6 Charities That You Can Just Text To Donate

Back in early 2010, when Haiti was devastated by a massive earthquake, text-to-donate campaigns helped raise the amazing amount of $10 million pretty quickly. Though that campaign is no longer active (you can still mail cash donations), other donation-by-SMS campaigns now exist to provide disaster relief to Japan and the tsunami-hit Pacific. There are many additional non-profit organizations that make use of these text-to-donate campaigns.

Why not? The donation process is fast and easy: Once you text the appropriate number, in most cases, you’ll need to confirm your donation with another text message. Finally, you’ll see the charge on your next cell phone bill. That’s it. Read on to see the major charities that you can help with a simple text message (SMS fees still apply).

Red Cross

Most people have probably heard about this campaign, so as a reminder, US residents can text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. During the donation process, you’ll be presented with the option to specify whether your gift should go to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific, or to support the Red Cross efforts. Participating carriers include all four major US carriers, such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and other regional carriers, like Virgin Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Cricket. Most wireless carriers allow you to donate up to $30 per month to a specific keyword, like REDCROSS.

Susan G. Komen For The Cure

Formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, this organization is the largest and most widely known breast cancer organization that invests in breast cancer research, education, advocacy, health services and social support programs in the US. It’s well-known for holding large fundraising events, like the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure, which take place worldwide. To donate $10 to this organization, text “KOMEN” to 90999. You can donate up to 5 times per monthly billing cycle.

Water.org

Text “POOPIN” (yes, you read right) to 27722 to give $10 to Water.org, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide aid to regions in developing countries that have no access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The organization, co-founded by "Matt Damon", aims to bring adequate, safe drinking water worldwide.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation

Founded in 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation aims to give hope and joy to children who have life-threatening, degenerative or malignant medical conditions by granting them wishes, like meeting a celebrity, or getting a princess bedroom. To donate $5 to this organization, text “WISH” to 90999.

Keep A Child Alive

You can text “ALIVE” to 90999 to donate $5 to Keep A Child Alive, a non-profit organization that aims to provide medicine to families with HIV and AIDS in Africa and India. It’s partly founded by R&B singer, Alicia Keys, who was involved in the Digital Death campaign, along with Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest and other celebrities, where they signed off Twitter and Facebook (digitally dead) so fans could donate to this charity in honor of World AIDS Day and in order to reach a $1 million fundraiser goal.

Operation Smile

Formed in 1982, Operation Smile is a not-for-profit medical service organization aiming to provide cleft lip and palate surgeries to children and adolescents across the globe. $240 can fund a surgery and change the life of a child with cleft palate forever. That’s way less than an iPad. Text the keyword “SMILE” to the short code 90999 to donate $5. (Sauce)