Foursquare uses its location-based social network for fundraising

Foursquare, a location-based social networking tool with an added game element, has been receiving a lot of attention over this last year. 

I first heard about Foursquare after the attention it received at this year’s SXSW and started using it in the summer. You basically connect with your friends and gain points for checking in whenever you go somewhere.  Each week you compete to get the most points and to become the mayor of the location(s) you visit the most.  It can be fun however I haven’t used it very much.

Then the application peeked my interest again a few weeks ago when I read Beth Kanter’s blog about Foursquare’s charity event.  They partnered with TechiesGiveBack.org to raise money for CampInteractive, an organization that helps empower inner-city youth through technology skills and mentoring.  

The event, which Pepsi is sponsoring, is happening this week in New York City. For every point on the New York City leaderboard at the end of this week, Pepsi will donate $0.04, up to $10,000, to CampInteractive.

As known from my previous posts, I enjoy these simple ways to spread some good.  If I was in New York City I would definitely be checking in everywhere I go this weekend to make sure the full $10,000 is raised. 

Interestingly enough, even though I’m not in NYC, I’ve started using my Foursquare again and even encouraged more friends to sign up.  Hopefully they’ll do a charity event in San Francisco soon.  Maybe it could go along with a volunteer week so that some of the points can come from checking in at different volunteer events.