Football fans now have a new way to support their club’s charity work in the community with the launch of an innovative app.
The app, called Goals for Good, allows supporters to make micro-donations based on team actions like scoring a goal or winning a game, updating fans in real-time with push notifications.
Innovative Fundraising Approach
The fundraising app, Goals for Good, was developed by Lancaster-based If Give Limited. It is a spin-out of Lancaster University’s School of Computing. Early adopters include the charities of football clubs like Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End, and Wigan Athletic. Supporters can make automatic donations such as £1 per goal.
Engaging and Immersive Experience
The app uses real-time data to create immersive experiences for donors.
This approach is seen as a major step forward in digital fundraising, potentially redefining charitable giving.
Founder’s Vision
Ludwig Trotter, founder of If Give and a PhD researcher at Lancaster University, emphasises the importance of personalisation and responsiveness in today’s charitable donations.
He stated, “Forward-thinking charities are looking to revolutionise their approach towards regular donations.”
The app transforms data into compelling narratives, making it more engaging for donors.
Widespread Impact
Goals for Good has attracted significant attention across the charity sector for its versatility and effectiveness.
By using the ‘If this happens, I will donate’ approach, nearly anything can trigger a donation.
This method helps charities adapt to the digital age and create meaningful impacts.
Collaboration with Lancaster University
Professor Nigel Davies, head of Lancaster University’s School of Computing, spoke about the transformative potential of this collaboration.
He highlighted the untapped potential for charities in the digital age.
Davies said, “Goals For Good marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital fundraising.”
Support from Research Councils
The technology behind the app was supported by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Impact Accelerator Account.
Innovate UK’s ICURe programme also backed the development of If Give.
This support has been crucial in bringing the app to life.
Future Prospects
Goals for Good represents a new frontier in digital fundraising, leveraging data for charitable actions.
The app’s early success with football clubs shows its potential for broader application.
The trial of Goals for Good by Sheffield Wednesday and other clubs shows a promising future for digital fundraising in the charity sector.
By turning on-field actions into automatic donations, the app fosters a deeper connection between supporters and their clubs’ charitable efforts.