a peek inside the fishbowl

I’ve always had a special interest in using web technologies to raise awareness (and funds) for non-profits. It might be geeky, I know, but the idea of reaching out to potential donors and spreading the word in this way – a.k.a. harnessing the POWER OF THE INTERWEBS FOR GOOD – well, it gives me a little thrill.

That’s why I was so excited when this appeared in my Inbox the other day.

The upcoming University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s annual telethon on Sunday, March 28, 2010 (9:00am–6:50pm EST) on CTV is offering viewers the opportunity to donate using their iPhone and a mobile barcode payment system created by a Canadian company, MobioID.

(Sidebar: it occurs to me that this is shopping of the future. Scan and buy. Scan and buy. My head is spinning.)

For the first time in history, viewers will be able to make a real-time donation right off of the TV screen using Mobio.

• During the telethon, a customized Mobio barcode will be displayed on screen to allow iPhone users to scan and donate instantly.
• If donors miss the telethon, they can visit the Ottawa Hearts or MobioID website and scan the barcode anytime.
• Barcodes will be distributed in local publications as well as over Twitter, Facebook and email for “anytime” donations before, during and after the event.

Isn’t that cool? This is a significant development for the not-for-profit sector.

Not only does it give them the ability to reach a younger (perhaps untapped?) audience, but it increases their reach (and ease of donation) exponentially. Mobio barcodes can be used on Twitter, Facebook, and email, and it makes ongoing donations possible even after the event. Once a custom barcode is created it can be used indefinitely in print, advertising, TV, T-shirts etc. (!)

Recent earthquake relief efforts for Haiti indicate there is a demand for quick and easy ways for donors to give. And this is it.

I was sent my own little bar code too. Want to make a donation and try it out? If you have an iPhone, download the Mobio app from the iTunes store (it’s free right now), register, and use the app to snap a photo of the image on the right.

It is incredibly quick and easy to give. It took me about 45 seconds to make the donation to the Heart Institute (that is, after downloading the app and registering, which took about 5 minutes). AMAZING.

Think of the applications. You can donate on a bus in the middle of the night, while you’re at grandma’s house, walking the dog, reading your email, reading a BLOG – anywhere.

The future is now. I am so excited. I feel like I’m in an episode of Star Trek. WHERE IS MY JET PACK.

Let me know if you try this out!