Did you know that most CSR platforms won't distribute funds to a charity until a minimum amount directed toward that charity has been met? That as a result, user donations can sit in limbo for months - and in some cases years?
That's right. And yes, it's ridiculous.
Here's what happens. Most CSR platforms wait until month-end and then aggregate donations to the same charity that have been directed by users across all their customers. They then make a single payment to the charity, often 30-50 days later.
But if only a handful of people have donated to a particular charity - say an aggregate total of $25 - they don't distribute the funds. They wait until a minimum has been met, like $100.
Does the user know this? Nope. They think their $10 or $25 went immediately to the small local animal shelter they walk past every day.
Do the nonprofits know this? Nope. They're none the wiser to the fact that their contributions are being withheld.
Does this sound like a system focused on user experience and community impact? Nope.
At Groundswell we distribute all donations within 24 hours. Why? Because it's the right thing to do for our users and for the organizations they support, whether $10 or $10,000.
#CSR #socialimpact #corporatesocialresponsibility #employeegiving #philanthropy #charity #nonprofit #donate
Associate Director at Propeller Group
3wi felt like augustus gloop after noshing all those brownies