Second Harvest to raise money with online games

Raising money for a local food bank is now as simple as playing a free online game.

Through Something Software’s TriviaMogul.com, Second Harvest Food Bank plans to raise money from participants who play the online video games.

“It’s a good a way for all ages to raise money to help others, even if you don’t have a dollar to your name,” said Karen McTague, director of development for Second Harvest.

Registered users play games such as solitaire, “Yahtzee” or trivia games to earn points. These points have an expiration time and must be gifted to a participating charity of the player’s choice. The money is given to the charity directly.

There are currently nine different types of games available for players. By the end of the year, the software company looks to open that up to about 100, said Frank Corbett, director of business development for Something Software Inc.

The money that goes to the nonprofits comes from advertising revenue, Corbett said. Advertisers pay per view and ads come in different forms, such as banner ads. Corbett called the approach “referral compensation.”

“The beautiful part is people get gift points for playing — they can’t do anything with them except give those to a charity, and the charity can get money,” Corbett said.

Second Harvest heard of this new mode of fundraising through some of its partners, McTague said.

“We had teamed up with the Pay Less Kroger grocery stores in Anderson,” she said. “They spoke to Something Software and then, they contacted us. They were the ones who set things into motion.”

Second Harvest hasn’t made much from the partnership yet — they have already raised $13.38 total, averaging two players a day — because they just started, McTague said.

“We hope that when more people get onboard, it will increase their points and then donate them to Second Harvest,” she said. “It’s just in the beginning stages.”

However, other participating groups have made hundreds of dollars in days with a small number of players, Corbett said.

“A local Florida group, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, has raised about $313.51 [total in a few months], averaging two people a day,” he said.

The money given to nonprofit groups depends on the value of the Charity Points, which varies based on numerous factors, such as the number of people playing and how many nonprofits are participating, Corbett added.

“As our player base grows, our ad revenue goes up and the nonprofits get more money,” he said.

Currently, site statistics show the visitors are in the thousands and Something Software expects to hit more than 10,000, Corbett said. The company began operation in October 2013, and Corbett said his company is the only one that approaches charities with online games like they do.

“Our goal is to be largest contribute to nonprofit organizations in the world,” he said.

He also estimated the number of partner nonprofits are between 80 and 100. Their business model is being offered to other types of groups, such as sports groups, schools and businesses. He said about 100 businesses have signed with them and about a thousand are waiting to work out an agreement.

“This is a new concept, and it works,” Corbett said. “I get people [who] go, ‘Well, if you look at [it], this group has only made $8 this week.’ And you go, ‘Well look, there is only two people playing.’ You have to look at all the groups together.”

Participating groups receive checks every two weeks if players have donated enough points equal to $25 or more.

“We found a way to share [ad money], and we are helping the economy by putting the money back in the straights and in the hands of businesses,” Corbett said. “I think this could change the economy and turn it in the right direction and more importantly, it could change nonprofits because they provide really important services.”

To play and help Second Harvest, go to TriviaMogul.com and register using the referral username “SecondHarvestECI.” Play and earn points and then donate them to Second Harvest or any partner group.

“This can really change the direction of a nonprofit if they jump in with it all the way,” Corbett said. “We can get you the same amount of money you get from selling candy bars in two weeks and every two weeks.”

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