CNN Impact Your World Raised $2.2M for Maui Wildfire Relief with Pledge

$2,200,0000
Donations Raised in Total
24,330
Donations from Global Donors

Overview

In response to the 2023 Maui & Hawai'i wildfires, CNN Impact Your World partnered with Pledge to launch a disaster relief fundraiser supporting nonprofit organizations on the ground. Within days, the campaign raised over $2.2M, with Pledge being one of the first platforms to send funds directly to nonprofits providing relief efforts. Through QR codes, text-to-donate, and online donation forms across CNN's broadcasts, articles, and social media, viewers were able to donate easily. The program ultimately supported 21 nonprofits, delivering critical aid where it was needed most.

The Challenge

On August 8, 2023, a wildfire erupted near Kula, Maui, rapidly becoming the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in over a century. The destruction claimed lives and ravaged homes, businesses, cultural landmarks, including Lahaina, the popular Maui tourist destination and former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. As the scale of the disaster became clear, CNN looked for a way to engage its global audience to provide immediate relief for the affected communities. CNN Impact Your World reached out to Pledge with the goal of launching a fundraising campaign that could swiftly mobilize support for vetted nonprofits on the ground. CNN needed a secure, efficient, and multi-platform solution to enable viewers to donate via television, digital content, and social media. They also wanted to ensure that funds were quickly and safely distributed to nonprofits to have the most immediate impact.

The Solution

Fundraiser Page Donation Form Text-To-Donate

CNN Impact Your World turned to Pledge to launch an integrated disaster relief campaign, utilizing QR codes, text-to-donate, and donation forms across on-air broadcasts, online articles, and social media. Pledge's Free the Fee model allowed every dollar raised to go further, providing an additional $70,000 that otherwise would have gone to credit card processing & transaction fees.

Notably, the QR code shared on-air generated remarkable results, driving a 17,600% conversion rate, showcasing its efficiency in engaging donors! With Pledge's secure, user-friendly platform, donors were able to contribute quickly and easily, raising over $2.2M from 24,330 donors to support nonprofits such as the Maui Food Bank, Maui Humane Society, and the American Red Cross.

This partnership was not only one of the first to get funds on the ground for Maui nonprofits but also maximized impact by directing donations where they were needed most, ensuring relief efforts could be mobilized quickly.

Maui Food Bank

Pledge was able to deliver us the largest donation from the mainland during our biggest time of need, helping us to provide thousands of meals when Maui needed it most.