Text messaging a donation

Think back to the December 2004 tsunami. The images of families being torn apart by the tides, people being washed out to sea, the destruction of homes and businesses throughout Southeast Asia. It was pretty difficult to watch, especially with it being replayed over and over on the 24-hr news networks.

If you were inclined to make a donation, where did you turn? Probably the Internet, maybe a phone number if you found an 800# to call.

Would you have ever thought of sending a text message to donate?

Throughout Asia and Europe, there were millions who sent donations this way. In Italy, France, and Portugal, telecom companies donated 1 Euro per text message in the time following the response. An interesting gimmick to get more to use the feature, but Asia actually was conducting fundraising campaigns via text message

In Korea and Japan, individuals could text an amount to a certain phone number and that amount would be donated in their name to the International Red Cross. The donation would then appear on their next cellphone bill. An interesting approach to fundraising, especially given the crisis nature of the tsunami.

What do you think? Is this a positive method to raise funds? Do you see any downsides to it?