# Reach and listen to communities at scale

> On-chat lets NGOs and nonprofits run surveys, share information and engage communities over SMS, WhatsApp and voice, including on basic phones. It is built on RapidPro, the open-source platform used by development programs.

URL: https://on-chat.live/solutions/nonprofits/
Last updated: 2026-10-27

Collect data, share timely information and keep beneficiaries engaged over SMS, WhatsApp and voice. Built on RapidPro, the open-source platform trusted by development programs worldwide.

- [Start your free 30-day trial](https://on-chat.live/org/signup/)

## Built for programs, not just marketing

On-chat supports program work with surveys on any phone, structured results, location data, offline collection and multi-language flows.

- **Surveys on any phone**: SMS and voice reach basic phones, while WhatsApp adds media for smartphones.
- **Structured results**: Answers are validated and stored as clean, exportable data.
- **Location data**: Match answers to administrative regions and map responses by area.
- **Offline data collection**: Field teams can run surveys on Android with the Surveyor app and sync later.
- **Scheduled information campaigns**: Send health, education or safety messages on a schedule to the right groups.
- **Many languages**: Translate flows so every participant gets questions in their own language.

## Get started in three steps

You register participants, design the survey with validation and then analyse results in real time or export them.

1. **Register participants**: Import contacts or let people join by sending a keyword.
2. **Design the survey**: Build questions with validation in the flow builder.
3. **Analyse results**: View results in real time and export to Excel.

Popular use cases: ('Household surveys', 'Program monitoring', 'Health information', 'Beneficiary feedback', 'Early warning alerts', 'Volunteer coordination').

## Frequently asked questions

These answers cover basic phones, offline collection, RapidPro and exporting results.

### Can people without smartphones take part?

Yes. SMS and voice work on any phone, with no app or internet needed.

### Can we collect data without network coverage?

Field teams can use the Surveyor Android app offline and submit when back online.

### What is RapidPro?

RapidPro is an open-source platform for building messaging and voice applications. On-chat is built on it and adds hosting, support, ticketing and more.

### Can we export survey results?

Yes. Results can be exported to Excel or pulled through the API into your own tools.

## Related solutions

- [SMS marketing](https://on-chat.live/sms-marketing/): Send bulk SMS, automate reminders and run two-way SMS conversations with any provider or your own Android phone. Start a free 30-day trial.
- [IVR and voice automation](https://on-chat.live/ivr-voice-automation/): Build IVR menus and automated voice calls with the same visual builder you use for chat. Play audio, collect keypad input and record responses.
- [Visual flow builder](https://on-chat.live/flow-builder/): Build dynamic conversation flows without code: branch on answers, use live data from your systems and run one flow on WhatsApp, SMS and voice.