By Akilah Massey, ASF
You may have heard that the Federal Election
Commission (FEC) recently decided that political campaigns’ political action committees, or PACs, can raise money by text message.
Yes, that’s right. In between confirming dinner plans or asking your husband to pick up an extra bag of salad at the grocery store, you can make a quick donation to support a political candidate.
Looking back, it’s not completely surprising. Our society has been trending this way for some time. For instance, in the wake of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the Red Cross received $22 million in $10 text message donations from the U.S – within a week.
So the idea that the cell phones most of carry around all day can be used to quickly support causes isn’t new. But the FEC’s decision illustrates that this method of giving is becoming even more ingrained in our society. Furthermore, it shows the increasing power that lies at the intersection of small-scale philanthropy and public interest. Continue reading
