METHOD FOR FUNDING A CHARITY USING A PREPAID CARD

• US 20090112762A1
• Filed: 10/27/2008
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Eason
• Original Assignee: David Eason, Jonathon Hamburg
• Inventors: HAMBURG, Jonathon
• Granted Patent: US 8,438,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/22 Social work or social welfare, e.g. community support activities or counselling services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting

Abstract

A method of charity funding, using prepaid cards. A winner of a charity lottery is provided with a prepaid card having, as an initial balance, the lottery winnings. As part of the card activation process, the winner is asked whether they would like to donate all or part of their winnings back to the charity. Systems and methods for providing same.

Claims

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

(a) issuing a prepaid card to a winner of a charity auction, said prepaid card having a card balance corresponding to a prize won by said winner;

(b) providing a card activation process, whereby said prepaid card is activated by said winner, prior to use of said card;

wherein said card activation process comprises the following steps;

(i) a winner validation step, wherein the identity of said winner is confirmed;

(ii) a charity donation step, wherein the winner is asked to donate to said charity;

(iii) a card activation step, wherein the card is activated.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said card activation process further comprises a prize validation step, wherein the value of said prize is confirmed.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the charity donation step further comprises a charity inquiry, whereby the winner is asked whether they wish to donate back some or all of said prize to said charity.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, if the winner responds positively to said charity inquiry, said charity donation step further comprises:

(a) an amount inquiry, whereby said winner selects an amount to be donated; and

(b) a card deduction, whereby said amount to be donated is subtracted from said card balance.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said charity donation step further comprises an automated receipt generator, whereby a charitable receipt is generated and sent to said winner.

6. A system for enabling donations, comprising

at least one processor

at least one data storage device electronically coupled to the at least one processor

the at least one data storage device storing at least one identity parameter and a prize amount, both said at least one identity parameter and said prize amount being associated with a first entity;

the at least one processor operable to receive, from said first entity, a validation request comprising a selection of one or more identity parameters, and confirm an identity of said first entity from said identity parameters;

the at least one processor operable to request, from said first entity, a donation, further comprising a donation amount;

the at least one processor operable to deduct said donation amount from said prize amount.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said processor is further operable to store information associated with said donation and donation amount, and issue a receipt to said first entity for said donation amount.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said processor is further operable to activate a card associated with said first entity.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein said validation request is received telephonically.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is electronically coupled to a telecommunications network, wherein the validation request is implemented utilizing an interactive voice recording system coupled to said processor and said network.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the validation request is initiated by one or more calls from a telecommunication device utilized by said first entity seeking to validate a card.

12. A method for enabling donations to a charity, comprising

(a) providing an inactive card to a first entity;

(b) receiving information associated with said first entity from the charity;

(c) receiving a prize value associated with said card from the charity;

(d) receiving an activation request from said first entity;

(e) confirming an identity of said first entity by requesting identity data from said first entity, receiving said identity data from said first entity, and comparing said identity data with said information associated with said first entity;

(f) asking said first entity whether they wish to provide a donation to said charity;

(g) receiving a response to (f) from said first entity, and, if said response is affirmative, asking said first entity for a donation amount;

(h) deducting said donation amount from said prize value;

(i) activating said card.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of issuing a charitable receipt to said first entity for said donation amount.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said information associated with said first entity, prize value, identity data, and donation amount are stored on at least one data storage device electronically coupled to a processor.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of steps (d), (e), (f), and (g) utilize an interactive voice recording system.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the activation request is initiated by one or more calls from a telecommunication device utilized by said first entity.