Utah brothers create app to simplify charitable giving

(Cameron Rogowski)


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LEHI — After a lifetime of involvement in philanthropy and creating several “unorthodox” fundraisers for charity, two brothers have created an app that simplifies donating to the charity of your choice.

Lehi resident Cameron Rogowski said he and his brother grew up with a love for charitable giving that started with his father’s example. When he was 12 years old, Rogowski said he saw some newspaper clippings that highlighted his father’s fundraisers for muscular dystrophy.

“(My dad) was just kind of sharing with me about how cool of an experience it was and how different it is to spend all this time and organization and everything to do something for somebody else, other than yourself,” Rogowski said. “He just expressed to us and showed to us the importance of helping people around us.”

That experience sparked a slew of charitable fundraisers including hopscotching for 50 hours straight to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2004. Rogowski said he and his brother, Christian, did a lot of “unorthodox” fundraisers and often solicited pledges by going door-to-door to raise money for non-profit organizations.

In December, the brothers registered their business after developing a way to increase and simplify charitable giving. The free app, KiwiTree, will allow users to donate their “change” by rounding up each purchase to the next dollar. The change is created from debit or credit card changes that are made and the user can then select a charity they want that money to go to — all without having to do anything except set up an account.

“It’s basically mirroring a coffee can or jar at a grocery store, and when you make a purchase with cash, then they encourage you to put the change in there to donate to whatever the cause is,” Rogowski said. “It’s basically that same concept, but you are able to then take that can and apply it to all of your purchases everywhere...”

Along with choosing up to five charities of their choice, a user also has the flexibility to place a percentage or limit to their charitable giving each month, Rogowski said. The money all goes toward the charity and each non-profit organization pays a small fee for KiwiTree’s service. Rogowski said he is currently focusing on partnerships with local non-profit organizations.

KiwiTree is currently in beta testing and only allows select users, but Rogowski said the app will be released in April. To help raise more money for charities and fund the KiwiTree project, click here.


*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

Editor's Note: KSL.com received permission from the creator to use the YouTube video on this story.

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