Text: Hanne Eide Andersen
Photo: Goodify
Most of us find it both important and rewarding to help others. The challenge, however, can be to find time, opportunity and maybe most importantly, the practical solutions that make reaching out to those in need possible.
Goodify makes it easier to offer and receive help. It connects people who need help with those who are willing to help, in a simple and effective way.
With support from Kavli Trust, Goodify is now able to undergo further development, and recruit two new employees to help raise the app’s profile.
“Our goal is to create a platform for good deeds, simply because the world needs more kindness. It is crucial for Goodify that Kavli Trust has decided to back us, and we are deeply grateful for their belief in us and the journey we have started, says Goodify founder and manager,” Kristian David Elgen.
Do you want to work for Goodify? See job advert here.
“This is an innovative initiative and Kavli Trust is looking forward to contributing to the development of it,” says Inger Elise Iversen, general manager of Kavli Trust.
Kristian David Elgen, founder and manager of Goodify.
Good helpers group on Facebook
In a short space of time, and with few resources, Kristian David Elgen and his volunteers developed an initial version of the Goodify app.
“Our experience so far is that many ask for help and even more want to help when it is made easy and noncommittal. Already, we have seen several examples that Goodify makes a difference for people. It is rather moving,” says Kristian David Elgen.
The pilot is well tested through the Goodify group of helpers on Facebook, a group that has grown to about 30,000 members in a short amount of time. Their goal is to mobilise 100,000 active Norwegian helpers.
Since August 2018, the Goodify app has been downloaded more than 5000 times. More than 2500 families and individuals have received help and helpers have collectively done over 10,000 good deeds. Users have so far been a mix of private individuals, institutions and various aid organisations.
In the app you can easily see what the needs are in your area. If you can help, you offer it, without any further commitment. Payment is in the form of gratitude from the person you have helped.
Not for profit
Goodify is registered as a non profit company. Founder Kristian David Elgen has already put in large amounts of his own effort and savings to demonstrate his belief that Goodify can become sustainable. Ten competent volunteers have helped him along the way.
“Now we’re looking forward to having two full time staff, made possible by the Kavli Trust funding,” he says.
Kavli Trust: Close and relevant
“Effective, social technology can inspire great values and promote opportunities in socially beneficial projects,” says Inger Elise Iversen of Kavli Trust.
She adds that the Goodify app addresses an area that feels close and relevant to many people.
“Most people can relate to a desire to help others, or wanting to help out without having to commit through the established volunteering organisations” she says.
“Coincidently, this is an area that has seen little innovation. By applying new technology you can achieve more with fewer resources, and I believe that in many cases, quality and safety can be just as good, if not better, than with more traditional solutions,” Inger Elise Iversen says.
Kavli Trust wants to contribute to stories of success that can inspire new projects within social technology.
“Good examples are contagious, and by contributing to the growth of Goodify, we could inspire the growth of many new technological initiatives for good causes,” Iversen says.