I wasn’t made aware of this issue until very recently – not sure how I missed it.
Were you aware of some of Apple’s policies that, some say, seriously challenge the ability for non-profit mobile developers and businesses to develop apps? Essentially they don’t allow “donations” through apps, and we know that “donations” are how a lot of non-profits make their money:
And Apple is not just preventing app developers from putting “donate” buttons or any language suggesting that users contribute to charitable causes; it is also cutting off nonprofits from the most powerful direct-payment platform in the mobile marketplace. 1-Click payments are transformative for direct giving, and Apple has tens of millions of users with stored credit cards already accustomed to instant purchases—over 100 million if you add in iTunes users worldwide.
Doh.
Thoughts? I’m still digging through some of the long-form rules and regulations but I’d thought I’d bring it up here as I search and research.
Scott Magdalein says
We’ve cautiously added the ability to donate inside the iPhone and iPad Bible apps and haven’t had backlash from Apple yet. But, time will tell.
steve says
Is Apple trying to prevent having a bunch of free apps that developers are still getting paid for via donations? I’m assuming the developer or ministry can still have donation options on their website, just not within the app. I look forward to hearing more about this one.
Chris Dattilo says
This has been a very bad situation. Thanks for giving it some press.
Here is the dilemma of the Christian nonprofit I work with (Heartbeat International). We bring in speakers to college campuses to share about “regretting their abortion”, or of how as a teen they felt alone and had no where to turn when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Students generally want to give $5-$10 to Option Line (a 24 hour answer line that helps those facing unplanned pregnancies). An app or one-click link would be PERFECT.
Text 2 Give is to pricey for an organization like Heartbeat (at least right now). We thought of designing a mobile web page using a QR code. Would work great, but can you imagine a student typing in a Credit Card, CSV, Name Address, etc. in a mobile phone for a $5.00 give? Won’t happen.
Anyway, long way of saying Apple could help out thousands of smaller nonprofits if they’d loosen up.
Thanks again for highlighting!