All Articles By Kevin D. Hendricks

The Best First Text Message Your Nonprofit Can Send to New Donors

What should you say in your first text message to a new donor or supporter? Here's a proven four-step formula—and real examples—to build trust from the start.

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 19, 2025

Save Time With Integrations: Now Includes Hubspot & GoFundMe Pro

New integrations to save you time—no more exporting and importing CSV files. Sync your data and connect better.

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 4, 2025

10 Tips for Timing Texts

We’ll explore the nuances of timing and cadence for text message marketing, but more than anything you just need to send it.

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 7, 2025

Tap to Go: Another Way to Reach People

Nonprofits need multiple methods to connect. Our latest option? Tap to connect. Trigger an action—donate, volunteer, RSVP, etc.—with just the tap of a phone.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 31, 2025

It’s Scary to Hit Send: Overcoming Fear in Text Message Marketing

Hitting that ‘send’ button and firing off a text message to your supporters can be terrifying. We get it. Here are seven tips to help you overcome your fear.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 5, 2025

Clean Your Text Message Lists for a Sparkly Shine

Last year mobile carriers cracked down hard on spam and compliance. So it’s super smart to practice good list “hygiene” using Rally's mobile validation.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 13, 2025

Launching Your Rally Point Podcast

“Nonprofits need a reason to exist and people need a reason to care—you have to connect the two,” said James Martin, explaining the Your Rally Point name.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 5, 2025

Boost Text Message Subscriptions: Simple, Smart SMS Sign up Forms

Our simple text message sign up forms can boost your subscriptions. Bonus: They're smart, recognizing if someone is subscribing on a phone or computer.

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 22, 2025

15 Text Message Tips for Year-End Campaigns

As nonprofits work frantically on year-end campaigns, we've got 15 simple tips to help you make the most of a year-end text message campaign.

Kevin D. Hendricks

December 2, 2024

Your Nonprofit Text Messaging Playbook: Everything You Need to Get Started

Where do you start with texting? It can be overwhelming. No worries. We can help: We’ve got a playbook to help you get started and get results.

Kevin D. Hendricks

November 12, 2024

Everything You Need to Succeed: Free Nonprofit Social Media Graphics

With everything on your plate, you don’t have time to create graphics. So we did it for you. Social media graphics as part of our free playbook to get started.

Kevin D. Hendricks

October 26, 2024

How to Boost Year-End Giving With Text Messaging

You can maximize your year-end giving efforts with text messaging. Adding this highly effective channel to your marketing mix can increase your donations.

Kevin D. Hendricks

October 9, 2024

Rally Coach: Weekly Coaching Tips Via Text Message

See how texting can work for you with weekly coaching tips via text message. Simple, practical, encouraging. Consider the possibilities for your nonprofit.

Kevin D. Hendricks

December 12, 2024

Free Webinar: How to Move Email Subscribers to SMS

Free webinar with fundraising pro Claire Axelrad to talk about growing your audience and converting email subscribers to text message subscribers.

Kevin D. Hendricks

August 21, 2024

5 Ways Text Messaging Can Help Food Banks

A marketing shift to mobile might help your food bank reach people where they're at, connect with people, and boost your fundraising efforts.

Kevin D. Hendricks

August 7, 2024

Free Webinar: How Monthly Giving Helps Nonprofits Survive Hard Times

What do nonprofits do when economic uncertainty becomes certain? How do you weather hard times? It's simple: Monthly giving.

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 31, 2024

How Your Busy Nonprofit Can Start Texting by Recycling Social Media Posts

Text messaging is super effective. But how do you add one more thing to your plate? Simple: recycling. Repurpose your social media content as text messages.

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 19, 2024

6 Back to School Text to Give Ideas

As families prepare for back to school this fall, it’s an opportunity to use text to give to simplify the donation process and boost donations.

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 10, 2024

10 Fall Engagement Tips for Nonprofits Using Mobile Marketing

How can your nonprofit engage donors, volunteers, and supporters this fall? We'll explore back-to-school and fall themes you can use on mobile.

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 26, 2024

Beyond Text to Give: Keep Sending Text Messages

Text to give is a powerful way to boost donations. But what's next? That gift is the beginning of a relationship—you need to keep sending text messages.

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 3, 2024

Adapting to Change: A Case Study Webinar With RWJBarnabas Health

It’s vital for a nonprofit hospital that doesn’t turn people away to tell their story. Join our free webinar with RWJBarnabas Health to see texting in action.

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 19, 2024

How to Build a Text to Give Strategy That Wins

Don't just throw text to give against the wall and see what sticks. Think through a serious text-to-give strategy that can boost your fundraising efforts.

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 12, 2024

Rally Launches Video That Cares for Your Cause: Click to Donate Video™

A new video fundraising tool with in-video donate buttons, no ads, and no distractions—it’s video that cares about your cause.

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 23, 2024

How to Optimize Your Online Donation Form for Text to Give

Crafting a seamless text to give experience requires mobile-friendly forms, UI/UX optimization, and trust-building elements for recurring donations.

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 5, 2024

Spark Summer Giving: Unique Summer Fundraising Ideas

Explore 25 innovative summer fundraising ideas and tap into mobile technology to easily engage donors and enhance giving experiences.

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 15, 2024

Text to Give Strategy: 10 Tips to Optimize Your Keyword Choice

A strategic text to give keyword can boost your fundraising efforts. We'll explore tips, examples, and more for text message keywords.

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 22, 2024

Today’s Nonprofit Fundraising Event: What’s Working?

“Great events are made better when they share a story and have impact,” says nonprofit event expert Samantha Swaim. Join our webinar to host effective events.

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 1, 2024

5 Ways Data Append Can Enhance Your Contact List for Better Engagement

Data append is a digital marketing strategy to boost the quality of your existing data. We've got five ways it can help your nonprofit better engage people.

Kevin D. Hendricks

April 24, 2024

How to Convert Email Subscribers to Text Messages

How do I get email subscribers to move over to our text message list? Just ask. But give a reason and repeat the ask. We've got a guide and templates to help.

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 8, 2024

Case Study: Journey Home

“Text messaging is just another reminder to people that we're out here doing the work that we do," said Andrea Yeskey with Journey Home.

Kevin D. Hendricks

April 17, 2024

How to Create a Nonprofit Thank You Video That Boosts Engagement

Express gratitude, boost donor retention, and stand out by creating a nonprofit thank you video. We've got tips for making a quick and inexpensive video.

Kevin D. Hendricks

April 10, 2024

Why Donors Stop Giving and How Text Messaging Can Help

Why do donors dry up and stop giving? We’ve got the data, plus tips on how to use text messaging to build relationships and encourage repeat donations.

Kevin D. Hendricks

April 3, 2024

5 Ways to Use Peer-to-Peer Text Messaging

Texting works best when it’s personal. So we explore how to use peer-to-peer (P2P) text messaging to send more effective and personalized messages.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 27, 2024

How Starting and Stopping Your Text Message Marketing Can Tank SMS Delivery

If you start a campaign with a flurry of texts, then stop and do nothing for months, only to start up again—that's bad. We've seen delivery rates drop to 25%.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 20, 2024

How to Tell a Story With Text Messaging

Text message marketing can be more than reminders, notifications, and donate links—you can tell a story. But how do you tell a story in a text? We've got tips.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 13, 2024

How to Write Short, Powerful Text Messages

Text messaging is a short medium. We explore how to write short, impactful text messages that will help your nonprofit connect with donors and supporters.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 6, 2024

Easy Text Message Sign Up

Signing up for text messages should be simple—you want to minimize friction. We’ve rolled out a new website subscription method that makes it super easy.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 28, 2024

Text to Donate: A Case Study Webinar With My360Project

“The texting is incredible for us,” says Darryl Carnley with My360Project. “It's always an ROI." Our free webinar explores how text-to-donate can work for you.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 15, 2024

$600+ Average Donation Through Text to Give: How? Relationships

Last year the average donation through text to give on the Rally platform was over $600. Whoa. That’s huge. How's it happen? Spoiler alert: Relationships.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 21, 2024

How to Use Email and Text Messaging Together

We like to tout how text messaging is better than email (and it is), but rather than a competition, the two channels can work together.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 7, 2024

Text Messaging for Nonprofits: 42 Examples to Boost Engagement

Discover the impact of text messaging for nonprofits with 42 examples of messages you can send. Never wonder what to say again.

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 31, 2024

How to Mobilize Your Nonprofit Supporters in a Crisis

When bad things happen, nonprofits swing into action providing help in a crisis. But does your nonprofit have the infrastructure in place to respond quickly?

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 24, 2024

How to Boost Donor Retention: 5 Ways to Re-Engage Lapsed Donors

Donor retention is critical to effective fundraising. We explore five ways to reach out to past donors and bring them back, plus tips and strategies to help.

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 10, 2024

Thank You Time Machine: How to Re-Engage Lapsed Donors

A free webinar exploring how to use the power of memories to re-engage lapsed donors. It's low-hanging fruit that can boost your donations.

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 3, 2024

Case Study: RWJBarnabas Health

“If we have a cool video of the new helipad at one of the hospitals, we blast that link out via text message to all our donor lists." -Stacy Buono

Kevin D. Hendricks

December 13, 2023

Generational Changes: Don’t Be Left Behind in the Philanthropic Shift

With a coming $59 trillion transfer of wealth, the nonprofit world is about to see a seismic generational shift. Do you know how to reach the next generation?

Kevin D. Hendricks

November 8, 2023

What’s a Workflow?: How to Use Text Messaging to Prompt Action

In today's busy world, it's crucial to get people to act. Too often they scroll on by and don't come back. Rally’s workflow functionality can get them to act.

Kevin D. Hendricks

November 1, 2023

Calling With Rally: Make Phone Calls With Your Text Messaging Platform

Texting is a powerful way to connect, but sometimes you need the immediacy of a voice call. Rally makes that kind of personal connection simple and easy.

Kevin D. Hendricks

October 25, 2023

An Agile Storyteller: A Case Study Webinar With HEADstrong Foundation

We love seeing nonprofits nimbly react and maximize their impact. That’s HEADstrong Foundation. Our upcoming webinar explores their approach.

Kevin D. Hendricks

October 18, 2023

A2P vs. P2P Text Messaging: One Texting Service to Reach Them All

Texting works best when it's personal. So make sure your texting service allows peer-to-peer text messaging: You want to respond to replies.

Kevin D. Hendricks

October 11, 2023

3 Myths and 3 Truths About Text Messaging for Nonprofits

Text messaging is an extremely effective way to build relationships and connect with supporters. It’s perfect for nonprofits. So let's dispel the myths.

Kevin D. Hendricks

October 4, 2023

Mobile Fundraising Made Easy: 10 Ways to Boost Donations

Explore the impact of mobile fundraising strategies—see how mobile devices have changed the game and why mobile first strategies are crucial to boost donations.

Kevin D. Hendricks

September 20, 2023

Case Study: Pablove Foundation

“I got into fundraising and development work because I want to help others … Just seeing that genuine happiness makes my day.” -Breeana Gumpert

Kevin D. Hendricks

September 6, 2023

SMS Deliverability: Ensuring Your Text Messages Reach Their Intended Recipients

New carrier regulations that will have a major impact on SMS deliverability go into effect on Sept. 1, 2023. Join our webinar to be sure you're in compliance.

Kevin D. Hendricks

August 31, 2023

Text Messaging Campaign Timeline: Setup Can Take 6 Weeks

Ready to launch a text message campaign? You better start now. Setting up your text messaging campaign can take six weeks or more.

Kevin D. Hendricks

August 30, 2023

5 Ringless Voicemail Drops: Real World Audio Message Examples

Ringless voicemail drops are a powerful way to connect. Want to see it in action? Here are five examples of nonprofits using Rally's ringless voicemail.

Kevin D. Hendricks

September 8, 2023

Case Study: The Rock School for Dance Education

“Rally was instrumental in converting our donorship to digital and online donation. That was a big thing for us.” -Richard Clark

Kevin D. Hendricks

August 22, 2023

Reply With Rally: Text Messaging Is Conversational

If you're going to use SMS text messaging for a marketing campaign, you need to actually reply. Rally makes replies simple.

Kevin D. Hendricks

August 23, 2023

Effective Nonprofit Fundraising Strategy: Send Text Messages Year-Round

A lot of nonprofits rely on a single annual fundraiser. They ramp their communication up and down, going quiet for much of the year. But that's a bad idea.

Kevin D. Hendricks

August 9, 2023

Increase Your Impact: Join Rally at the Nonprofit Marketing Summit

Nonprofit marketing is hard work. So take a step back and learn from the pros. We're giving away VIP access and doing a session on supercharging text messaging.

Kevin D. Hendricks

August 2, 2023

10 Tips for Texting: A Case Study Webinar With Special Olympics VA

Our free webinar with Special Olympics VA gets into the nitty gritty of how a nonprofit makes text messaging work for them.

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 26, 2023

Grow Your Guest List: Promoting Your Next Fundraising Event

Rally founder James Martin is joining NXUnite for an upcoming webinar panel to help you make the most of your fundraising efforts and maximize every event.

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 20, 2023

How to Connect: Be Coherent, Consistent, and Human

Overnight success is overrated. You're more likely to break through with a coherent message, consistent communication, and human connection.

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 19, 2023

Case Study: Nonprofit Marketing Summit

“We wanted to bump that attendee number up without sending way too many emails.” - Maria Sadusky

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 12, 2023

Nonprofit Library Webinar: How to Supercharge Giving With Human-Centered Text Messaging

Rally founder James Martin is joining Nonprofit Library for a free webinar on how human-centered text messaging can help your nonprofit break through.

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 11, 2023

Don’t Let Fear Stop Your Marketing

We've all been there: Your new marketing strategy is all queued up and your mouse hovers over that ‘send’ button. Then fear kicks in. Here's how to overcome it.

Kevin D. Hendricks

July 5, 2023

GolfStatus Webinar: Engaging Fundraising Events That Raise More Money

Rally founder James Martin is joining a panel to discuss fundraising events in a free webinar brought to you by GolfStatus.

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 28, 2023

How to Promote a Fundraiser With Text Messaging

Use mobile marketing before, during, and after your next fundraising event to boost engagement and donations. It's a better way to promote a fundraiser.

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 21, 2023

5 Ways to Use Rally Insights

Rally Insights helps you know your audience better. Here are five ways to put that detailed demographic data to work on your next campaign.

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 14, 2023

How to Write Texts: Start With Pre-Written Text Message Templates

Many nonprofits struggle with how to write texts because they’re not sure what to say. We can help. We've got tips and pre-written templates that make it easy.

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 24, 2023

Case Study: Anchor Point

“All of our donors and volunteers that are close to us, they're totally in favor of texting.” -Marisa Tucker-Alleyne

Kevin D. Hendricks

June 7, 2023

How to Move Followers From Social Media to Your List

Many nonprofits have passive onlookers on social media, followers they have not yet activated. So how do you convert those social media likes to your list?

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 17, 2023

Case Study: The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division

“I like getting text messages from other nonprofits that show the impact of what my donation is doing” -Christina Holman

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 10, 2023

Fundraising Thermometer: Show Your Progress

Rally has a new fundraising thermometer to boost engagement for your next fundraiser, whether it's a live event or an ongoing campaign.

Kevin D. Hendricks

May 3, 2023

Don’t Decide for Donors

Too often nonprofits make decisions for their donors. They don’t test, try, or ask—they just say no. Too often they’re wrong. And they miss out.

Kevin D. Hendricks

April 28, 2023

Case Study: Denver Rescue Mission

“We’re just trying to get more creative with how we’re putting text campaign info out there.” -Alexxa Gagner

Kevin D. Hendricks

April 26, 2023

Invest in Your Platform: Social Media Is Fickle

Don’t put all your marketing eggs in someone else’s basket. Like social media, where they can change the rules. You need to invest in platforms you control.

Kevin D. Hendricks

April 19, 2023

How to Get Your Nonprofit Leadership on Board With Mobile

Mobile marketing is huge—but there's a generational gap. It can be hard to convince nonprofit leadership. We can help with downloads and pre-written letters.

Kevin D. Hendricks

April 12, 2023

Mobile Marketing Strategy for Nonprofits: It’s More Than Text Messaging

5 steps to creating a mobile marketing strategy. Because mobile is more than texting. But don't worry—mobile doesn't mean starting over from scratch.

Kevin D. Hendricks

April 5, 2023

Webinar: How AI Will Impact Your Nonprofit

Our webinar will explore AI tools and see them in action, then talk about impact for nonprofits and see how Rally is already using AI to make your life easier.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 22, 2023

Case Study: Special Olympics Virginia

“There’s so much noise in the email world; we needed a way to cut through.” -Aliza Tekavec

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 20, 2023

How You Can Use Rally’s AI to Make Texting Easier

Artificial intelligence (AI): revolutionary or robot uprising? AI could change how your nonprofit communicates. We explore how, including ways Rally uses AI.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 16, 2023

The Cost of Free: Why Nonprofits Need to Invest

Let’s look at the cost of free on nonprofit marketing budgets and why it can be smarter to pay for the right tool than try to save money with a free tool.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 8, 2023

CharityEngine: 5 Ways to Make Mobile a Strategy

More than just another tool, mobile should be a strategy: Use mobile to play a long game of donor retention and reduce friction when it comes to acquisition.

Kevin D. Hendricks

March 1, 2023

Case Study: HEADstrong Foundation

“We try to be on the cutting edge. We are small, but we want to be agile and really be able to communicate with our supporters wherever they are." -Jeff Baxter

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 21, 2023

MMS Guide for Nonprofits: How to Text Images and Video Right

Multimedia messaging service (MMS) can make texting even more powerful with images and video. But you need the right file size and dimensions.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 22, 2023

How to Do Multi-Touch, Multi-Channel Nonprofit Marketing

In today’s busy world, you need to reach people multiple times with the same message to get through. Our free webinar can help with multi-channel marketing.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 16, 2023

Ringless Voicemail: A New Way Supporters Can Hear Your Voice

There's a new way for your supporters to hear your voice: ringless voicemail. It's a simple way you can send a voicemail just like a text message.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 8, 2023

Nonprofit Marketing Unplugged: Rally Founder James Martin Shares His Insights

James Martin talks about the power of story, making content shareable, and getting people to respond in the moment on the Nonprofit Marketing Unplugged podcast.

Kevin D. Hendricks

February 1, 2023

What’s the Problem?: 10 Excuses That Keep Nonprofits From Texting

Let’s dive into some of the rationale that might be holding your nonprofit back from what can be an incredibly effective channel—text messaging.

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 25, 2023

Nonprofit Marketing Summit: 3 Strategies to Stretch Your Marketing Dollar

Nonprofit resources are limited and you need to make the most of them. This session will help you coordinate your efforts on email, mobile, and social media.

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 20, 2023

Case Study: AARE

“Rally has made an incredible impact in our communication techniques and our bottom line in a short period of time." -Andrew Arroyo, Chairman and CEO

Kevin D. Hendricks

November 2, 2022

Case Study: Coast Care Partners

“Rally is doing what no one else does, and their partnership with us is developing into what may become our primary sustainable competitive advantage.”

Kevin D. Hendricks

November 1, 2022

The Nonprofit Marketing Summit: Join Rally, Innovate, & Enter to Win a VIP Pass

It’s a three-day, virtual conference with more than 60 nonprofit professionals sharing practical strategies. It’s your chance to innovate. And it’s free.

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 11, 2023

2023 Nonprofit Conferences: Connect, Learn & Recharge

We have a list of nearly 70 nonprofit conferences in 2023. Find an event to help your nonprofit organization and boost the bar for 2023.

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 11, 2023

How to Focus and Overcome Too Little Time and Too Few Resources

We explore how your nonprofit can focus your efforts, cut back on the distractions, and make it work with the resources you have.

Kevin D. Hendricks

December 28, 2022

Gratitude Matters: How Nonprofits Can Say Thanks

Our elders taught us to say please and thank you, but gratitude is about more than mere manners for a nonprofit organization.

Kevin D. Hendricks

December 21, 2022

How to Activate Your Biggest Supporters With a Viral Loop

A viral loop is a new feature from Rally that makes it easy to empower your supporters to share your message. It can save time and be more authentic.

Kevin D. Hendricks

December 7, 2022

Be Human: How Your Nonprofit Can Connect

The average person scrolls through 300 feet of mobile content every day. So how do you break through? Be human.

Kevin D. Hendricks

January 4, 2023

How to Create a Nonprofit Thank You Video in 20 Minutes or Less

An excellent balance to all those year-end fundraising requests is a heartfelt thank you. We’ll show you how to create a simple and compelling thank you video.

Kevin D. Hendricks

November 16, 2022

Free Course: How to Use Text Messaging to Engage & Retain Donors