WO2002017200A1

WO2002017200A1 - System, method and computer program product for a cause data framework

Info

Publication number: WO2002017200A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/026532
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephan Matsuo
Original assignee: The Sausalito Group
Priority date: 2000-08-24
Filing date: 2001-08-23
Publication date: 2002-02-28
Also published as: AU2001286747A1

Abstract

A system, method and computer program (100) product are provided for collecting data in order to contribute money to charity. Initially, a user is identified (102) utilizing a network. Further, the user is allowed to select a charity (104). Utilizing the network, an indication is then received as to an amount to be contributed to the charity (106). Such collected data is then stored in a database coupled to the network (108).

Description

S YSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR A CAUSE DATA FRAMEWORK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to databases, and more particularly to gathering and tracking application specific data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of organizations exist for the purpose of charitable and/or nonprofit functions, including organizations which qualify as charitable organizations under U.S. Internal Revenue Service Regulation 501(c)(3). Not uncommonly, such organizations find that there are a number of costs associated with receiving and handling donations. One cost involves the labor or man-power costs associated with soliciting and/or receiving such donations. Many charitable organizations employ or hire individuals or organizations for the purpose of soliciting funds, attracting potential donors and the like.

Because there are often costs associated with such employees or organizations (including wages, salaries or commissions and/or costs of advertising services or materials), typically a certain portion of the funds received or collected by a charitable organization, which might otherwise be available for the organizations' charitable functions, must instead be expended for costs associated with attracting or receiving donations.

Accordingly, it would be useful to provide an apparatus and method for donation transactions which reduces man-power requirements and/or costs associated with at least some donation transactions. One common method of collecting contributions, donations, etc. on a widespread scale includes partnering with a large company. Using such partnership, a charitable organization may gain access to each of the employees of the company in order to seek contributions. Further, the company may benefit by earning a reputation of goodwill, which is particularly appealing to the public and, more importantly, to a customer base.

Traditional methods of soliciting and collecting donations in companies have been limited, however. In particular, charitable organizations have typically dispensed paper forms to the employees of such partner companies in order to distribute and collect necessary information. This inferior technique has caused many problems. Most importantly, employees are less likely to participate since the forms are often cumbersome to fill out, and are commonly lost. Further, it is difficult to track the contributions that are received. Much data entry is necessary before such information is in a form that it can be analyzed. Armed with this analysis, a charity or company can learn how to target distribution of charity information in order to better generate revenue to further its cause.

There is therefore a need for a computer implemented cause data gathering and tracking technique that solves the problems of the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A system, method and computer program product are provided for collecting data in order to contribute money to charity. Initially, a user is identified utilizing a network. Further, the user is allowed to select a charity. Utilizing the network, an indication is then received as to an amount to be contributed to the charity. Such collected data is then stored in a database coupled to the network.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of using the data collected may be directly used for paying the charity the amount to be contributed. As an option, the user may be an employee of a company, and the network may be a local area network (LAN) owned by the company.

For affording additional versatility, the user may be permitted to select a method of payment. For example, the method of payment may include a pay period deduction, a check or money order, an annual payroll deduction, a credit card payment, and/or a stock donation.

Optionally, an index of charities may be listed for allowing the selection thereof. Further, the collected data may be summarized for being viewed by the user before a final commitment is made. As an option, the user may be allowed to edit the collected data after the summary is viewed.

A reporting function is also provided by the present invention. In particular, a report may be generated which summarizes the collected data relating to a plurality of users. This report may be tailored per the desires of the company or charity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a method for collecting data in order to contribute money to charity;

Figure 2 shows a representative hardware environment in which the foregoing method of Figure 1 may be carried out;

Figure 3 shows a main interface for allowing the user to select a data collection or report function in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface for identifying the user in accordance with operation 102 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface for allowing the user to select an amount and type of donation in accordance with operation 106 of Figure 1;

Figures 6 and 6A show a charity reference page which facilitates the selection of the charity in accordance with operation 104 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 illustrates a graphical user interface associated with contributing money to the selected charity by way of check or money order in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 illustrates a graphical user interface associated with contributing money to the selected charity by way of a percentage system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 illustrates a graphical user interface associated with contributing money to the selected charity by way of a stock donation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a summary of money contributed to charity for inspection by the user;

Figure 11 illustrates a report of money contributed to various charities by a plurality of users;

Figure 12 shows an exemplary graphical user interface for allowing a user to specify a parameter which may be used to generate a report;

Figure 13 illustrates a specific report that is generated based on the parameter entered using the graphical user interface of Figure 12;

Figures 14 and 14A shows a form that may be printed during the course of use of the present invention; and

Figure 15 illustrates an administrator graphical user interface which allows convenient entry of information necessary for making pledges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates an "ePledge" method 100 for collecting data in order to contribute money to charity. Initially, in operation 102, a user is identified utilizing a network. This may be accomplished by any desired method including, but not limited to prompting the user to submit a unique identifier. In the alternative, the identification method may be passive in nature.

Next, in operation 104, the user is allowed to select a charity. The selection process may include displaying a plurality of charities for permitting the selection thereof, hi the alternative, the charity may be selected by manual entry, an automatic/default process, or any other mechanism that designates a selected charity. In the present description, a charity may refer to any non-profit or for- profit organization that pursues a cause, mission, etc.

Utilizing the network, an indication is then received as to an amount to be contributed to the charity. Note operation 106. Similar to the selection process associated with operation 104, the present selection method may include displaying a plurality of amounts for permitting the selection thereof. It should be noted that the amount may refer to money, stocks, or any other entity of value. As an option, the amount may be selected by manual entry, an automatic/default process, or any other mechanism that indicates an amount to be contributed to the selected charity.

Such collected data is then stored in a database coupled to the network in operation 108 for paying the charity the amount to be contributed, and generating a report in order to summarize the collected data relating to a plurality of users. This report may be tailored per the desires of the charity, or a company partnering with the charity. Figure 2 shows a representative hardware environment in which the foregoing method 100 of Figure 1 may be earned out. Such figure illustrates a typical hardware configuration of a workstation in accordance with a preferred embodiment having a central processing unit 210, such as a microprocessor, and a number of other units interconnected via a system bus 212.

The workstation shown in Figure 2 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) 214, Read Only Memory (ROM) 216, an I/O adapter 218 for connecting peripheral devices such as disk storage units 220 to the bus 212, a user interface adapter 222 for connecting a keyboard 224, a mouse 226, a speaker 228, a microphone 232, and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen (not shown) to the bus 212, communication adapter 234 for connecting the workstation to a communication network 235 (e.g., a data processing network) and a display adapter 236 for connecting the bus 212 to a display device 238.

The workstation may have resident thereon an operating system such as the Microsoft Windows NT or Windows/95 Operating System (OS), the IBM OS/2 operating system, the MAC OS, or UNrX operating system. It will be appreciated that a preferred embodiment may also be implemented on platforms and operating systems other than those mentioned. A preferred embodiment may be written using JAVA, C, and/or C++ language, or other programming languages, along with an object oriented programming methodology. Object oriented programming (OOP) has become increasingly used to develop complex applications.

Figure 3 shows a main interface 300 for allowing the user to select a data collection or report function in accordance with the method 100 of Figure 1. As shown, such interface includes a data collection icon 302 for initiating on-line pledging, and a report icon 304 for initiating campaign reporting. As an option, a print form icon 306 may be included for printing a data collection form that may be filled out and submitted manually. More information on such data collection form will be set forth during reference to Figures 14 and 14A.

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface 400 for identifying the user in accordance with operation 102 of Figure 1. Such interface is displayed in response to the selection of the data collection icon 302 of Figure 3. As shown, the graphical user interface 400 allows the entry of an identifier for identifying the user.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4, an employee number field

402 is provided for allowing the entry of an employee number, file number or the like. Also included is a social security number field 403 for allowing the entry of a social security number, a portion thereof, or any other general identifier of widespread use.

Such identifiers are commonly provided to employees at the inception of employment. Upon the entry of an identifier in at least one of the fields, 402 and 403, a validation icon 404 may be selected for validating the identifier and storing the same. As an option, the validation process may include verifying that the identifier exists in records of a company. Continued failure of such validation process may or may not result in termination of the pledging process.

As an option, an employee database may be provided by a company which includes information on each of the employees. Table 1 shows an illustrative, non- exhaustive list including the various information that may be provided in the employee database. With such employee database, employee-related information need not necessarily be entered during the various processes associated with the present invention. Through use of the database, errors or disparities are eliminated since an employee has no opportunity to modify fields which may cause a "mis- map" with the current employee file as provided by the company. Table 1

File number

Last name

First name

Middle initial 1

Middle initial 2

Company division code

Company location code

Combination is "CoAdd" (Company Address)

Company department code

Salary information

Salary pay frequency code

Home address incl street, city, ST and zip

Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface 500 for allowing the user to select an amount and type of donation in accordance with operation 106 of Figure 1. Such graphical user interface 500 is displayed in response to successful completion of the validation process set forth during reference to Figure 4. As shown, various buttons are provided including a pay period deduction button 502, a check or money order button 504, an annual payroll deduction button 506, a percentage deduction button 508, a credit card payment button 510, a stock donation button 512, and a non-contributor button 514.

Selection of each of the buttons 502-514 prompts the display of a conesponding graphical user interface that allows the entry of information required for initiating the specific associated method of payment. More information regarding such graphical user interfaces will be set forth in greater detail during reference to Figures 7-9. It should be noted that the credit card payment button 510 prompts a conventional e-commerce-type credit card information page for entry of a credit card number, expiration date, etc. As an option, an amount field 515 may be included in combination with the pay period deduction button 502 and the annual payroll deduction button 506. With the entry of such amount in the amount field 515, the need for any additional graphical user interfaces of Figures 7-9 may be obviated.

As an option, a select charity icon 516 may be provided for allowing the user to indicate to which charity the selected amount is to be contributed. Further, at least one summary link 517 may be included for generating a summary of the amount(s) being contributed and by which method of payment. More information regarding the graphical user interfaces displayed in response to the selection of the select charity icon 516 and the summary link 517 will be set forth in greater detail during reference to Figures 6 (and 6A), and 10, respectively. Also included is a return to menu icon 518 for returning the user to the main user interface 300 of Figure 3.

Figures 6 and 6A show a charity reference page 600 which facilitates the selection of the charity in accordance with operation 104 of Figure 1. Such charity reference page 600 is displayed in response to the selection of the select charity icon 516 of Figure 5. As shown, various charities are listed along with conesponding identifiers. As an option, the charities may be categorized.

For example, a "top 10" list of charities maybe provided that identifies the ten charities to which the most amount of donations are given by employees of a particular company. Employee charities may also be listed separately. Such charities specifically cater to fellow employees of the user. Additional listings include other frequently requested charities, and an alphabetical list of all charities available.

Figure 7 illustrates a graphical user interface 700 associated with contributing money to the selected charity by way of check or money order in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Such graphical user interface 700 is displayed in response to the check or money order button 504 shown in Figure 5. As shown, a plurality of user information fields 702 are provided for entering a file number, a last name, a first name, and a coadd which refers to a company address. As mentioned earlier, an employee database may be provided, thus obviating the need for additional data entry by the employee.

In addition, a plurality of charity identifier fields 704 are provided. The charity identifier fields 704 may include charity identification number fields 706 which allow entry of the charity identifier numbers located in the charity reference page 600 of Figures 6 and 6A. Still yet, the charity identifier fields may further include charity name and location fields 708 for entry of specific information on charities not listed in the charity reference page 600 of Figures 6 and 6A.

With continuing reference to Figure 7, a check box 710 may be included for allowing the user to decide whether he or she wishes for their name to be released to the charity for acknowledgement purposes. Also provided is a specific charity button 712 which allows automatic donation to a major charity such as "THE UNITED WAY" or the like.

In one embodiment, the present graphical user interface 700 may be printed for manual submission to the charity along with a check or money order. It should be noted that this printing function may supplement the storage of the information in a database. In the present embodiment, the present graphical user interface 700 serves as a transmittal form. As an option, a signature field 714 may be provided for allowing the user to sign and date the transmittal form.

Figure 8 illustrates a graphical user interface 800 associated with contributing money to the selected charity by way of a percentage system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Such graphical user interface 800 is displayed in response to the percentage payment button 508 shown in Figure 5. As shown, a chart 802 is displayed indicating the percentage of a payroll that will be contributed based on an amount of earnings of the user.

As an option, a select charity icon 804 may be provided for allowing the user to indicate to which charity the selected amount is to be contributed. Further, a summary icon 806 may be included for generating a summary of the amount(s) being contributed. Further included is a change payment icon 808 for displaying the graphical user interface 500 of Figure 5 for allowing the user to select a different type of donation.

Figure 9 illustrates a graphical user interface associated with contributing money to the selected charity by way of a stock donation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Such graphical user interface 700 is displayed in response to the stock donation button 512 shown in Figure 5. As shown, a plurality of user information fields 902 are provided for entering a file number, a last name, a first name, and a coadd. As mentioned earlier, an employee database may be provided, thus obviating the need for additional data entry by the employee. In addition, a share amount field 903 is provided for allowing the entry of an amount of shares of stock to be contributed by the user. Further, a share identification field 905 is provided for identifying the specific type of stock to be contributed.

Similar to the graphical user interface 700 of Figure 7, a plurality of charity identifier fields 904 are provided. The charity identifier fields 904 may include charity identification number fields 906 which allow entry of the charity identifier numbers located in the charity reference page 600 of Figures 6 and 6A. Still yet, the charity identifier fields 904 may further include charity name and location fields 708 for entry of specific information on charities not listed in the charity reference page 600 of Figures 6 and 6A. Further provided is a check box 910 for allowing the user to decide whether he or she wishes for their name to be released to the charity for acknowledgement purposes. Also provided is a specific charity button 912 which allows automatic donation to a major charity. As an option, the present graphical user interface 900 may be printed for manual submission to the charity. It should be noted that this printing function may supplement the storage of the information in a database. As an option, a signature field 914 may be provided for validation purposes. It should be noted that the various data-collection processes of the present invention may be driven by PHP3 scripting imbedded in the HTML.

Figure 10 shows a summary 1000 of money contributed to charity for inspection by the user. Such summary may be accessed after the selection of any of the summary icons of the various previous graphical user interfaces of Figures 5-9, or by the completion of the appropriate information in such graphical user interfaces. As shown, the summary 1000 may display information including, but not limited to the name of the user, the employee file number of the user, the contribution amount, the frequency of the donation, the total of the donation, a list of the various charities to which contributions were made, an indication as to whether the name of the user will be released to the charity, and/or a present date.

With continuing reference to Figure 10, a plurality of buttons 1002 may be provided for changing the list of the various charities to which contributions are to be made by linking to one of the graphical user interfaces of Figures 7-9, or changing the method of payment by linking to the graphical user interface 500 of Figure 5. Such buttons 1002 further allow the user to confirm acceptance of the pledge reflected by the summary 1000, or reject the same.

Figure 11 illustrates a report of money contributed to various charities by a plurality of users. Such interface is displayed in response to the selection of the report icon 302 of Figure 3. As shown, an overall summary chart 1100 is provided for indicating a cunent number of contributors 1102 and a current estimated total of contributions 1104 for each of the methods of payment 1106.

Also included are a plurality of links 1108 that provide more specific reports than that provided by the overall summary chart 1100. In particular, a current number of contributors and a current estimated total of contributions for each of the methods of payment may be calculated for each division of the company, division within a station in the company, station within the company, or an individual. It should be noted that such specific reports may be generated based on any type of grouping depending on the particular organizational structure of the company.

In addition to the links 1108, a return to menu icon 1110 may be provided for returning the user to the main user interface 300 of Figure 3. Further, a print form icon 1112 may be selected for printing a data collection form that may be filled out and submitted manually. More information on such data collection form will be set forth during reference to Figure 14.

Figure 12 shows an exemplary graphical user interface 1200 for allowing a user to specify a parameter which may be used to generate a report. Such graphical user interface 1200 is displayed in response to the selection of one of the links 1108 shown in Figure 11. Included is a field 1202 for entering a parameter on which the result report will be based. For example, in the graphical user interface 1200 of Figure 12, a division identifier may be entered for providing a report of statistics for just a specific division of the company.

A summary icon 1204 is provided for displaying a summary chart showing a current number of contributors and a current estimated total of contributions for each of the methods of payment. A summary and names icon 1206 is provided for displaying a chart including information on each of the contributors in addition to the information provided in the foregoing summary chart. More information on such charts will be set forth during reference to Figure 13. Also included is a return to report menu icon 1208 for returning the user to the graphical user interface 1100 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 illustrates a report 1300 that is generated based on the parameter entered using the graphical user interface of Figure 12. Such report is displayed in response to the selection of the summary and names icon 1206 of the graphical user interface 1200 shown in Figure 12. As shown, a portion of the names of the contributors may be kept confidential. It should be noted that the report 1300 further includes a return to report menu icon 1302 for returning the user to the graphical user interface 1100 of Figure 11. Further, a return to search menu icon 1304 is provided for returning the user to the graphical user interface 1200 of Figure 12. It should be noted that the various reports associated with the present invention may be driven by a MICROSOFT ACCESS engine with data stored on a compact disc. Further, Apache server-side parsing may be used within a UNIX environment.

Figures 14 and 14A show a fonn 1400 that may be printed during the course of use of the present invention. Such form 1400 may be displayed for printing in response to the selection of the report icon 304 of the main interface 300 shown in Figure 3, or the print form icon 1112 of Figure 11.

As shown, the form 1400 may include at least a portion of the information included in the charity reference page 600 of Figures 6 and 6A. Further, the form 1400 may include payment selection information included in the graphical user interfaces of Figures 5, and 7-9. Many companies do not have all of their employees linked to an Intranet or the Internet. Therefore, it may sometimes be impossible to do an entirely paperless campaign, and the form 1400 may be necessary. Figure 15 illustrates a graphical user interface 1500 which allows convenient entry of information necessary for making pledges. Such graphical user interface 1500 is abbreviated with respect to those of the foregoing figures. In particular, all of the necessary fields are shown on a single interface, thus allowing a trained administrator to enter data. Such a graphical user interface 1500 may be beneficial when entering the data gathered by way of forms set forth in the foregoing figures.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the graphical user interface 1500 includes three (3) different forms. Each form may be identical so the perception is that the administrator is working with one (1) form. It should be noted that the forms each conesponds to the "state" of the form. In particular, the states include a first state for searching for an inputted file number, a second state for allowing for a new input if not located in the existing database, and a third state for redisplaying any previous entries and allowing an update or modification. This administrative input page can be performed internally within a company or through an outside contractor.

As shown, each form of the graphical user interface 1500 includes user input fields 1502 for entering a file number, a last name, a first name, a division, an organization number, and a coadd. A validation icon 1504 may be included for validating the information in the user input fields 1502 upon the selection thereof. Contribution amount fields 1503 are also included for pledging a specific amount by way of the various methods set forth hereinabove based on which field 1503 is used.

Further provided are last transaction fields 1506 in order to identify previous contributions. A plurality of charity identifier fields 1508 may include charity identification number fields which allow entry of the charity identifier numbers or name fields for entry of the names of the charities. Another field 1510 may be provided for allowing the release of the name of the contributor.

As an option, security associated with the present invention may be provided via 128-bit encryption certified through VERISIGN. A further option includes providing modified information that includes a specific user and/or administrator who edited various information in the database. A date stamp may also be included as well as an indication as to the count of the number of changes made.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method for collecting data in order to contribute money to charity, comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a user utilizing a network; (b) allowing the user to select a charity; and (c) receiving an indication as to an amount to be contributed to the charity utilizing the network; (d) wherein the collected data is stored in a database coupled to the network.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , and further comprising the step of using the data collected during steps (a)-(c) for paying the charity the amount to be contributed.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the user is an employee of a company.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , and further comprising the step of allowing the user to select a method of payment.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the method of payment is selected from the group consisting of a pay period deduction, a check or money order, an annual payroll deduction, a credit card payment, and a stock donation.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein an index of charities is listed for allowing the selection thereof.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, and further comprising the step of summarizing the collected data.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user is allowed to change the collected data.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, and further comprising the step of generating a report summarizing the collected data relating to a plurality of users.

10. A computer program product for collecting data in order to contribute money to charity, comprising:

(a) computer code for identifying a user utilizing a network;

(b) computer code for allowing the user to select a charity; and

(c) computer code for receiving an indication as to an amount to be contributed to the charity utilizing the network;

(d) wherein the collected data is stored in a database coupled to the network.

11. The computer program product as recited in claim 10, and further comprising computer code for using the data collected during computer code segments (a)-(c) for paying the charity the amount to be contributed.

12. The computer program product as recited in claim 10, wherein the user is an employee of a company.

13. The computer program product as recited in claim 10, and further comprising computer code for allowing the user to select a method of payment.

14. The computer program product as recited in claim 13, wherein the method of payment is selected from the group consisting of a pay period deduction, a check or money order, an annual payroll deduction, a credit card payment, and a stock donation.

15. The computer program product as recited in claim 10, wherein an index of charities is listed for allowing the selection thereof.

16. The computer program product as recited in claim 10, and further comprising computer code for summarizing the collected data.

17. The computer program product as recited in claim 10, wherein the user is allowed to change the collected data.

18. The computer program product as recited in claim 10, and further comprising computer code for generating a report summarizing the collected data relating to a plurality of users.

19. A system for collecting data in order to contribute money to charity, comprising:

(a) logic for identifying a user utilizing a network;

(b) logic for allowing the user to select a charity; and

(c) logic for receiving an indication as to an amount to be contributed to the charity utilizing the network;

(d) wherein the collected data is stored in a database coupled to the network.

20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the method of payment is selected from the group consisting of a pay period deduction, a check or money order, an annual payroll deduction, a credit card payment, and a stock donation.

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