The Power of Text Messaging for Animal Care Fundraising

Connecting with animal care donors through the right channel is essential for success. Although email and direct mail remain foundational, data shows us that text messaging is a compelling donor marketing tool.

With open rates often exceeding 98%, text messages provide an unparalleled opportunity to engage your supporters directly. TrueSense Marketing’s TrueText program harnesses this power, offering a dynamic and effective channel for animal care organizations to build stronger donor relationships and drive results.

Here are a few ways to maximize opportunities with texting:

1. Foster Two-Way Engagement with Interactivity

Effective fundraising is a dialogue, not a monologue. We empower your organization to move beyond one-way communication to foster genuine, interactive relationships with your supporters.

We use quizzes, polls, and surveys to delight donors and engage your audience’s passion for animals with fun and informative content.

• Quizzes: A quiz about animal facts or an organization’s history can be a lighthearted way to draw supporters in. The answers can link to an article on your website, increasing traffic and providing educational value.
• Polls: Ask your followers to help name a litter of puppies or choose the next theme for a volunteer event. This offer of interaction and participation makes donors feel valued and personally invested in your organization’s daily activities.
• Surveys: Surveys are a powerful tool for gathering supporter feedback and refining your communication strategy. A short, text-based survey is more likely to receive a response than a lengthy email questionnaire.

2. Create a Joyful Connection Through Fun

Animal care organizations have a unique advantage: a mission centered on the heartwarming and often amusing antics of animals. TrueText allows you to share this joy directly with your donors, creating positive associations and strengthening their emotional connection to your cause.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) capabilities within the TrueText program allow you to send more than just words. Video and image-based content can bring your mission to life in an immediate and powerful way.

• Video Messages: Send a short clip of a dog learning a new trick, a kitten playing with a toy, or a message of thanks from your staff.
• Puns and Memes: A well-placed animal pun or a custom meme featuring one of your shelter residents can brighten a donor’s day and make your organization more memorable and relatable.
• Happy “Tails”: Your greatest assets are the animals you save. Use TrueText to share “pupdates” on animals impacted through donor generosity. A picture of a newly adopted pet with their family is a powerful testament to the impact of a donor’s support.

3. Drive Direct Fundraising Impact

Although engagement and connection are crucial, the ultimate goal of a fundraising channel is to generate revenue. TrueText is designed to be a high-impact tool for driving direct giving.

Texting makes giving easy. By including a direct link to your mobile-optimized donation page, you can guide supporters from inspiration to action in a matter of seconds. The convenience of mobile giving removes barriers, leading to growing conversion rates compared to channels that require donors to switch devices or navigate complex websites.

The future of fundraising is increasingly mobile focused. This mobile-first approach is essential for all campaigns, but especially for time-sensitive offers such as GivingTuesday, emergency medical funds for a specific animal, or disaster-relief efforts.

The TrueText program offers a comprehensive solution for integrating SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS messaging into your fundraising ecosystem.

It provides a structured and innovative way to build interactive relationships, share joyful moments, and drive critical financial support for your mission.

By embracing the power of text, your animal care organization can cultivate a more engaged and generous donor base, ensuring that you have the resources you need to continue your vital work.