Mobile messaging firm Txtlocal has launched its Charity Shortcode, claiming that it enables UK charities, for the first time, to keep 100 per cent of a text donation, while benefitting from the lowest costs in the mobile market.

Txtlocal CEO Alistair Shortland says the solution is different from any other. He says: “Even though other companies claim to pass on 100 per cent of the donation to charities, there can often be hidden costs, such as large handling fees and set up charges. Txtlocal don’t operate like this. We want the charity to be the only beneficiary, so we have no handling fees and the lowest set-up fees and running costs in the UK today. This is the first time this service has been on offer for such a low price, and we aim to be the Third Sector’s leading SMS provider.”

Shortland adds that Txtlocal has made the sign-up process extremely slick, enabling charities get up and running in a matter of minutes.

St. Richard’s Hospice in Worcester has recently signed upto Txtlocal’s Charity Shortcode. Fundraising Manager Tricia Cavell says: “This is a really easy and fast way to make a donation and support our work, caring for patients and their families. So many people have a mobile phone now so it makes sense to ask for donations this way.”

Shortland spoke at the 2010 Institute of Fundraising South West Autumn Conference earlier this month, where the Charity Shortcode was well received. Marilyn Peachey, Chair of the Institute of Fundraising South West said: “We all know that the use of SMS to collect donations has been a proven success in recent years for mainstream charities such as Cancer Research and Children in Need. However, we are delighted that now large and small charities alike can afford to take advantage of services like this at such affordable prices. SMS is definitely the future for non-for-profit and charitable organisations.”

Txtlocal has produced a guide to clearly explain the costs and benefits of the Charity Shortcode solution. You can access the guide here.