TAGG app helps make supporting local groups second nature

OMAHA—Now a local organization has created an easy way for shoppers to help support Omaha schools, nonprofits and other community groups. Last week Together a Greater Good (TAGG) launched its free mobile app on iOS and Android. Using the app, consumers may designate 5 percent of their purchases to be donated to the local organization…

TAGG logoOMAHA—Now a local organization has created an easy way for shoppers to help support Omaha schools, nonprofits and other community groups. Last week Together a Greater Good (TAGG) launched its free mobile app on iOS and Android. Using the app, consumers may designate 5 percent of their purchases to be donated to the local organization or charity of their choice.

“I hope people take it as something that could be really impactful to Omaha,” said TAGG co-founder Leslie Fischer.

According to Fischer the company, which did a soft launch on Sept. 1, currently has about 75 Omaha-area businesses and about 100 local nonprofits signed up to participate in its program.

Fischer says the goal is to make it so “an everyday person can become a giver.”

The app is simple to use. After downloading the free app, the user selects the local charities they want to support. During check-out at a participating location, the user will tell the cashier or server that they want to “TAGG” their purchase. The user then enters the amount of the purchase into the app and the businesses gives them a QR code to scan. Then, 5 percent of the purchase will be donated to the pre-selected group.

The app also gives consumers the option to share their donation on social media and connect with friends who also use TAGG, thus spreading the word about the program. The QR scanner is built into the app and there is no extra cost to the consumer because the 5 percent donation comes from money that is already being spent.

When TAGG was beta testing this summer, Fischer says a user commented, “It’s so easy why wouldn’t you TAGG to give back?”

Originally Fischer and her co-founder Holly Baker intended to create a web-based fundraising tool that used coupons and vouchers, similar to Groupon. They soon realized that planning ahead and printing out vouchers was a barrier to consumers taking action.Leslie Fischer headshot

As a result, they decided to pivot their business and turn TAGG into a mobile app. The pair believe the company’s new platform more user-friendly and allows for last-minute decision making that translates into donations.

Despite relying entirely on mobile technology, Fischer (right) says she tends to think of TAGG as a social good company first and foremost.

“We’re just delivering that via a mobile app,” she said.

To develop TAGG, the pair worked with Lincoln developer Agilx with whom Fischer said they had a great experience: “They’re just like no ego, small town, Midwest guys.”

TAGG also landed corporate sponsorship from Remax Results and 1123, a local media company. Fischer says that the participating companies are already charity-minded businesses, but that they also get something back from giving to the community. TAGG users are incentivized to patronize those businesses and the businesses gain insight into the habits of their customers, though Fischer is adamant that TAGG doesn’t sell or release private information about its individual users.

The next steps for TAGG will include expanding within Omaha and to other cities in the region. Fischer says that nonprofits in Lincoln and Des Moines have already reached out to them about taking part in the program as well.

 

For a complete list of businesses participating in TAGG’s program, visit the company’s website

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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One response to “TAGG app helps make supporting local groups second nature”

  1. Shonna Dorsey Avatar
    Shonna Dorsey

    Leslie – what a great app! Thanks for helping to make it easier to give to local causes people in our community are passionate about.