The Ultimate Guide to Text Message Fundraising
Why Smart Groups Are Switching to Donate2Support (D2S)
Text message fundraising has transformed the way schools and organizations raise money — offering a fast, personal, and highly effective way to connect with supporters. But not all platforms are created equal. Some vendors prioritize profits over ethics, using questionable tactics that can hurt your program’s reputation and erode trust.
This guide breaks down how text fundraising works, the dangers of using non-compliant platforms, and why smart directors and coaches are turning to Donate2Support (D2S) for a safer, more profitable experience.
What Is Text Message Fundraising?
Text message fundraising, also known as SMS fundraising, allows organizations to connect with supporters via text messages. These messages include personalized donation links, making it quick and simple for recipients to contribute. With a higher engagement rate than emails and traditional outreach, text messaging has become the go-to tool for fundraising campaigns.
The Benefits of Text Message Fundraising
- Convenience: Text messages are easy to send and receive, and supporters can donate in seconds.
- High Engagement: SMS boasts a 99% open rate, ensuring your message is seen.
- Speed: Fundraising campaigns can reach thousands of supporters instantly, driving immediate results.
- Personalization: Platforms like D2S allow for tailored outreach. D2S increases supporter engagement through:
- Increased buy rates
- Larger donation amounts
- More shares via social media and SMS
- Interaction features like photo uploads and comments
After 4 years of running campaigns, stats show that Donate2Support – Raises $12 Per Text Sent!
The Risks of Non-Compliant Platforms
Unfortunately, not all text message fundraising platforms follow best practices. Many fail to comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), putting schools and booster programs at serious legal risk. Here’s what you need to watch out for:
- TCPA Violations: Sending texts without prior consent is a direct federal offense. Fines range from $500 to $1,500 per unauthorized message — and your school, not just the vendor, may be held responsible.
- Impersonal Messaging: Some platforms rely on generic, bot-sent messages. These lack credibility, aren’t tied to a real member, and reduce supporter trust and engagement.
- Donor Harassment: Repeated texts — even after a donation is made — lead to frustration, complaints, and donor fatigue.
- Real Consequences: All it takes is one complaint from a principal or district official. Some schools have banned entire fundraising methods after issues caused by non-compliant vendors.
Why Smart Directors & Coaches Are Switching to D2S?
Donate2Support is built on transparency, compliance, and cutting-edge technology to deliver the best fundraising experience for organizations and donors alike.
1. TCPA Compliance
- D2S ensures 100% compliance with TCPA regulations, protecting your organization from legal risks.
- All text messages are generated in-app by your members so you control when and how often the messages are sent.
- Supporters can opt to receive automated updates on your campaign page.
2. Responsible Supporter Communication
- Advanced technology ensures supporters are never spammed with repeat messages after donating.
- D2S uses a personalized text message sent directly from the member’s phone designed to build trust and enhance engagement.
- Conversely, many competitors send a generic text message without a pic preview from an unknown company number, perceived as a scam or phishing. Supporters unwilling to click the link never donate or share, costing these organizations thousands of dollars.
3. Unmatched Profitability
- With 80-85% profit margins, D2S campaigns outperform competitors.
- Example 1: Cabot High School AFJROTC raised $47,469 with 77% participation, sending 3,351 invites (29.7 average texts per participant).
- Example 2: Lake Hamilton Bands raised $141,629 with 78% participation, sending 10,106 invites (32.5 average texts per participant).
On average, participants send 28.5 texts—far surpassing the competition.
4. Transparent Reporting
- D2S tracks every invite and donation, providing real-time insights.
- Access to daily SMS metrics and detailed reports.
- Live Stats Page with comprehensive participant data.
5. Success Stories
D2S campaigns average 64% participation, with Fall 2024 campaigns raising over $20,000 on average. Sponsors describe D2S as:
- “The easiest fundraiser we’ve ever done.”
- “The most profitable fundraiser in my career.”
- “A platform we’ll use again and again.”
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
A simple 5.99% processing fee is applied to each donation — well within industry norms and among the most transparent in fundraising.
Many platforms charge significantly more, including mandatory fees as high as 11.9%. Others disguise fees as “optional” 15% tips, which require donors to manually reduce or remove them across multiple confusing screens.
Many donors — in a rush to checkout — don’t successfully disable them or mistakenly believe the tip benefits the member or organization.
Our explanation is intentionally simple and transparent — no misleading language, no hidden markups, and no confusion.
We don’t charge groups anything to set up their campaign. All groups receive 86% of every dollar donated.
Our average campaign raises $17,000+. Teams using our text message tools and engagement system often raise between $10,000 and $50,000, depending on participation and group size.
Yes — we offer multiple ways to track participation:
- In your mobile app, monitor invites sent, donations received, and student progress in real time.
- Receive a daily emailed report with all key stats, including invite activity, donor engagement, and more.
- Access a private Live Stats link to track campaign progress on demand.
- At the end, get a full payout report with profit by student — ideal for credit-based or travel-bound programs.
Yes — our industry-leading prize program is built into the app to drive motivation and sharing.
Most groups award around $1,500 in cash prizes, which boosts participation, reach, and funds raised.
The app tracks all progress live, so sponsors can easily view standings and award prizes.
You get a dedicated campaign coach, a custom launch plan, live dashboards, and optimized communication tools. We’re with you every step to maximize your results.
Honestly — as fast as you want.
Just click here to start your fundraiser, drop in your contact and group info, and we can have you rolling as early as tomorrow.
Speed kills, right?
Other platforms often use automated phone numbers. Supporters don’t recognize the sender, and when they reply with questions — no one answers.
With our system, messages come from the member or parent’s real phone, so supporters recognize the number, trust the message, and can reply.
That personal touch builds trust and leads to much higher donation rates.
Some platforms promote high school payouts — but their donors face “optional” tips up to 15% or hidden fees up to 12%, cutting into results.
We keep it simple:
✅ No upfront costs
✅ A flat 86% payout — among the highest in fundraising
✅ One of the lowest, most transparent processing fees anywhere
📊 Want proof? See our platform comparison.
No. We never sell, rent, or share your donor data. All personal and team information stays secure and private — always.
Groups without a mobile app struggle to engage students. Relying on desktops or email slows momentum and limits sharing.
Our app puts everything in one place — personalized invite tools, live rankings, progress tracking, and prize standings — all from a phone.
When it’s that easy to participate, teams raise more. That’s why campaigns using our mobile app consistently outperform desktop-based platforms.
Ready to Start Your Fundraising Journey?
Have questions about TCPA compliance, donor fees, or how D2S can transform your fundraising? Schedule a free Zoom consultation with one of our experts today.
Start Your Fundraiser Now