Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak
An App For…Making a Difference
Charity Miles has just removed the one part of making a difference, that you probably don't like.
In all probability, you like to give back. And you don't mind participating in a marathon, bike-a-thon or walk-a-thon, to support a cause that resonates with you.
But--part of that experience is hitting up friends and family for money. That's not always the most comfortable feeling.
Well, now there's an app for that.
Gene Gurkoff is the co-founder of Charity Miles, a free app for both the iPhone and Android. And Charity Miles goes beyond not having to solicity supporters for a special event. You can also be supporting organizations like the SPCA, Wounded Warrior Project and Stand Up to Cancer, as part of your everyday routine. To raise money for a favorite cause, according to Charity Miles' website, all you have to do is "move with purpose". Gene says that, so far, they've raised more than 2 million dollars for charity!
While exhibiting at the recent IDEAS Los Angeles conference, Gene talked about creating his new app, how it works and his favorite experiences with using it to make a difference.
In this episode of Over Coffee® you'll hear:
How Charity Miles works;
How Gene first came to create his app;
The challenges he navigated, to make his vision a reality;
What saved his idea from failure at the "eleventh hour";
How and why sponsors are assigned to the users;
What's involved, in terms of a daily commitment for users;
How Gene's perspective has changed since starting Charity Miles;
How he finds and screens charities, and knows the money raised is being used effectively;
How charities can apply to join;
Some of the creative ways members are using the app;
Gene's advice to fellow innovators;
AND, the results of the IDEAS Los Angeles competition in which Charity Miles was a contender, the day we talked with Gene!