Arian Behboodi (JD/MBA '17) Launches Mobile Giving App
Arian Behboodi (JD/MBA '17) hopes to positively disrupt the field of charitable contribution. Together with his business partner Zachary Darwish (MBA '16), the social entrepreneurs just announced the launch of an innovative and philanthropic iPhone app called GivnGo. The ideology behind GivnGo, a mobile platform for charitable giving, is fairly simple: "By sharing your spare change, you can make the world change." The goal is to make giving an integral and effortless process, specifically for a younger and increasingly socially conscious generation.
Arian tells us, "I am really excited to share this, and the support of the Pepperdine family means so much." Arian graduated from the joint JD/MBA dual program this past May, but his idea for the GivnGo app has been in motion since he worked in fundraising as an undergraduate. The app aims to capture the millenial market and offer a convenient yet consistent way to contribute to a number of causes. GivnGo has been in official development since 2015, and in the month since its launch, Arian says they have seen strong traction and positive response.
GivnGo has many donation options, from disaster relief to health and education, and the featured function called "Round Ups" allows users to give back every time they make a purchase by donating their spare change. So, according to its website, "every time you shop for some new clothes, buy something to eat, or fill up your tank, you are also making an impact on others. This allows you to truly, give and go!"
GivnGo has teamed its giving campaigns with a number of local organizations, including the Orange County Meal Exchange Program, and Arian says there is even more to come, such as an upcoming event with Smile Train. In an effort to give back to the University, Arian and Zachary have even incorporated an option to give directly to Pepperdine. By setting a monthly giving threshold, users can stay within a specified monetary level while still giving consistently.
The app is available for free download on the iTunes App Store.