LINCOLN PARK — A new iPhone application that links people with nonprofits hit the market — just in time for the holidays.
The app, from a year-old website called Zealous Good, helps people donate used items to area nonprofit organizations. People can take photos of their items, and the app sends that information to 200 Chicago-area nonprofits.
"It could take you literally 30 seconds to submit a donation," said Brittany Martin Graunke, who founded the organization in 2011 from her Lincoln Park apartment.
Since its start with four Lincoln Park organizations, including the St. Vincent DePaul Center, Chicago House on Clybourn, the Greenhouse Theater and the Anixter Center, Zealous Good has grown to work with 200 charities. As of Thursday last week, Zealous Good had facilitated $427,261 worth of donated goods through 828 connections, according to its website.
The website not only connects the two parties, but allows the donor to see how each nonprofit would use their item. Donors then choose to which organization to give.
"People like to know exactly how their item is going to be used," Graunke said. "It just makes it a lot more meaningful to know exactly where you items are going to end up."
Some nonprofits are not able to pick up items, so Zealous Good has partnered with courier service TaskRabbit to deliver the goods. Graunke said the service – which will cost the donor about $20 - makes it easier for people to donate to nonprofits that aren't in their neighborhood.
