AU2016100433A4 - Methods and system for enabling and allowing fundraising for charitable causes - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a system that facilitates the collection of donations and associated methods. Businesses using this system would offer discounts or other types of promotions to the users who purchase goods or services from the participating businesses. When purchasing goods or services, the user has a choice to either "save" - claim the discount or promotion; or "donate" - waive some or all of their entitlement to a charity organisation of his or her choice by way of donation. If the user chooses to "donate" all or part of his or her saving, such an amount will be transferred from the business to the nominated charity organisation. The present invention further discloses additional features, including facilitating the calculation of the exact amount of donation, and the transfer of donation from retailers to the nominated charity organisations. Displaying Details of Offer or Promotion Receiving Confirmation of 4 Consumers Acceptance of Offer Ca cuWating Discount Amount Receiving Consumer's Selection of Donation Amount D isplayi ng List of Charities Receiving Consumer s Selection of Preferred Charty Calculating Total Amount Payable by Consumer Transferring Donation to Nominated Charity Figure 1

Description

1 METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR ENABLING AND ALLOWING FUNDRAISING FOR CHARITABLE CAUSES Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the facilitation and management of donations for charitable causes. Background [0001] Charity organisations are constantly raising funds and the inordinate amount of administrative costs associated with fundraising often erode the money that is eventually available for the underlying causes. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission reported in 2014 that there are more than 58,000 registered charity organisations in Australia, and the collective administrative cost is staggering, leading to doubts as to whether the whole charity industry is becoming just another commercial business. [0002] There are dozens of ways to raise funds as a charity organisation. Some of the more common methods include (1) employing dedicated people to collect donations by hand; (2) partnering with businesses that sell goods or services at higher than market prices solely for the purpose of fundraising; (3) encouraging or inviting businesses to make sizable donations; or (4) selling a book/booklets containing discount coupons and promotions from participating businesses. [0003] The common problem with most of the existing donation management methods and systems is that they are rather cumbersome and resource intensive. Extra steps or additional setup are usually required to receive donations. [0004] For example, collection of donations by hand is very labour intensive. Goods and services that have the donation amount already built into the price are usually more expensive and the cost of marketing these overpriced goods and services is prohibitively high. Discount coupon books are also costly to print and 2 distribute. These methods also offer donors very little control over how, how much and to whom they want to donate. [0005] Every year, businesses forgo millions of dollars of revenue by way of discounts and promotions because incentive marketing is one of the most cost effective marketing methods. [0006] The objective of the present invention is to turn these existing offers and promotions into an effective and cost-efficient centralised fundraising platform accessed by charity and non-profit organisations. Consumers/donors will have the full autonomy regarding how, how much and to whom they wish to donate. Summary of The Invention [0007] In the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of facilitating fundraising which consists of 4 types of participant as follows: (a) A business selling goods or services ("business"); (b) A consumer purchasing those goods or service ("consumer"); (c) A charity or non-profit organisation ("charity"); and (d) A system provider that manages the entire fund raising process ("system provider"), and which comprises: (e) displaying details of an offer made by a business; (f) receiving confirmation by a consumer accepting the offer; (g) calculating the amount of discount due to the consumer; (h) giving the consumer an option to "give up" (i.e. donate) some or all of the discount in favour of a charity; (i) displaying a list of charities for the consumer to choose from; (j) receiving the consumer's nomination of his or her preferred recipient of his or her donation; (k) calculating final amount payable by the consumer; (I) transferring the donation to the nominated charity.

3 [0008] Not all businesses necessarily offer discounts or run promotions. To ensure they can participate in this system, in some embodiments of the present invention businesses may still be able to enlist themselves in the system as a business capable of receiving donation from consumers or alternatively donating a portion of amount received from the consumer to the charity nominated by the consumer. [0009] Further to the first aspect of the present invention, businesses may voluntarily "match" the amount donated by consumers by donating additional amount that may be less than, equal to, or more than the amount donated by the consumer. [0010] Transferring donation to the nominated charity may be carried out in a number of ways depending on different circumstances. In some embodiments the donation may be transferred directly to the charity and in other embodiments to the central pool of funds which is then managed by the System Provider. The funds are then disbursed in accordance with the Consumers' directions. The transfer of the donation may also occur every time the donation is made, or once every month or such other periods agreed by the participants. [0011] The present invention may be used in embodiments with a tangible print based publication (e.g. books, newspaper, booklets or leaflets), a digital publication (e.g. website, blog, email or mobile applications), or communication devices (e.g. telephone, SMS or MMS). [0012] The system provider is remunerated in a number of ways to operate this system. In some embodiments the system provider may charge charities processing fees for managing this system. These fees may be charged each and every time donation occurs via the system, or by invoicing the charity periodically from time to time. In some embodiments there may be fixed listing fees payable by the charity organisations for the access to the fundraising platform. [0013] The present invention may enable any of the participants in the system to receive the benefit of tax deduction from donation. In some embodiments the Consumer may receive the benefit, while in other embodiments the Business may receive the benefit as the donor.

4 [0014] Flowcharts and diagrams are used to illustrate by way of examples of the present invention. It is important to note that these are examples of only some aspects of some embodiments and the present invention is not limited to any one particular embodiment. [0015] Examples of best practice of this present invention are described with reference to the figures and diagrams. It should be noted that the present invention may not necessarily have to adhere to the steps and sequence described in the examples as it may also encompass various alternatives, mandatory and optional steps. Brief Description of Drawings [0016] Following drawings are attached to explain in detail the embodiments of the present invention. [0017] Figure 1 is a flowchart that illustrates one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention. [0018] Figures 2 to 7 are detailed representations of each step of the embodiment described in Figure 1. [0019] Figures 8 to 9 are flowcharts that detail the flow of donation from consumers to charity organisations. Description of Embodiments [0020] This embodiment of the present invention may be implemented either by print-based or tangible media such as paper receipts or forms, or computer-enabled digital media such as websites or mobile applications. [0021] Each of the participants (business, consumer or charity) can sign up with the system provider to operate within this system. A business creates & lists a basic profile of itself with the medium or platform provided by the system provider. Such a platform may be a catalogue (paper) or a website or mobile application.

5 [0022] Figure 1 depicts the complete overview of this embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Once the business has signed up to the system, this embodiment of the invention allows the business to display the details of any offer or promotion 10. [0023] Figure 2 illustrates what such a listing may look like. A piece of paper, a computer screen or the screen of a mobile device (e.g. iPhone) would display prominently the details of the business 11, the details of the offers or promotions available 12. For example, the platform may display ABC Restaurant's contact details, a discount offer of 25% off the full price, and instructions 13 as to how to redeem this offer (i.e. by presenting a digital or paper-based voucher). [0024] The consumers are then invited to accept this offer and inform the system provider and the business of the acceptance. This can be done by presenting a paper coupon, or by tapping or clicking the "Accept" button 21. [0025] The consumer's intention to redeem the offer/promotion is then communicated to the system provider and the business 20 prompting the next action which is to process the redemption. [0026] Figure 3 depicts a screenshot of a mobile application whereby the user is prompted to enter the amount due before the discount/promotion is applied 31. This amount would then be adjusted by the type of offer/discount 32. For example, if the before-discount-amount was $200 and the offer was 25% off, then the amount of saving 33 would be $50 and the bill after the discount is applied 34 would be $150. [0027] The above calculation may be done manually by the business in the case of print-based embodiments or automatically in the case of a mobile application. A button prompting next action 35 is then visible. The user clicking the button would be taken to the next step Figure 4. [0028] Once the amount of discount is calculated 30, the consumer is then given an option to "donate" the saving he or she is entitled. Figure 4 is an example of a computer screen which displays a list of options for the consumer to choose from 6 with each option representing a specific proportion by way of percentage (e.g. 50% of total saving) or a fixed amount (e.g. $10). Examples of the options include all of the saving 41, 50% of the saving 42, another amount nominated by the consumer 44 or nothing 43. In some embodiments an additional option 'other' may be added which allows the user to enter an arbitrary amount instead of choosing from the listed options. [0029] The consumer's decision to donate more than, all, some, none, or a particular amount, of the saving is then recorded and communicated to the business and system provider 40. [0030] The consumer is then asked to select the charity to which the donation is to be directed. Figure 5 illustrates what this choice might encompass. The names of charity organisations 51 are listed 50. The consumer may select and the consumer's choice is then transmitted to the system provider 60. [0031] In some embodiments the list may consist of different types or groups of charities as opposed to specific charities. Where a group of charities is chosen, the donation would be split in equal proportion. The consumer may be able to override this default setting by manually assigning different proportion of the donation. [0032] The consumer's selection of either the amount of donation or the charity may be made by (1) for print forms - ticking the check boxes/circles 45, 53, or (2) for digital medium - clicking or tapping the buttons 41-44, 51-52. [0033] Figure 6 depicts the the screenshot or summary receipt that shows details of the consumer's choice including but not limited to the amount the consumer has decided to donate 45, the choice of charity entity 52. [0034] In some embodiments of the present invention, there exists an optional method of allowing the participating businesses to "match" the amount donated by the customer, which consists of (1) ability by the businesses to donate less than, equal to or more than the amount donated by the customer; and (2) calculation of total amount donated to the nominated charity organisation.

7 [0035] For example in Figure 6, the customer has decided to donate half of her saving 71 to Gift for Children Charity 61. Accordingly ABC Japanese Restaurant has agreed to "match" the consumer's donation by donating $1 for every $1 of donation 72. The sum of donation by the customer and the matched donation by ABC Japanese Restaurant would be displayed 73. [0036] Figure 6 may also be a representation of a paper-based form which is manually filled and completed by the consumer and the business. The 'Next' button 74 may be replaced with a'Sign Here' line to be signed by the consumer confirming his or her agreement of the amount to be donated. [0037] Figure 7 is a depiction of a device screenshot or a paper receipt showing the summary of transaction. [0038] For example, a total bill of $200 would entitle the customer to a 25% reduction (i.e. $50) from the total bill. If the user chooses to donate nothing, the final total amount due 75 would be $150. But if the consumer selects the option to "donate" 50% of total saving to the Gift for Children Charity, the amount due to the charity 76 would be $25. The final amount payable 75 by the consumer would therefore be $175 being the sum of $150 discounted bill and $25 "donation". The customer keeps the $25 saving. [0039] For embodiments with optional donation-matching enabled, the business (in this case ABC Cafe) would donate $1 for every $1 donated by the consumer. ABC cafe's donation 78 would then be $25. [0040] Once the consumer is satisfied with the summary, the transaction is confirmed by (1) in the case of digital medium - clicking or tapping the CONFIRM button 79, and (2) in the case of print-based - signing it. [0041] The final aspect of these embodiments of the present invention is transferring the donation from the business to the nominated charity. There are various ways of disbursing the funds raised to appropriate entities. Figures 8 to 10 are 3 examples of such methods.

8 [0042] Figure 8 illustrates the system provider 85 facilitating the flow of donation from consumers to businesses, businesses to the system provider, and the system provider ultimately to charities. [0043] Consumers 81 pay for goods or services to businesses 83 and in doing so opt to donate their savings 82 (or any additional sum beyond and above the amount of saving received) 82 to a charity (or charities) of their choice. The system provider then collects the donation from businesses 84. The donation transfer may be processed on the spot at the point of transaction or processed monthly (or other agreed intervals). [0044] Once the funds are collected, the system provider would then disburse the funds 86 via various methods (e.g. credit card, electronic transfer, PayPal, cheques or etc) to the charities 87. [0045] The system provider may charge fees for the provision of the platform by either (1) deducting it from the amount donated, (2) by invoicing the charities subsequently. The fees may be in the form of pay per donation or a fixed listing fee by the charities or businesses. [0046] Figure 9 depicts an alternative donation transfer method whereby the total amount (adjusted bill amount + donation amount) is first paid by the consumers 91 to the system provider 92 which will in turn distribute the same to the charities 93 and to businesses 94 in accordance with the consumers' choice. [0047] In some embodiments consumption/purchase of goods or services from the businesses may not be required at all, and the present invention may be practised according to the descriptions above save that the consumers can elect to donate any amount they wish to the charities through the system provider. The businesses in this case would simply be donation collection points. [0048] For example, if there is an urgent need to raise funds for cyclone victims, the system provider may enable the relevant charity organisations to utilise the system to collect donations from the general public.

Claims (5)

1. A method of facilitating fundraising which consists of 4 types of participant as follows: e A business selling goods or services; e A consumer purchasing those goods or services; e A charity or non-profit organisation; and * A system provider that manages the entire fundraising process, and which comprises: e The system provider displaying the details of an offer made by a business; * receiving confirmation by a consumer accepting the offer; e calculating the amount of discount due to the consumer; e giving the consumer an option to forego (i.e. donate) some, or all, of the discount in favour of a charity; e displaying a list of charities for the consumer to choose from; e receiving the consumer's nomination of preferred recipient of his or her donation; e calculating the final amount payable by the consumer; e transferring the donation to the nominated charity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the embodiment of the system is in a digital publication (e.g. website, blog, email or mobile application), or communication device (e.g. telephone, SMS or MMS) or a tangible, print-based publication (e.g. book, newspaper, booklets or cards).

3. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising the verification of the offer and/or transaction by the business using: e A digital device separate to that (if any) of the user; e The input of a PIN number or other code, password or security key into a user's device; e The scanning of a code, radio frequency identification device, fingerprint, wireless beacon device or any other method for verifying the legitimacy of the user's request;

4. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising the use of such a system for businesses which are not presenting any offer, but rather allowing the consumer to donate a portion of the amount received - from the consumer in return for the product or service of the business - to the charity nominated by the consumer.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the transfer of the donation to the nominated charity may be carried out in a number of ways depending on different circumstances. In some embodiments the donation may be transferred directly to the charity and in other embodiments to a central pool of funds which is managed by the System Provider. The funds are then disbursed in accordance with the Consumers' wish.