Donate by text is probably one of the most unique and helpful mobile innovations to come around in the last year or so. I first learned of it in December when listening to my weekly podcast of This American Life. Ira Glass implored listeners to donate just $5 to help keep the podcast on the air. What made it so great and easy to do, however, was that I could donate at that exact minute - while I was out walking around a farm in Broomfield, Colorado with only my iPhone and a few cows to keep me company - and the charges would simply go on my monthly mobile phone bill, which is set up to automatically deduct from my bank account. No remembering to sign online when I got home. No entering of my credit card number into yet another website. Simple, easy, and safe.

This innovation has also recently been used to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. I’ve been meaning to donate since it happened, but kept forgetting until I found out I could donate via text. I sent them two messages and added my own meager $20 to the relief. I imagine many people have done similarly, people who in the past were well intentioned but never quite remembered to go to the Red Cross’ website after a long day at the office. So far the texting generation has raised $22 million to support the disaster relief! And if you’d prefer to donate to another organization, they accept text donations, as well. Click the link above to be taken to an article with more information.