Support your favourite cause with every phone call

By Stuart Corner
Sunday, 25 February 2007 13:08

Opinion and Analysis

An idea that seems to be gaining acceptance in the US is to sign up for a phone service linked to a charity or political cause which benefits every time you make a call.

The-Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) has announced the launch of a wireless service that gives it an impressive 10 percent of all users' revenues. The service is provided by a company called Working Assets which operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) on the Sprint network.

And for PPFA the deal offers more than just revenue: it provides an avenue to contact its supporters. In every monthly bill, Planned Parenthood Wireless subscribers receive information about how they can get more politically involved, including a 'Free Speech' offer of up to 30 free minutes of calls a month for members to speak out on women's health issues.

The service is also able to facilitate communication between members, further aiding the cause of the organisation. It offers free calls between Planned Parenthood Wireless members.

Working Assets was established in 1985 "to help busy people make a difference in the world through everyday activities like talking on the phone." Every time a customer uses one of Working Assets' donation-linked services (wireless, long distance or credit card), the company donates a portion of the charges to non-profit groups "working to build a world that is more just, humane and environmentally sustainable." To date, Working Assets' members have generated more than $US50 million for progressive causes.

The service for the PPFA seems to be the first dedicated to a specific group or cause, but clearly the idea could be extended to any charitable or political lobbying organisation.