think there is enough urgency to encourage someone to actually do it, if it’s just another app. I would be more likely to donate spontaneously through street collections or by setting up a regular direct debit to the specific charity of my choice.
Want to develop a mobile phone app for your charity? Here are 5 things you need to know to get started.
This article first appeared in The Fundraiser, Issue 6, June 2011
