The 'Oven Bits Instead' app is a micro-donation app for iOS smartphones and tablets that encourages people to forgo buying a cup of coffee or other small purchase in favor of putting that money toward a good cause.
The non-profit company created the application to put daily purchasing into context and give users the opportunity to exchange a small, daily purchase for a donation to their charity of choice. Austism Speaks and The American Cancer Association are two examples of charitable organizations partnering with the company. Users can also suggest a charity that they would like to donate to.
Although the company does take 5 per cent of the donation to cover operating costs, the application is a reminder of how a few bucks here or there can make a big difference when going to the right place.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Micro-donation Apps
- Developing micro-donation apps that encourage socially responsible purchasing.
- Charitable Partnerships
- Exploring charitable partnerships with micro-donation apps.
- Daily Micro-donations
- Encouraging daily micro-donations to societal causes through micro-donation apps.
Where This Applies
- Non-profit and Charities
- Opportunity for non-profit and charitable organizations to partner with micro-donation apps to increase donations.
- Mobile App Development
- Micro-donation apps present an opportunity for mobile app developers to create socially responsible alternatives to traditional purchasing.
- Socially Responsible Finance
- Emerging industry for socially responsible financial technology startups to create apps that encourage micro-donations to charity.
