By Official release
Posted Dec 15 2008 2:33PM
ATLANTA -- Taking a leadership role in the move to incorporate mobile technology into the world of philanthropy, the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Inc. announced it will launch a new program designed to capture donations via text message. To power its mobile platform, the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation has partnered with Denver based Mobile Accord, Inc., the premier provider of mobile technology to the non-profit sector.


The mobile giving channel is supported by AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile and US Cellular representing the vast majority of US mobile users.
The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Inc. is the one of the first non-profits in the United States to embrace the mobile giving channel allowing donors to connect with the organization and contribute funds through text messaging.
Cell phone users will have the chance to instantly react to fundraising appeals and confirm their donation by simply sending a text message. The donation is charged to the donor's regular monthly cell phone bill and is separated from other transactions and identified as a non-taxable donation.
"Virtually anyone with a mobile phone can make a donation to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Inc. by sending the text message CONGO to 90999 to make a $5.00 (five dollar) donation. This new technology will allow the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to connect with constituents, acquire new donors, and dramatically extend our overall reach through this vital new channel," said Dikembe Mutombo, Chairman and President.
The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Inc. will launch the mobile giving program in November and continue to integrate mobile into its marketing, advertising and community outreach efforts to help improve the health, education and quality of life for the people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mobile Accord spokesperson Tony Aiello, SVP Business Development states, "We have worked hard over the last 2 ½ years to accomplish this goal and continue to lead the way by developing innovative technology, educating nonprofits about the power of the mobile channel and working with US wireless carriers to embrace a framework for mobile giving that works for donors and charities alike.
US Wireless Market Stats:
* 240 Million US Mobile Subscribers
* 30 Billion Text Messages sent per month in US
* 95% of mobile phones support text messaging
"Mobile technology sets the stage for true impulse giving by removing traditional barriers such as communicating credit card information or writing a check. Cell phone users are empowered to act anytime, anywhere at the moment an appeal has top of mind awareness," said James Eberhard, Chairman of Mobile Accord, Inc.
About The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Inc.
Atlanta-based Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Created in 1997, the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation is attempting to eradicate many childhood diseases that have virtually disappeared in developed countries while those diseases are still life threatening to children in the Congo everyday. The Foundation strives to accomplish this goal through an emphasis on primary health care and disease prevention, the promotion of health policy, health research and increased access to health care education for the people of the Congo. The new Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital opened in the Congo in December 2007.
For more information please contact Susan Johnson, Executive Director at 404-262-2109 or email mutombo@dmf.org you can also visit the Web site at www.dmf.org
About Mobile Accord
Denver-based Mobile Accord, Inc. provides turnkey tools for organizations to leverage the power of mobile technology using SMS (text messaging), PSMS (premium SMS), and mobile content (ringtones, wallpapers, etc.). Mobile Accord can easily make any part of an organization's existing outreach efforts mobile - for example, distributing urgent action alerts, volunteer opportunities, or donation via text message. As the first company in the United States to offer mobile tools specifically built for non-profit organizations, Mobile Accord is unique in its ability to facilitate wireless fundraising and constituent outreach campaigns while also helping clients understand the immense power of mobile technology.
For more information on Mobile Accord please contact Tony Aiello, Senior Vice President, Business Development at 866-720-3350 or email to taiello@mobileaccord.com.


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