The last twelve months might most accurately be described as “The Year of the Pivot” for many startups.
But for Atlanta-based Purposity, it was the year that validated their thesis that tech can help build up generosity across communities.
Blake Canterbury, Purposity’s founder, told Hypepotamus that the team had been “pitching this as the future of generosity, and overnight, millions of people are stuck at home and people are asking how they can help from their cell phones.”
The platform helps connect local school systems and non-profits with individuals and corporations looking to give back. Leads come in through social workers or non-profit staff, which Canterbury says helps build trust among those who are looking to give back.
“What if we re-imagine what generosity looks like for our generation? We thought if we could marry great location-based technology, add some social components that could actually make it fun, and then build a lifestyle brand of generosity all based on trust and transparency…I think the world needs it,” added Canterbury.
From its Atlanta Tech Village home, the platform grew over the years to have leads in 11 states at the start of 2020.
Now, Purposity is fulfilling needs in 27 states and has eight full-time staff members. To date, the team has provided relief and support to over 1,200 non-profits and school systems, including Nashville and Atlanta’s Public School systems.
GIVING IN THE TIME OF COVID
One year into pandemic lockdowns in the US, many families, businesses, and communities continue to search for assistance. For Purposity (a combination of Purpose + Generosity), working directly with social workers — particularly those now going into homes while schools are closed — is shining a light on critical resource gaps.
“Everybody that we interviewed at some level said ‘I want to do good in the world, but I don’t know where to start.’ When we drilled down on that, it was interesting when we talked about generosity, for most people, that was reduced to writing a check and walking away, or texting $10 to a natural disaster. They weren’t connected to the person they were actually helping.”
The Purposity platform streamlines the giving process, making it easier for people to fulfill tangible needs within their communities.
For Canterbury, the platform could also play an important role in helping with pandemic-related isolation and depression.
“I think Purposity can play a really interesting role by saying ‘let’s pursue, as a culture and as a nation, let’s pursue the next selfless act. Let’s pursue the next generous act.’ It will actually make our lives better and it will benefit our neighbors.”
