Welcome to the January issue of The Giving Connection!

Welcome to 2025!??

The new year isn’t just the turning of a calendar page—it’s a fresh start brimming with potential. It’s a time to celebrate the impact we’ve made together and set our sights on what’s next. At the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada, we see New Year’s resolutions as an opportunity to ignite generosity, spread hope, and drive meaningful change.

In 2025, let’s resolve to make a difference: to collaborate, to uplift our communities, and to lead with kindness. Whether it’s expanding your monthly donor base, launching innovative fundraising campaigns, or engaging new audiences, we’re here to help you bring those goals to life. Together, let’s make 2025 a year to think bigger, inspire more, and create lasting impact.

Reflecting on 2024

Last year was a testament to the power of collective giving. Thanks to your incredible efforts, MGFC-supported campaigns made a tangible impact across Canada:

• $270,000 + raised in $5 - $25 donations.
• 89 charities leveraged our text-to-donate platform, driving critical funding for causes including food security, education, healthcare, and animal welfare.
• 20 new charities signed up to try mobile giving for the very first time.
• 194 keywords activated.
• Monthly Giving Momentum: A growing trend in 2024 was the rise of recurring donations. Charities using MGFC’s monthly giving feature secured an average 13% opt-in rate, with donors committing to subscribe and give monthly for an average of 48 months. This sustainable approach ensures long-term support for vital programs. Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about adding the monthly giving feature to your text-to-donate campaign.

2025 and Beyond

As we step into 2025, there’s an opportunity to build on these successes by focusing on:

• Personalized Donor Journeys: Tailored messages and impact stories can significantly improve engagement and retention.
• Creative Campaigns: From leveraging emoji-based donations to running theme-driven initiatives, the potential to connect with diverse donor groups is immense.
• Donors are motivated by clarity and tangible results. By sharing the real impact of every dollar, you’ll inspire continued generosity and long-term support.

Fundraising Ideas

In-person Fundraising Ideas

Winter Warm-Up Challenge: Resolutions in Action – Inspired by Socks 4 Souls

Take a page from Socks 4 Souls Canada’s inspiring playbook! Host a community donation drive encouraging people to provide warmth this winter. Socks 4 Souls effectively highlights the tangible impact of each donation to motivate contributions.

• For example, a $10 donation provides 20 new pairs of socks for unhoused people, a $20 donation provides 40 pairs new pairs of socks.
• Set up donation booths at popular community hubs like malls or events, and display posters, banners, and table tents with clear instructions to text a relevant and easy-to-remember keyword like "SOCKS" to donate $5, $10, $20, or $25 directly to the cause.
• Celebrate milestones publicly, and thank donors for helping keep the community warm this winter.
• Consider collaborating with local businesses or public figures, as Socks 4 Souls did with Mayor Olivia Chow and Indie88, to boost visibility and encourage even greater participation!

Innovative Fundraising Ideas

Turn Resolutions Into Recurring Impact

The new year is a perfect time to encourage donors to set up recurring monthly donations. Frame it as a New Year’s "resolution" to support a cause every month.

• Use a promotional follow-up message in your campaign like: “New year, new habit. Join our Monthly Giving Club and donate $10 every month. To accept, reply YES.”
• Offer monthly donors early access to impact reports or recognition in a donor spotlight, and share progress toward your "2025 Club Members" goal on your website and social media.

Upcoming Events

• Upcoming Event! MGFC’s next virtual event is coming up, and we’re partnering with a new friend in the fundraising space! You won’t want to miss this one, so follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates.

Planning Ahead…

As we enter into 2025, it’s a perfect time to start planning impactful campaigns for the coming year. Our Seasonal Spike Calendar highlights key dates to help you align your fundraising efforts with causes that resonate throughout 2025.

• Black History Month | Next Month | February 2025 Celebrate and honour the achievements, history, and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities. February is an opportunity to run campaigns that highlight stories of resilience, educate, and inspire meaningful action.Pro Tip: Partner with local organizations or run donation drives that directly support initiatives rooted in equity and empowerment.
• Heart Month | Next Month | February 2025 February is also Heart Month, a time to promote cardiovascular health initiatives. Consider campaigns that educate and raise awareness, while encouraging donors to take part in supporting life-saving research and programs.Did You Know? Campaigns that use recurring giving features can secure long-term support for health-focused organizations.
• International Women’s Day | March 8, 2025 Mark your calendar for this global celebration of women’s achievements across social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. Use this opportunity to raise funds for organizations that uplift women and promote gender equity.
• Pride Month | 5 Months Away | June 2025 June may seem far off, but it’s never too early to start planning for this vibrant celebration of love, diversity, and inclusion. Whether it’s through themed text-to-donate campaigns or community-focused events, preparing early ensures your impact resonates when the time comes.

?? Meet the MGFC Team

Meet Jim Manis: The Visionary Behind MGFC.

Jim Manis is more than the founder of the Mobile Giving Foundation—he’s a trailblazer who transformed mobile technology into a force for good, bringing millions of new donors to qualified charities.

Following his work that helped create a 3rd party commercial marketplace for mobile users and its associated consumer best practices, Jim’s passion for innovation and a deep commitment to philanthropy led him to empowering non-profits and donors to engage with each other in a simple yet profound way: through text messaging with embedded carrier billing to support a seamless donation capability. His work has allowed charities across Canada (and the U.S.) to secure new donors and raise millions of dollars for various causes, providing meaningful impact.

Under Jim’s guidance and leadership, MGFC has become a trusted partner to over 800 charitable organizations, helping them harness the power of mobile giving to expand their reach, engage new audiences, and achieve sustainable growth.

Jim's Vision for 2025

“Mobile technology is one of the most powerful tools for charities looking to acquire and engage new donors. Its ability to connect people quickly and efficiently to causes they care about will continue to shape the future of philanthropy. As the sector continues its rapid evolution, I encourage charities and stakeholders to: 1) quickly expand their use of recurring gifts (monthly giving has proven highly effective, cost efficient, and donor accepted); 2) be early adopters of new messaging formats, like RCS, as a means to make donor engagement more meaningful, and; 3) carefully introduce AI into your donor engagement strategies to align values and build communities.

I am deeply grateful to the donors who support charities through our platform, to the wireless operators, and the Canadian Telecommunications Association who make this technology possible at no cost, and to our partners who collaborate with us along the way.”

??Free Tools and Resources

Explore our favourite resources to support your fundraising goals and kickstart your plans for 2025:

• MGFC Goal Planner: Start the year with clarity by mapping out your 2025 campaigns using this customizable Canva template.
• Pitching Text-to-Donate: Need help presenting text-to-donate to your boss or board? This guide shares 11 key facts and insights to help you build a strong case for mobile giving at your organization.

Thank you for being part of The Giving Connection!

We hope you found inspiration and valuable insights to elevate your fundraising efforts. If you have any questions or ideas or just want to connect, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

Let's make a difference together!