Aussie Made Easy-Giving App

A new charitable giving platform for mobiles and tablets allows users to easily donate to charity.

A free mobile and tablet donation Application that links to Facebook and Twitter and allows corporates to manage workplace giving has been developed by an Australian team of IT and philanthropic specialists.

GiveEasy, created by Dr Jeffrey Tobias, is a charitable giving platform that links mobile users to a range of charities and fundraising appeals from their mobile or tablet device.

“Mobile users can search and select charities and appeals as easily as they can purchase songs on iTunes with donations being made in real-time via a credit card,” Dr Tobias said.

“As well as one-off or ongoing donations, users can view disaster appeals that are promoted on GiveEasy, allowing for a rapid community-wide response when natural disasters strike.

“GiveEasy makes the act of giving more social, with real-time updates to Facebook and Twitter ensuring that every donation inspires others to give.

“GiveEasy will also change the way donations are made through the workplace.

“ When businesses hold fundraising events in the office, employees’ tax-free donations can be matched dollar for dollar, increasing public philanthropy and generating goodwill.

The GiveEasy app provides users with an instant receipt for their donation.

“Tax deductible receipts are available immediately on the mobile device and sent via email, and you can access your giving history online at any time, especially when preparing your tax return, so you benefit from every donation made during the year,” Dr Tobias said.

Dr Tobias says there is no cost for a DGR charity to register however there is a fee of 5.5% per donation to cover transaction costs.

“A small proportion comes to GiveEasy to keep the social enterprise moving ahead,” he said.

“This is not a for-profit venture and the aim is to put money back into the project to continue to develop it.

“The donation fee is slightly below what other professional fundraising organisations charge.

“For corporates there is a small set-up fee because of the necessary work required on the ‘back-end’ as well as a $125 monthly fee. However, 100% of the employee donation will go to the charity.

“Even smaller businesses can afford this platform to grow their workplace giving efforts.”

Dr Tobias has had an extensive career in information technology, innovation and entrepreneurship including Head of Innovation at Cisco Global.

The Co-director of GiveEasy is Sydney-based tax lawyer and philanthropist Les Szekely.

GiveEasy says its charitable partners so far include The Smith Family, Variety – the Children’s Charity, United Way, Redkite, Sydney Story Factory, Australian Cancer Research Foundation, I Give A Buck Foundation, Voice Inc, Port Phillip Community, The Jewish House, Watoto, Hope:Global, Learning Links, The Song Room and White Wreath Association.

“The Smith Family has has been on board with us for 18 months helping us to develop and refine the platform,” Dr Tobias said.