The ease of giving via cellphones as we've seen with the Haitian diaster helps raise awareness that each of us can make a difference.. Sustainability of the tech giver is important; I'm confident we'll see strategies evolve that help convert these initial and early givers into more committed giving. 

I think that mobile donations has a place in the future of fundraising. Although it may not be the optimum tool in building donor relations, it can play an important role for certain types of nonprofits, particularly those social services organizations that are first responders to/aid givers for major catastrophic events like 9/11, Tsunamis,  Hurricane Katrina and, of course the Haiti earthquake. If there's an easy, accessible channel that enables folks to engage and participate in giving, at ANY $ level, it's a good thing in my book!

Making donating easy for people is key. The people that are using texting as a form of giving aren't going to make a donation more than $20 for the most part. In my humble opinion this donor wants to give a little bit to many different organizations, and will do so if you reach them by being cutting edge with the ask or the cause.

I think that many people gave to Haiti because a $5 or $10 donation was manageable. People want to help but they don't always know how...give them the how and they will contribute.

I believe that mobile donations are here to stay - and I think it's a good thing! It reaches the younger, texting generation who wouldn't otherwise be inclined to send in a check or pick up a phone - and the contributions are at a level they can afford. As for the "over the top" marketing of the Red Cross, I strongly disagree. As a volunteer since 9/11, I have worked - like so many other volunteers and staff - very closely with the media. In the NYC area we respond to an average of 8 disasters a day and provide shelter, food and clothing to families who would have none of those were it not for the Red Cross. In addition, we serve hot drinks in the winter and water in the summer to the first responders at these disasters. The media know all too well what we do and if the Red Cross gets a lot of air time it is because they know we are always there when there's a need. We are our own PR. No one organization is perfect in what they do but the Red Cross is always working at improving and looking for ways to better serve their clients. They spend far less time at marketing than you may think! I am very proud to be a volunteer and very proud of the work we do!