Giving app and merchant checkout integration to make philanthropy convenient, transparent and rewarding
LONDON, Aug. 25, 2022announces today that it is launching an innovative, digital solution that will boost philanthropy by bringing non-profits, e-commerce and consumers together on one platform. The solution will turn every checkout into a giving opportunity while simultaneously boosting merchant reputation and conversion rates. Fana will primarily target digitally native Gen Z and Millennial consumers, a segment of the population that has a lower affinity with charitable giving, yet are highly concerned about social and environmental issues.
To achieve impact, Fana is working with non-profits and online merchants across all sectors, from airlines to retailers, creating a convenient, checkout-linked donation function that is connected to an in-app "giving wallet" held by the consumer. Donations are funded by the merchant, who adds a percentage of basket size at each checkout.
In app, users will be able to freely allocate these donations to a wide selection of participating non-profits, creating a portfolio under "My Impact", as well as have the opportunity to add a small sum of their own. Consumers are rewarded with shareable digital collectibles that double up as transparent statements on the impact of their contribution.
"Instead of commercial brands giving large budgets to a single charity of their choice, we will now enable consumers to make that choice personally, one dollar and one check out at a time," explains Robin Yan, Fana's co-founder & CEO. "We are effectively blending the younger generation's trust of e-commerce brands with the power of giving. This is done by providing a no-fuss, transparent platform that makes donating easier and rewarding. By appealing to a younger generation, we aim to further boost their brand loyalty to our partner merchants, but also improve customer conversion, repeat purchases and higher spending."
Research shows that 50% of younger generations have not yet chosen a charity to support1, stating that a lack of personal choice, no visibility on what happens to their donation, no sense of reward for their efforts and the rising cost of living hampers their willingness to give. From a merchant perspective, research by Amasty2 has revealed that "66% of consumers are ready to pay more for products from companies that support charities and have a social position similar to their own." The data has also shows that using checkout donations "can increase sales by up to 29%".
"The way in which younger people see charities has changed," explains Ben Wintour, founder of Steel Warriors, a UK-based charity that combats knife crime. "Gen Z and Millennials have a strong affection for purpose-driven brands. We're excited to collaborate with Fana to tap into these hard to reach generations. It's a great new way of thinking!"
The new solution has been designed to seamlessly integrate into e-commerce check-outs and allows merchants to allocate point of sale charitable donations. Fana has developed its own API that integrates with leading Commerce Platforms and Checkout Tech Stacks. In addition, Fana's Mobile App delivers a post-checkout, purpose driven experience where the consumer can allocate the donation to non-profits of their choice. At the point of donation, users receive direct feedback on their impact and are rewarded for their generosity through the application.
"Millennials and Gen Z are purpose-driven consumers," explains Jonathan Fath, former COO of European Unicorn / Neobank Bunq and Board Advisor at Fana. "They want to support the brands that contribute to tangible causes which resonate with their own views. Fana is providing them with that opportunity and simultaneously enabling e-commerce success. The company is, in effect, connecting a US$5 trillion3 global e-commerce market with the US$500 billion4 non-profit market. It's pretty unique!"
"The relationship between business and non-profits has changed. Recently we've seen an increase in cooperation between airlines, retailers, hotel booking sites and many more online businesses in an effort to boost donations," explains Yan. "We believe that enterprises and charities can win together through a single platform, driving a new passion for giving and mutually profit for good."
FANA is actively working with non-profits and merchants, and the company is currently preparing to open its seed funding round to support product development and growth. The solution, both app and web-based, will initially be available in the United Kingdom and the United States.
About FANA
Fana is the world's first and only philanthropic community for mobile native users. We are connecting a US$5 trillion global e-commerce market with the US$500 billion non-profit market by turning every checkout into a giving opportunity. Fana partners with charities and e-commerce merchants across all sectors to create checkout-linked impact for consumers through a "giving wallet". Consumers become donors in-app and allocate their wallet to a wide selection of charitable causes, building their philanthropic portfolio through collectibles that provide an immediate and transparent impact for every dollar.
Fana reinterprets philanthropy as a digital consumer experience, optimizing for convenience and impact to make giving easier, faster, and more rewarding for merchants, charities, and consumers.
Use of data
Statistics used in this press release are based on public data and the original sources can be found in the footnotes.
Press contact
For additional information please contact
Frederique Depraetere
press@myfana.com
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1Almost half of Millennials considering charitable legacy but most yet to choose the charity, ThirdSector
2How to Boost Your Sales by Using Charity Donations, Amasty
3Retail e-commerce sales worldwide from 2014 to 2025, Statista.
4NGOs And Charitable Organizations Market 2022, The Business Research company report.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ebdc7032-241e-4ff9-af9f-0e5d316f21d9
