Charity funding method using an open-ended stored-value card

• US 20040249752A1
• Filed: 06/06/2003
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Impact Consulting & Management
• Original Assignee: Impact Consulting & Management
• Inventors: Sajben, Gayla L., Chung, June W., Winship, Dawn E., Pedersen, Erin M., Prato, Paul H.
• Application Number:
  US10/456,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20040249752A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0279 Fundraising management
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence

Abstract

A method enabling a prepaid, open-ended stored-value charity card used as a fundraising vehicle providing dollar-based monetary funding to pre-selected charities is disclosed. The method uses an existing prepaid, open-ended, stored-value card that relies upon credit card technology, and can be redeemed at any merchant accepting credit card transactions. A prepaid, open-ended, stored-value card has a defined value that may be used in multiple transactions or until the value is depleted. The stored-value card is distributed to pre-selected charities either directly from a Charity Card Provider, or through an intermediate Reseller, and further distributed to a user. The charity receives funds by either distributing the charity card to a user at a premium in addition to the face value, obtaining the charity card at a discount to the face value, or by having merchant sponsorships.

Claims

1. A method for providing funding to a charity, said method comprising:

identifying a charity;

qualifying said charity, wherein said qualifying further comprises establishing a contractual agreement between a Charity Card Provider and the qualified charity, establishing a charity account portfolio, and establishing a customer database;

receiving an order and a first payment for a prepaid open-ended stored-value charity card from the charity in response to a user, the user providing a second payment to the charity, wherein the charity card has a prepaid value;

providing the charity card to the charity; and

distributing the charity card to a user,

wherein the charity retains the difference between the second payment and the first payment as said funding.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the charity card by the charity.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying a Reseller, wherein the Charity Card Provider enters into a contractual agreement allowing the Reseller to provide the charity card to the charity.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising activating the charity card by the Reseller.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first payment provided by the charity is less than the prepaid value of the charity card.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second payment provided by the user is more than the prepaid value of the charity card.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the charity card is embossed to identify a sponsoring merchant or charity.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the charity card has an expiration date.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the charity card has an initial value.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the charity card may be used for a plurality of transactions, and wherein each successive one of the plurality of transactions decreases a remaining value on the charity card.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the charity card has a remaining balance when the charity card expires.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the remaining balance is donated to a qualified charity.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the remaining balance is reissued as a new charity card.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the remaining balance is retained by the Charity Card Provider.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating a customer information profile.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the customer information profile has charity card information.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the charity card information comprises issuing charity, charity card purchase date, charity card amount, and charity card number.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein a report is provided to the charity card user.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the report contains information for documenting charitable contributions.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the report contains information of charity card transactions.