Groundrise is a case management SaaS platform for social service nonprofits and government agencies. Staff coordinators use the platform to communicate with clients about appointments, services, and program updates. SMS is an opt-in feature — clients must actively choose to receive text messages before any are sent. Consent may be collected through three methods: the Groundrise Connect mobile app toggle, staff-assisted opt-in with verbal consent recorded by a coordinator, or by texting JOIN to the Groundrise sender number.
Client downloads Groundrise Connect
When a client is enrolled by their coordinator, they receive an invitation to download the Groundrise Connect mobile app. The app is available on the Apple App Store (App ID: 6773457286) and Google Play.
No SMS messages are sent at this stage. The client has not yet opted in.
Client navigates to their Profile page
Inside Groundrise Connect, the client taps the Profile tab at the bottom of the screen. This page shows their community, unit number, assigned coordinator, and communication preferences.
The “Receive SMS updates” toggle is clearly visible and defaults to off. Before the client enables it, the screen already displays the required disclosure: “Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply.”
My Profile
Receive SMS updates
Toggle is OFF by default. No SMS sent.
Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply.
The disclosure “Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply.” is visible to the client before they enable the toggle. No consent has been given at this stage.
Client enables the toggle to opt in
The client taps the “Receive SMS updates” toggle to enable it. This action sets their sms_opted_in field to true in the Groundrise database, with a timestamp recording when consent was given.
Only after this action will the client receive any SMS messages from their coordinator or from Groundrise campaigns.
My Profile
Receive SMS updates
Toggle is ON. Client has opted in.
Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply.
Staff-assisted opt-in
Coordinators may also enable SMS on behalf of a client during an in-person intake meeting or home visit. The coordinator verbally reads the following script to the client:
If the client agrees, the coordinator enables the SMS toggle on their behalf in the Groundrise staff platform. A confirmation dialog requires the coordinator to explicitly acknowledge: “By enabling SMS for this client, you confirm that [client name] has verbally consented to receive SMS updates.” This confirmation is recorded in the platform alongside a timestamp.
This method is used during onboarding when a client has not yet downloaded the Groundrise Connect app but has provided verbal consent directly to their coordinator.
Alternative opt-in: text JOIN to the sender number
Clients who have not yet downloaded the app may also opt in by texting JOIN or START to (602) 878-6686. They immediately receive a confirmation reply:
This automatically sets their SMS opt-in status in the platform database and is used for clients who prefer SMS communication before downloading the app.
How opt-out works
Clients can opt out of SMS at any time through two methods:
- Toggling off “Receive SMS updates” in the Groundrise Connect app
- Replying STOP to any SMS received from Groundrise — this immediately updates their opt-in status in the platform
Once opted out, no further SMS messages are sent to that client from any part of the Groundrise platform. The platform enforces this at the database level — both individual coordinator messages and bulk campaign sends check sms_opted_in = true before sending.
Message frequency and content
Message frequency varies based on coordinator activity and the organization's communication practices. Messages include appointment reminders, program updates, service notifications, and community announcements. All bulk campaign messages include the opt-out instruction: Reply STOP to opt out. Msg & data rates may apply.
Questions about SMS consent or data practices:
Full privacy policy: groundrise.io/privacy