Background

The Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF), headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, was founded in 2007 by veterans of the wireless industry who wanted to harness the immense power of wireless communications to empower non-profit organizations. The concept was simple: give the 250 million American wireless users a single “Mobile Giving Channel” over which they could receive and respond to appeals from worthy causes.

Specifically, MGF’s founders envisioned themselves as the organizational element that would permit charitable giving over the networks of US wireless carriers. Their goals were to develop and manage carrier standards for participation; ensure compliance with all laws and regulations concerning charitable giving; certify the participation of Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) and their campaigns; manage message delivery and billing solutions across all carriers; and act as a billing settlement and records clearinghouse between carriers and participating charities.

Since its launch, MGF has achieved 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt status, registered in all states to undertake charitable solicitations, enlisted numerous wireless industry participants, established relationships with major NPOs and won the support of wireless industry associations.

Board of Directors

  • Jim Manis, President and CEO, 1024 Wireless Services
  • Louis Gump, Vice President Mobile, CNN/Turner Broadcasting
  • Jeffrey Glass, Venture Partner, Bain Capital Ventures
  • Mark McDowell, Partner, Acta Wireless
  • Fabrice Sergent, CEO, Cellfish Media

Advisory Board

  • Tom Wheeler, former CEO of the CTIA and current partner of Core-Capital
  • Mike Buhrmann, Partner, 1024 Partners
  • Sally Martin, former Grants Manager, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Paul Reddick, CEO of Handmark and former Vice President of Sprint PCS
  • Lisa-Anne Uhrmacher, Sprint and Advisor to the Tug McGraw Foundation
  • Anne Schelle, Actium Advisors
  • Wayne Irwin, President of the Americas, Acision
  • Richard Siber, President & CEO, Siber Consulting
  • Paul Palmieri, President & CEO, Millennial Media

Foundation Management Team

  • Jim Manis, Chairman and CEO
  • Mike Silva, COO
  • Christian Zimmern, VP Partnerships and Programs
  • Scott Kepron, Acting Executive Director, MGF Canada
  • Ryan Finne, Marketing Manager, NPO Account Manager
  • Joe Manis, Account Manager
  • Theresa Hoy, Compliance Specialist
  • Becky Shanafelt, Accountant

Legal

  • Scott Delacourt, Wiley Rein

Public Relations