The Phone Charger Challenge: Turn Idle Time into Impactful Growth

Have you ever thought about how much time you spend on your phone, casually scrolling through content that doesn't add real value to your day?

Ben Meer—a master of time-saving tips—has a great idea called the "Phone Charger Challenge" that could be a game-changer for those who want to make their time count. For fundraisers, saving just 10 minutes a day could lead to a significant impact—like doubling your gifts from 60 donors.

The Phone Charger Challenge

The concept is simple. Every night, when you plug in your phone to charge before going to bed, commit to making small but meaningful actions that add value to your life. The Phone Charger Challenge has a three-step process that can help you reclaim wasted time and turn it into something productive.

Step 1: Identify a New Phone Charger Location Outside Your Bedroom

Pick a new place to charge your phone—outside your bedroom or, at least, far away from your bed. Physically moving your charger is a simple but effective behavioral hack. Many of us are already in the habit of charging our phones before bed, and relocating the charger helps leverage our desire for a fully charged phone the next day to encourage positive habits. By placing your phone out of reach, you significantly reduce the temptation to engage in late-night scrolling.

Step 2: Determine Your Alarm Tool

If you use your phone as an alarm, this step is crucial. Keep using your phone as your alarm but set it in the new charging location outside your bedroom or at least far from your bed. This simple shift means that when the alarm goes off, you will need to physically get out of bed to turn it off. This tactic uses what behavioral economists call “normative leverage”—forcing you to align your behavior with your values. Once you are up, it is easier to stay up and begin your day positively.

Step 3: Set an Implementation Intention (What Will You Do When Your Alarm Goes Off?)

Now that you are out of bed, decide what you will do next. This is where you set an implementation intention—what productive action will you take once your alarm goes off? James Clear of Atomic Habits fame defines this as a plan you make beforehand about when and where to act. For example: “If the alarm sounds, then I will [insert proactive action].” You could read for ten minutes, write in a gratitude journal, drink a glass of water, or make your bed. The key is to avoid falling into the trap of mindlessly scrolling. By having a proactive action planned, you set yourself up for a productive start.

Step 4: Test-Run This Wakeup System for Three Days

Commit to testing this new wakeup system for three days. It’s all about laying a foundation brick by brick. The goal is to establish a strong morning habit that will support the rest of your day. Without a plan, our mornings can easily devolve into reactive responses to external demands. By implementing this challenge for just three days, you’ll be able to assess how much more intentional and positive your mornings become.

The 10-Minute Fundraising Boost

Now let’s talk about fundraising. How does this idea translate into larger donations and a stronger supporter base for your organization? Here’s how:

Instead of spending ten minutes mindlessly scrolling, take that time to intentionally connect with one of your donors.

Identify 60 donors in your database who you know are not giving to their full potential but have a strong interest in your cause. These might be donors who have given sporadically or smaller amounts over the years. By saving ten minutes a day, you can call one donor, five days a week, to meaningfully engage with them—without asking for anything.

That’s 20 donors every month and 60 donors every quarter! 

Each of those touchpoints is a chance to build a deeper relationship. And if you keep in touch with those 60 people each quarter, imagine where you could be in a year. The bonds you’ve built will likely translate into increased support—potentially doubling the contributions from those 60 donors.

The Compounding Effect

The magic here is consistency (take a look at habit stacking for help with that). The ten minutes saved each day may not seem like much, but those daily actions build trust and show your supporters that you value them beyond just their wallets. These consistent, personal touchpoints make donors feel seen, heard, and appreciated—ultimately enhancing their relationship with your organization.

The Phone Charger Challenge is a simple way to be intentional with your time, turning what might have been mindless activity into meaningful growth for your nonprofit.

If you're inspired by this idea, you can get more weekly inspiration from Ben Meer's System Sunday emails—they're packed with actionable tips that make small but significant differences in your daily life.

Start Your Challenge Today

Are you ready to accept the Phone Charger Challenge and see real changes in your donor relationships? Those ten extra minutes a day can differentiate between transactional donations and lasting supporter loyalty. Use PhoneRaise to set 1-2 touchpoints a day and make it even easier to engage your donors. Give it a shot, and see how something as simple as saving time can lead to doubling your impact.