…asked software developer Dale Zak in the summer of 2009. The answer he found has now grown into a high-energy, multi-city, tech-savvy team of web designers, developers, and marketers collectively known as Apps4Good.
In partnership with Halifax’s Barrington-Street co-working space, The Hub, Dale launched Apps4Good to harness the talent and passion of software developers to develop and sell mobile apps, donating all proceeds to local charities.
Apps4Good’s apps are built at events we call the Hackathon, a weekend-long design, coding, and internet-marketing spree that is now held in two cities, Halifax and Saskatoon.
We were incredibly excited about hosting our first Hackathon in Halifax in the summer of 2009, from which came two unique apps. The first, Meet Me Here, is a fast and simple iPhone app that sends time and location details to friends via e-mail and Twitter. The proceeds from Meet Me Here will benefit Phoenix Youth, which offers programs and services that support at-risk and homeless youth. The second app, Wish You Were Here, is a fun way to send brilliant digital postcards, with sales going to benefit Feed Nova Scotia, the provincial food collection and distribution centre for approximately 150 food banks and meal programs across Nova Scotia.
In less than a year, Apps4Good’s second Hackathon in May 2010 has grown to two cities, over 50 participants, seven apps, and seven new charities. The Halifax teams developed four applications including swipey tappy, a game teeming with hearts in support of Leave Out Violence (LOVE), Stick Person Theatre which benefits Joints in Motion, Artists4Good, a digital background app that showcases local photographer with proceeds to Clean Nova Scotia and Sushi Roll-Up, a light-hearted game that allows users to put together sushi rolls under a time crunch in support of Stepping Stone. The Saskatoon crew developed three applications over the weekend; WeDJ, a social DJ’ing app with a twist that will benefit Choc’laCure, who help raise funds for the Saskatoon Cancer Centre, CoachPad, a handy sports team sketchpad that supports North East Outreach, a small non-profit charitable organization in Melfort, Saskatchewan that provides 24 hour crisis hotline and Should.I, a social decision maker that will benefit Saskatoon Friendship Inn who provide breakfast and lunch for over 500 people a day, 365 days a year.
The Hackathons are supported by fantastic local sponsors, and allow participants to meet new people, share ideas, and make new connections, all while giving back to their communities – in other words, help those in need by doing what we love.
We are continually impressed and inspired by the diverse individuals who choose to share their time with Apps4Good, with expertise ranging from web design and development, to marketing and content creation, to legal and corporate advice. The Apps4Good team is comprised entirely of volunteers, and we are tremendously grateful to the generous sponsors of the Hackathon events.
As we continue to learn and grow, we are always interested in hearing about new ideas to make the most of Apps4Good. Have a suggestion you want to share with us? We would love to hear from you!
Apps4Good Incorporated (“Apps4Good”) is a Nova Scotia company limited by guarantee, incorporated on August 17, 2009. The objects of Apps4Good, as described in its memorandum, include the following:
“a) To develop computer applications;
b) To promote the development of capabilities, competencies, skills and understanding of and relating to computer application development;
c) To foster local and global introductions, communications and collaborations amongst persons involved in computer application development;
d) To promote and support local and global social welfare, civic improvement, or efforts to relieve poverty, advance education, and improve the environment by gifting or otherwise transferring rights in and/or proceeds from computer applications so developed;
e) To be a model social enterprise and support the growth and development of other social innovators and social enterprise organizations;”
The memorandum also provides that should Apps4Good generate income, it will not be distributed to its members:
“5) In the event that upon the winding up or dissolution of the Company there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among its members but shall be transferred to a registered charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada), as determined by the directors of the Company.
6) The income and property of the Company shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its objects as set forth in this Memorandum of Association, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to its members.”
The following operating principles have been approved by the board of directors of Apps4Good:
1) Voluntary: Participation is voluntary. No salary, wage or bonus shall be paid by Apps4Good to any person (including officers, directors and members) unless the specifics of the payments are disclosed on the Apps4Good website.
2) Donation of Income: All income, net of expenses shall be donated to support local and global social welfare, civic improvement, or efforts to relieve poverty, advance education, or improve the environment.
3) Permitted Expenses: Apps4Good shall minimize its expenses and, unless disclosed on the Apps4Good website, shall only incur costs necessary (i) to run the websites of Apps4Good, (ii) to produce Apps4Good events (e.g. marketing, food, facility costs, etc.), (iii) to distribute applications (e.g. fees payable to Apple), (iv) to satisfy applicable taxes and (v) to comply with legal and accounting obligations of Apps4Good.
4) Transparency: The financial statements and transactions of Apps4Good shall be publicly disclosed.
Apps4Good has elements of both a not for profit organization and a registered charity but technically it is not either under the Income Tax Act (Canada): Apps4Good intends to generate profits; as such, it will not technically qualify as a “not for profit organization” despite the fact that it donates all of its profits for good. Further, Apps4Good may at some time in the future consider registering as a registered charity (as many if not all of Apps4Good’s objects are charitable); however currently Apps4Good considers that the complexity associated with registration is not in the best interests of Apps4Good.
In summary, Apps4Good is a for profit company with charitable objects that donates all profits to good and will publicly disclose all of such donations. Taxes it may have to pay on its profits will be offset to the extent that it receives charitable tax receipts from registered charities to which it donates. Like a not for profit organization or registered charity, Apps4Good’s members do not receive financial benefit on account of being members.