Senior Director, Digital Marketing Save the Children
In an era where attention spans are short and inboxes are overflowing, text messaging (SMS) has become one of the most powerful — yet underutilized — tools for nonprofit engagement and fundraising. With 98% open rates and near-instant response times, mobile messaging offers a direct, personal, and effective way to connect with your supporters, drive event participation, and boost giving.
In this session, you’ll learn how to strategically integrate SMS into your fundraising and event plans to complement email, social, and in-person efforts. We’ll explore the full lifecycle of a successful mobile program — from acquisition and list growth, to compliance and segmentation, to crafting compelling text appeals that inspire action. You’ll also discover how to use SMS for real-time event engagement, peer-to-peer outreach, and ongoing stewardship to build stronger supporter relationships.
Whether you’re new to mobile or looking to level up your existing program, this session will provide practical guidance, best practices, and real-world examples from campaigns and nonprofits leading the way. You’ll leave with actionable steps to:
- Grow and manage your SMS list the right way - Write effective, human-centered text messages that convert - Integrate SMS seamlessly into multichannel campaigns - Measure success and avoid common pitfalls
If you’ve ever wondered how to make texting a meaningful part of your strategy — not just another channel — this session is for you. Ideal for: Fundraising, digital engagement, and event professionals seeking to maximize supporter reach and results through mobile strategy.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn how to strategically integrate SMS into fundraising and event campaigns to increase engagement, participation, and giving.
Participants will learn best practices for creating inclusive, accessible, and audience-centered text messaging that resonates with diverse supporter communities.
Participants will learn practical steps to start, grow, and manage a mobile messaging program, including compliance, segmentation, and measuring success.
