4 FinTechs driving digital charitable giving this holiday season

By Gloria Methri

December is the season of giving to charity, and many people are inspired to donate during this month. Be it food, clothing items, overalls, or furniture, almost every family looks to reach out to someone in need during the holidays. People generally donate toward a cause that touches them or they feel that can make a difference.

Financial technology is increasingly making its way into the philanthropy sector, offering people an easy way to engage in charitable giving, no matter their capacity.

Many FinTech firms have developed mobile apps that help people set aside a small amount of money over time for donations. In many cases, these apps focus on micro-donations, allowing users, for instance, to round up the change from online transactions and later give the sum to specific charities.

These apps cater to younger adults who already use FinTech apps for payments and may want to get involved in philanthropy but don’t know how. Here are four FinTechs that are offering unique ways for people to donate and make a big change.

• ChariPay

Charipay is an iOS app developed by UCLA students in 2019 that streamlines the process of donating directly to partner charities. The app allows users to browse and contribute directly to a curated list of over 40 vetted organisations, ensuring transparency and ease of use. Donations are processed securely through Stripe, and users can track their contributions within the app. Notably, Charipay established its own COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to supply personal protective equipment to medical centres.

• Give InKind

Give InKind is a free platform that streamlines the process of organising and receiving support during life’s challenging moments. Users can create a personalised InKind Page to coordinate assistance such as meal deliveries, rides, pet care, and more. The platform offers features like Care Calendars, Wishlists, and the ability to share updates, allowing friends and family to contribute in meaningful ways. Additionally, Give InKind integrates with crowdfunding efforts to help alleviate financial burdens.

• Goodstack

Based in London, Goodstack provides a unified platform that enables businesses, their employees, and customers to engage in corporate grants, in-kind donations, and philanthropic activities. It also supports nonprofits with advanced verification processes and access to funding streams. The company’s mission is to simplify philanthropy for businesses and non-profits by providing out-of-the-box solutions, cross-border payment capabilities, and an all-in-one platform for corporate giving initiatives.

• Ripples

Ripples, formerly known as Roundups, is a UK-based app that enables users to make small, regular donations to their chosen charities by rounding up their card payments to the nearest 10p, 50p, or £1. Users can set weekly donation limits and pause or adjust their contributions at any time. The app provides updates on the impact of donations, fostering a sense of connection between donors and the causes they support.