4 ways nonprofits are showing leadership by adding apps to their marketing strategy:

Since 2013, the number of users accessing the Internet from Smartphones and tablets has surpassed those using computers. The impact this change has in the marketing landscape presents enormous opportunities for biomedical nonprofits to capitalize on new fundraising opportunities. And while the integration of mobile apps is fairly new, thought-leading brands that jump onboard can reach broader audiences with greater impact and funding programs instantly. Here are a few examples of how some nonprofits have successfully added mobile apps to their fundraising strategy:

1. Charity Miles is an app platform that collaboratively attracts corporate sponsors to charities while raising awareness and empowering people to make a difference. Traditional nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research have used apps like Charity Miles that connect traditional charities with corporate sponsors while promoting healthy living. Volunteers simply download the GPS-tracking app and press go. It monitors the miles they walk, hike, run or bike and the sponsors pledge up to 25 cents for every mile they commute.

2.Charity: Water, a nonprofit that brings safe drinking water to developing nations, uses iPad technology to connect with major donors and raise funds instantly. In this case, Charity: Water, created a 30-minute donor pitch that comes alive through movement, videos, photos and detailed graphics that allow a viewer to experience an impactful presentation in their own time as they browse. Charity: Water has also enabled donors to take instant action and contribute through Square.

iPad apps like this can enable leadership marketing by helping biomedical nonprofits tell in-depth stories around their work and the challenges ahead in ways that are uniquely engaging. As with any donor outreach program, keeping your audience’s attention is key. iPad apps present new opportunities for investors to experience the impact of biomedical research.

3. Square mobilizes fundraising goals by enabling institutions to collect contributions virtually anywhere – even on the street. This technology allows immediate responders like the Red Cross to collect donations while working a disaster scene such as Hurricane Sandy. Biomedical nonprofits like ReMaine Healthy can benefit from the immediacy and grassroots nature of Square. In an effort to build general awareness for their cause to help fight kidney disease, ReMaine Healthy sponsors summer road races throughout Maine. With Square they can accept credit card donations straight off the street via a Smartphone or iPad. Implementation is pretty simple. Once a Square account is activated, the app is downloaded to a mobile device, and Square automatically ships out a free card reader.

Thought-leading biomedical nonprofits that are early adopters and innovators in mobile app fundraising have an opportunity to really stand out. Mobile apps can provide more efficient and robust avenues for investors to learn about biomedical institutions and their research. And most importantly, they open doors for donors to become involved instantly by funding this important work.

If you have questions about using mobile apps for your biomedical nonprofit, feel free to contact me directly at 866-960-9220 or email karan@cushmancreative.com.

Additional Resources:

Are You Considering a Mobile App for your Nonprofit?
http://www.fundraisingip.com/fundraising/are-you-considering-a-mobile-app-for-your-nonprofit/

Using the iPad for Fundraising
http://storydesk.com/2012/05/using-the-ipad-for-fundraising/

Square
http://Squareup.com

Apple’s Short List of Current Medical Apps
https://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/ios-medical/id6020?mt=8

Mobile Biomedical Resources
http://libguides.einstein.yu.edu/content.php?pid=126883&sid=1089112