Corinne Ramey, MobileActive.org

Although nonprofits in the United States have been slower to embrace mobile phones for some purposes than the rest of the world, mobiles are catching on as a way to reach diverse populations across the U.S.

Nonprofits and government agencies are using mobiles for purposes including monitoring, education, and instant alerts and communication.

Lack of knowledge is a bigger problem preventing adoption than cost. Nonprofits interested in mobile need to think outside the box in terms of creative message content and new ways of reaching their audiences.

Amy Sample Ward, NetSquared

Recently, over 300 innovators and changemakers interested in the intersection of technology and social benefit work converged for a few days of idea-sharing, learning, and collaboration at NetSquared's annual conference. The 2009 N2Y4 Conference showcased the Featured Projects from NetSquared's Global Challenge focused on mobile technology.

There were 14 great teams pitching their Projects at the Conference, but only 3 voted as prize winners. Who are they and what are they working on? Find out!

Matt Wilson, Mobile Commons

With all the communications sent to the Hill today, adding a voice advocacy program, backed up with mobile, can lead to increased visibility for your organization's grassroots lobbying efforts.

Organizations are also using mobile advocacy to build their lists and add a new communications channel to drive response rates to other types of advocacy and online fundraising.

Karl Hedstrom, NTEN

Every year at NTEN's annual Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC), one of our major goals is to collect enough feedback from you, the attendees, to make our future conferences even better.

Historically, we've accomplished this through the tried and true method of paper evaluations. At the 2009 NTC, we decided to give this system a major tech overhaul by implementing a mobile text messaging version of this: the Mobile Evaluation.

We're fairly certain that if an organization with 5 full-time employees can pull off a full-scale mobile program in just one month, you can, too. Here's the skinny:

Katrin Verclas and Corinne Ramey, MobileActive.org (with Michael Stein)

Mobiles are becoming increasingly intertwined in Americans' daily lives: 75% of Americans have their mobile phones on and within reach during waking hours, and 59% wouldn't lend their mobile to a friend for a day. Fifteen percent of survey respondents even said they've answered their mobile phone during sex.

The mobile landscape truly is primed for NGOs. Nonprofits can tap into the power of mobiles and learn from many of the mobile marketing techniques that are already being used in the commercial sector.

The first major U.S. fundraising effort via SMS/text messaging garnered over $10,000 from a 10 second commercial spot. While text message fundraising is now common outside the U.S., and has made brief appearances during natural disasters inside the States, this initiative by the United Way of America and its partners was the first to offer this new avenue of contribution for donors to give to everyday causes.

Even with the success, there were many things United Way learned from the project.

Last week, I had the great pleasure of visiting Austin, TX for the TIG conference. I gave a presentation on the power of municipal wireless networks and mobile devices -- two great flavors that are going to taste even better together!

James spent some time heckling me from the front row, but he finally took pity and let me finish. Turns out, it was a good presentation for him!

Here are my slides, should they be useful to you. Props to MobileCommons for letting us do the demo.

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