Cool, New Phones at CES Perfect for Mobile Giving to Haiti Relief

SEATTLE, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 12th last year, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, and the world responded through relief efforts, including what became a watershed event for mobile giving when more than $43 million were raised by nearly 40 non-profit organizations through texttogive campaigns.  As next week's anniversary of the tragedy approaches, the Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF) reminds members of the consumer electronics industry to make a $5 or $10 donation (up to $30 total) via their mobile phones during this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The pioneer of mobile giving dedicated to helping charitable organizations raise funds through the mobile channel, the MGF was the "clearinghouse" for funds raised through the mobile channel for Haiti earthquake relief, receiving remittance of monies collected by mobile carriers from donors and distributing 100 percent of those funds to recipient charities.  The MGF had the first mobile-giving campaign for Haiti earthquake relief on behalf of Yele Foundation operational within an hour of the quake and ultimately supported more than three dozen other charities in North America in their text-to-give campaigns for quake victims.

Donations generated from almost 6 million people using mobile giving were put to use in country in record time thanks in large part to special expedited payments made by the wireless operators, and helped provide front line response including medical support, water, food, security and shelter.  "One year later, the need for financial relief in Haiti still exists, as there remains a great deal of infrastructure to be rebuilt, homes to construct and widespread diseases to fight," said Jim Manis, chairman and CEO of the MGF.  "Given the vast gathering of industry members at CES this week, we humbly ask that each person considers a donation on behalf of a charity working to help last year's earthquake victims.  The process takes less than 30 seconds and can be performed while standing in a cab line, waiting to get into a party or simply walking the show floor."

Please support one of these charities and their active relief efforts in Haiti:

Text the word QUAKE to 20222 to support the Clinton Bush Haiti Relief Fund with a $10 gift

Text the word MERCY to 25383 to support Mercy Corps with a $10 gift

Text the word HAITI to 501501 to support the Yele Foundation with a $10 gift

Text the word RISING to 41010 to support JP/Haitian Relief Organization with a $10 gift

Donations are billed to the donor's wireless phone bill and remitted on a 100% pass through basis.  Standard message and data rates may apply.

The Mobile Giving Foundation now works with more than 800 charities, helping them to carefully execute fundraising campaigns that benefit tens of millions of people.  To learn more about the Mobile Giving Foundation and current campaigns, visit www.mobilegiving.org.

About The Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF)

The Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF) 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 percent of the donation going to the designated charity.  For further information, please refer to the MGF website at www.mobilegiving.org.

SOURCE Mobile Giving Foundation