Thanks a lot for the feedback Simon! Right now we’re still barebones and I’m developing the app myself. The trouble we’re having with the iterate quick and test user comfort is that it won’t be a true test until the user can actually donate to the charities in question. Unless we can really get to the heart of testing the theory of a rewarding prosocial spending in app experience we won’t be testing the true core of the idea. And in order to collect money from users on behalf of third party charities (using information about the amazing work of those charities) we need to take care of a load of governance and legal issues about financial propriety. Any idea on ways around this or how to organize testing individual elements through dedicated focus group I’d be keen for more guidance.
Joseph Sarvary
Announcing EveryDrop: Progress Update on Our Gamified Daily Giving App”
Thank you very much for the super helpful feedback. I love the idea of giving donation credit as a gift. I’ve felt the same conundrum when donating on behalf of others where you’re ultimately choosing for them where the money goes. Giving them the money then letting them choose the destination is a great fix.
Matching funds is also something I’d love to incorporate though the way I thought of it could be a corporate or larger donor could sponsor a challenge like when you hit 30 days of consistent giving your next five donations could be matched. Or to drive donations to a specific place: if 100 individuals give to this specific charity today then the sponsor will match the amount.
There’s loads of potential to find ways to motivate others through ‘bonus’ donations. I would want to target people to support this program at a larger level who might be able to back the 30 days of consistent giving unlocks $20 of extra money to be directed by the user.
Would be great to continue brainstorming.
I also feel that the app would benefit from being able to educate the users about the three prompted causes each day. That way the giving is less robotic and more investigative. People who perhaps had not been exposed to FGM or the impact of malaria or climate change adaptation have a resource to expand their connection to philanthropy
Yes I worry about the pushes becoming a nuisance and losing their appeal. I’d want to to be creative as to how they come across and customizable in terms of frequency.
I think the gamificatjon social pressure and the community element could help with this. Imagine not wanting to lose your giving streak because you have a platinum giving badge that you would lose. Duolingo has loads of in app feature that encourage daily use but I can attest that even those can get annoying and eventually muted.
The fee avoidance is a must have. I’m still researching the best way to do it but for now my best idea is a built in API that routes to websites or giving platforms that allow donations without fees. Giving what you can, every.org, PayPal giving etc. That’s not to say that the problem is solved but my first effort will be to solve that through partnership
Thanks Lucas I’ve just put something into your calendly for next week. Look forward to catching up. Laurie Santos’ science of wellbeing coursers course was my first exposure to Dunns research on happy money.
Request for Feedback: Gamified Daily Giving App (‘Dollar a Day’)
EA overlooks the ‘Why’
As someone going through a mid career transition I appreciate this post a great deal. You’ve done a great job of understanding the false-expectation that many have when beginning to consider an EA career or and impact career. They anticipate that the decision to go that way is the difficult step, that once they’d made the choice the pathway would become obvious. Nothing could be further from the truth. Finding the right job and setting out on the correct career path is incredibly difficult and requires a huge amount of ‘your own hard work.’
You’re also right in highlighting the ease of deferring. Make the safe bet now and take the risk/plunge later. I would urge people to continue the difficult search, put in the work as you will be rewarded if you do. “The time is now, start from here.”
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