Automated Cause Marketing Loyalty System for Dynamic Donation Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charity fundraising methods are becoming less effective as they rely on traditional donation models that fail to attract new and continuing donations, and lack flexibility to adapt to changing business objectives of partners.
Innovation Solution
An automated cause marketing and loyalty system that allows partners to customize their loyalty programs to maximize charitable donations by dynamically modifying rules based on business objectives, and provides transparency and data tracking for members and charities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional charity fundraising methods are used, then charities can receive donations from taxes, public donations, and corporate donations, but these methods are becoming less effective and fail to attract new and continuing donations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts donation amounts and frequency based on member transaction activity. Members can select to donate a percentage of their transactions or a fixed amount, and the system automatically calculates and processes donations based on actual spending patterns, making the fundraising approach adaptive rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
Members automatically donate through the system based on their own transaction patterns without requiring manual intervention from charities. The system self-manages the collection, calculation, and distribution of donations based on pre-selected member preferences, reducing administrative burden and increasing sustainability
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art loyalty program solutions are used, then partners can provide charitable donations, but the system lacks flexibility to adapt to changing business objectives and cannot dynamically modify donation rules
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows partners to dynamically modify donation rules, percentages, and frequencies based on changing business objectives. The architecture supports real-time adjustments to donation parameters without requiring system reconfiguration, enabling flexible response to business needs while maintaining operational simplicity through automated rule management
3Quantity of substance
If prior art charity credit card solutions are used, then specified donations are made to charity, but administrative costs reduce the amount that actually reaches the charity
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates unnecessary administrative intermediaries between the donation source and charity. By using existing transaction processing infrastructure and automated rule-based donation execution, the system removes layers of administrative overhead that traditionally reduced the amount reaching charities, allowing more direct transfer of funds
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a streamlined digital intermediary layer that automatically processes donations through existing financial infrastructure. This mediator uses automated calculation and transfer mechanisms based on member selections and partner rules, reducing manual administrative processing costs while maintaining transparency and control
4Loss of information
If charities are reluctant to associate their goodwill with loyalty programs, then transparency is compromised and members cannot track the relationship between their activities and donations
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to members showing the direct relationship between their transaction activities and the donations generated. Members can track their spending, see calculated donation amounts in real-time, and monitor actual donations made to their selected charities, creating transparent information flow that builds trust and engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and computer program for providing a loyalty engine for automated cause marketing. The method can include a charity linking merchants and sponsors to the loyalty system. Once the merchants and the sponsors are linked and the members are registered, merchant defined rules can instruct a loyalty engine as to the level of donations in connection with one or more transactions by a member that is associated to the loyalty program. The loyalty system can include a reporting facility to allow the merchant to track transactions with members in a number of ways. A system is also provided that can consist of a server including the loyalty engine and the charity utility. The charity utility can provide the functions of the method and can be linked to the networked server.