What is the SMS Donation System?
The SMS donation system is a method of collecting donations through SMS messages sent to short numbers for social responsibility projects, natural disasters, and similar aid campaigns. According to Articles 3 and 5 of the Law No. 2860 on Fundraising, associations, foundations, and public benefit organizations with legal permits can use this method. During disaster periods, official institutions also activate the SMS donation system in state-supported aid campaigns.
How to Start an SMS Donation Campaign?
- Make sure your association's or foundation's bylaws or charter contain a provision allowing fundraising.
- Obtain permission to collect donations from the governor's office or district governor's office of the province or district where you operate, in accordance with Law No. 2860.
- Sign a contract with a mobile operator (Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom) and have a special short number assigned to your campaign.
- Share the short number with your members, donors, and in campaign communication materials.
- Track the number of SMS messages sent by the operator and the collection reports; at the end of the period, record the transferred amount in the accounting records.
- At the end of the campaign, report the total donation amount and the number of SMS messages sent, and use this data in planning the next campaign.
What are the benefits of the SMS donation system?
- Double-sided verification: incoming donations are recorded separately by both the mobile operator and the institution.
- Speed and accessibility: it enables donations to be collected in seconds, especially in disaster and emergency relief campaigns.
- Accounting integration: collected amounts are instantly reflected in the records, reducing the need for manual reconciliation.
- Transparent reporting: The operator provides regular SMS and collection reports, enabling the measurement of campaign success.
- Increased trust: a documented and audited process strengthens donor trust.
What to Consider When Choosing an SMS Donation System?
| Criterion | Why it matters |
| Legal permission status | Campaigns cannot be conducted without permission from the governor's office/district governor's office under Law No. 2860. |
| Operator pricing | The transaction fee charged for each SMS varies depending on the operator and campaign type; the net collection rate should be determined in advance. |
| Reporting frequency | The frequency with which the periodic reports provided by the operator will be matched with accounting records must be determined. |
| Accounting integration | Transferring donation amounts to the accounting system automatically, rather than manually, reduces the risk of errors. |
| Campaign duration and upper limit | Governor's permission is granted with a specific time limit and total amount restriction; the campaign should be planned accordingly. |
An Example from an Association: Post-Earthquake SMS Donation Campaign
An association that launched an emergency aid campaign after the earthquake shared its short number on social media with permission from the governor's office. Thousands of SMS donations came in within the first 48 hours; the daily reports sent by the operator were automatically matched with the accounting module, and the team did not need to manually track them in Excel.
“As the number of donors increases, manual tracking becomes impossible; that’s exactly when the system comes in,” says the association’s accounting manager.
Aidango is an association ERP software with over 200 modules that manages membership, dues, donations, and accounting processes for associations and foundations on a single platform. The SMS donation module uniquely matches each incoming donation with member and donor records; a total collection report can be obtained with a single click when the campaign ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the SMS donation system work?
The system is based on the principle of automatically transferring the specified amount to the institution via SMS messages sent to short numbers defined by mobile operators. The transaction is reflected in the operator's bill, and the institution also keeps its own record.
Do I need permission to use the SMS donation system?
Yes. According to Law No. 2860 on Fundraising, it is mandatory to obtain permission from the relevant governor's office or district governor's office to collect donations.
Is the SMS donation system free?
Yes, the mobile operator deducts a transaction fee for each SMS sent; the remaining amount is transferred to the organization at specified intervals. Pricing varies depending on the operator and the type of campaign.
Is the SMS donation system safe?
Yes; donations are recorded and regularly audited by both the operator and the institution, which increases transparency.
Who can use the SMS donation system?
Legally permitted associations, foundations, and non-profit organizations, as well as official institutions in disaster situations, can use this method.
Do you want to manage the SMS donation process end-to-end for your association or foundation? Try Aidango's donation management module for 15 days free of charge, without requiring credit card information.
Related pages: Donation Management · Online Donations & Payments