Beth Kanter

Beth Kanter is a consultant, author, influencer. virtual trainer & nonprofit innovator in digital transformation & workplace wellbeing.

Apple or Android? Which One is More Nonprofit Friendly?

Filed Under: Philanthropy

Which phone is more nonprofit friendly?

This must-read editorial by Jake Shapiro, the CEO of PRX, (the company behind the popular This American Life iPhone and Public Radio Player apps, argues that Apple’s policy barring solicitation of donations by nonprofit groups is a cop-out and blocks a major revenue stream for public radion (and other nonprofits)—whose content enhances the value of Apple’s devices.
His analysis takes us through Apple’s excuses for their  policy of prohibiting donations and points out why they are just excuses, not real reasons.  He examines possible solutions to the problem – like in-app donations – which unfortunately would mean that Apple would take a 30% cut!   Finally, he examines Apple’s lack of generosity as a failure of being a good corporate citizen.   Jake suggests that given Apple’s hardball stance with tech partners, nonprofits and public media would have a slim chance of reversing the decision.
Jake suggests that the question be posed directly to Steve Jobs:  “Where’s your genius when it comes to supporting nonprofits?”
He does point out that not of these challenges apply to the Android.
Update:  See also Uncultured’s “Does Steve Jobs Care About Extreme Global Poverty?”

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. El Steveo of Appledom is a selfish, spoiled brat.
    Thanks for exposing the SOB for what he really is.
    I will not become a serf in Appledom.

  2. Interesting post. This is never a question I would have asked, but now that I see it answered, it really makes me think… not just about this question, but about all brand decisions.

  3. Shapiro does make an excellent point regarding Apple’s unwillingness to allow one-click donations through Apps or even iTunes. However, Apple would have a responsibility for ensuring the authentication of nonprofits. If Apple prefers to avoid this step and invest their resources in other ways, why should we accuse them of not being philanthropic? Shapiro says that Apple has been called out as one of “America’s least philanthropic companies.” He linked to an article completely based on opinion and not fact. The author of the article states, “To my knowledge, there is not one nonprofit that has received any kind of Apple product discount or donation.” Shapiro cites an author who did not do her research and who neglected to mention Apple Education Grants, the $1 million given to firefighters’ families after 9/11, its support of the Presidents Technology Award, Product RED, etc.
    Okay, so the Apple refuses to allow philanthropic technology on the iPhone. People forget, though, that this revolutionary smart phone created a new way for people to be constantly connected through social media… and thus allowing us to use social media to meet up for a cause, invite Facebook friends to fundraisers, and tweet about the newest online contest.

  6. You have to remember the tech industry is a different world. Most of them seem to consider poor as making less then 100k a year even while working on 3rd world projects. I would recamend android to nonprofits for the simple fact that it’s open and you can always macgyver a workflow as situations change.

  7. When I was making the decision between the iPhone and Android, I went with Android because of the openness. There is a much smaller barrier to entry for creating Android apps and phones. While I love Apple products, I made this decision based on ethics and morals, and I’m with Google on that one (ok, AT&T’s service tipped me towards Verizon too 🙂

  8. KM – you say Apple would have to take “responsibility for ensuring the authentication of nonprofits” Guess what? That’s easy. It’s called GuideStar and it’s the database of US nonprofits. Lots of services use it to authenticate real organizations and Apple could easily plug into this.
    So… For sure they are just excuses. Go Android. Go Android..
    Michael

  9. Android now become most popular mobile phones and tablets OS. Most useful features are found in there. I think in the future, it can be replace for Windows. What do you think ?

Trackbacks

  7. […] people in the nonprofit community have questioned why Apple doesn't allow nonprofit apps to solicit donations from users. Those criticisms are best summarized in this recent editorial by Jake Shapiro of Public Radio […]