// ‘The Difference’ is an innovative local fintech making it easier to give …
Australia’s 56,000 registered charities contribute significantly to the community, but like many organisations they have experienced a downturn due to COVID-19.
It’s not as if the trends were going in their favour to begin with.
From 2014-2018, the proportion of people in Australia giving charitably fell 6%, as well as real average donation amounts. 56% of non-givers reported they cannot afford to give, and also cited ‘lack of trust’ as a major reason.
Make a Difference
The Difference is a new mobile app that is looking to arrest this decline, and make it easier to support charities.
Founder Zara Torre told Startup News that “it used to be common practice to support multiple charities by putting coins in collection tins whenever the opportunity presented itself, but cash is now a rare commodity.”
Australians make on average 11.3 online transactions per day and despite COVID-19 the online retail payments sector is increasing.
Our mobile application for Android and iOS will allow people to give seamlessly in any transaction without the normal barriers to giving.
Dr Zara Torre, founder of The Difference
The platform also addresses the fact that most people want to help out, but simply can’t afford to make – or organise – regular monthly donations.
‘Compassion fatigue’ is also a huge hurdle for not-for-profit organisations in Australia in their efforts to keep delivering much-needed services and programs. Most people are keen to help, but the idea of locking in monthly donations can be onerous.
Dr Zara Torre, founder of The Difference
Rounding Up, Passing Forward
The app is based on the novel idea of rounding up your purchases to the nearest dollar, sending ‘the difference’ to your chosen charity.
It’s all visible and clear, and you can then share this act on social media, encouraging others to do likewise. You can track your giving, and see how you are progressing towards your goal.
Using encrypted SSL technology such as PayPal’s gateway Braintree ensures all transactions are secure.
You can change your charity/cause based on needs going on locally and internationally, and unlock badges every time you reach certain levels of giving. Additional perks come with these badges.
The app even provides a tax deductible receipt, for use come tax time.
Goals
The Difference seeks to work at addressing some of the UN’s Sustainable Development goals and are therefore partnering with five charitable partners in Australia with demonstrated impact in these five key areas:
- Health
- Education
- Poverty
- Women and children
- The environment
“We want to create a way for charities to communicate their cause and their impact to a greater audience of people. We want to make it easier for people to give, and therefore collectively contribute to the greater good.”
Dr Zara Torre
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Visit the website for more information: https://www.the-difference.org/
The app is free to download here:
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1488562374
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thedifference
MAIN IMAGE: Supplied.
