Check in for a Cause

CauseWorld, a new mobile app, encourages users to “check in” for charity. Similar to Foursquare, it utilizes your phone’s GPS capabilities to determine your current location. From there users are provided with a list of nearby stores that they can sign into, sharing the information with others using the app. Each entry earns “karmas” which can be redeemed for donations to the cause(s) of your choice.

Current causes include helping to fight cancer, preventing child abuse and supplying clean drinking water to people in developing countries. Karmas can also benefit the treatment of children with autism; provide care for abused animals and plant trees. Users can earn extra karmas by scanning select products while in participating stores. As an added incentive, those using the app are also eligible for special discounts that are only available through CauseWorld. Once you’ve collected enough karmas for the donation of your choice, CauseWorld enables you to connect with Facebook so you can share the good deed with your online social network.