Canadian text-message donations to Haiti relief top $500,000, foundation says

Canadians have made text-message donations totalling more than $500,000 to Haiti relief efforts through short codes managed by the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada.

Through a partnership with the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, the organization—the Canadian wing of the Bellevue, Washington-based Mobile Giving Foundation—handles short codes for several nonprofits in Canada.

The $500,000 donated by Canadians is a small chunk of the over US$35 million contributed to Haiti earthquake relief through the foundation’s short codes in North America.

According to a Mobile Giving press release, Canadians can make micro-donations to the following groups involved in Haiti relief:

The Canadian Red Cross Society: Text the words “REDCROSS”, “ROUGE”, “FLOW” or “ASTRAL” to 30333 to donate $5.

CARE Canada: Text the words “CARE” or “TOGETHER” to 45678 to donate $5.

Centre d’étude et de coopération internationale (CECI): Text the word “CECI” to 30333 to donate $5.

Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative: Text the words “QUAKE”, “HAITI” or “TEAM” to 20222 to donate $5.

International Development and Relief Foundation: Text the words “FOOD” or “IDRF” to 20222 to donate $5.

Plan Canada: Text the word “HAITI” to 30333 to donate $5.

Power to Change: Text the word “GAIN” to 45678 to donate $5.

The Salvation Army Canada: Text the word “HAITI” to 45678 to donate $5.

UNICEF Canada: Text the words “GIVE” or “DON” to 45678 to donate $5.

United Nations World Food Programme: Text the word “RELIEF” to 45678 to donate $5.

World Vision Canada: Text the words “WORLD”, “MONDE” or “AID” to 45678 to donate $5.

Donations show up as one-time charges on the contributor’s next cellphone bill.

The service is available to Bell, Fido, Koodo, Rogers, Telus, Solo, and Virgin Mobile customers.

On January 12, Haiti was devastated by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, which left 200,000 dead, including at least 26 Canadians.

You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.