Good Apple?

I quite like my iPhone – I don’t love it, which probably places me in a minority group for iPhone owners.

One of several things that bugs me about it is that they don’t allow charities to build in a direct “donate” button to their apps.  Ever wondered why there aren’t so many charity apps?  This is why

Back in June, eBay asked them to allow the ‘Give at checkout’ function on their app, but it doesn’t seem that they persuaded them.  PayPal have managed to get something set up, but it doesn’t give charities the opportunity to engage with the donors.  PayPal argue their method means you won’t have “to sign up or worry about being overloaded with marketing materials afterwards”, which sounds nice, but when you donate you want to know it actually DID something.  Charities are getting better at communicating with the people that help them (I admit, we’re not perfect yet), and I think that not having access to one button iPhone donations makes it more difficult.

This may all be about to change though.  Beth Kanter, US based non-profit social media expert has started a campaign, and I’d like to ask you to join it, by

signing this online petition.

Beth says that if things don’t change, she’ll be switching to android, and I have to say that I was quite impressed by the Windows phone (as much as I don’t like saying those words).

You might not switch phones over it, but please read the message I’ve copied in below, and

sign the online petition.

Subject: Beth Kanter 'calls out' Steve Jobs on Apple's iPhone donation policy

 

 

'Stop being a grinch' and be more charityifriendly, says US social non-profit media expert tells Apple boss

Here's a copy of a message I sent to Mr. Jobs with my holiday wish: Make It Easy For People To Donate To Charities With Their iPhones. If you agree, you can send Mr. Jobs a message too by signing this online petition. If Apple doesn't stop being a Grinch to non-profits and change its iPhone donation policy, I'm switching to the Android which way more voluntary-sector friendly.

Dear Mr Jobs,

Apple is a leader when it comes to technology innovation and I have been an Apple fan for years, but at the moment, your company is also making it harder to do good in the world.

Specifically, your iPhone policy discourages people from donating to non-profit organizations. And when non-profits are struggling to raise money for their important programs and donors want to help, why make it so hard for those us who want to iGive to charities on our iPhones?

Voluntary sector organisations here in the UK play a critical role in society and NGOs around the world for that matter, and they need to be able to connect to their supporters using the tools those supporters find most comfortable. At the same time, people want easy ways in which they can help the organizations they believe in. In difficult times, this support is even more important.

By restricting donations from the iPhone so severely, you are suppressing philanthropy on the iPhone: creating a barrier between your customers and the non-profits they care about, hurting the ability of both to create positive change, and stifling philanthropic innovation. That's not being a good corporate citizen!

I understand that Apple does not "want to be held responsible for ensuring that the charitable funds make it to the final destination," but there are technical and logistical solutions to this dilemma. Other companies are using them, and their customers respond every day with their wallets.

Please change your policy on donations: free us to give from our iPhones with one click. By doing so, you empower your customer to change the world: through the good work done by non-profits everywhere.

Sincerely,

Beth Kanter
CEO Zoetica and Co-Author Networked Non-profit

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