GivLuv, a fundraising platform in VR from Primacy, is the first of its kind. Imagine taking all the hassle out of finding a charity, being able to hear a genuine, heartfelt story and then with the click of a button (or two) make your donation? Well, now you can. With GivLuv, it’s never been easier to donate.
I experienced GivLuv for the first time at Virtual Reality Toronto. As soon as I heard about this platform, I was intrigued. A simpler way to support charities of my choice? Sign me up! One of the reasons behind Primacy’s platform is to take away any inconvenience factors from donating. People sometimes say that they’re going to make a donation but then get busy with everyday life – and forget.
“Too often, people pledge to donate to good causes and charities but don’t follow through,” says Melissa Tait, Senior Vice President of Technology at Primacy. “We developed GivLuv to significantly change that.”
But this isn’t ‘just another charity’ app. There’s actually an entire science that goes behind it. Ever heard of virtual reality being referred to as an “empathy machine“? That’s because VR has the power to trigger mirror neurons in your brain. Which, essentially means you’re able to really feel what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes.
“Traditionally, VR has been a one-way consumer platform without much interactivity. With GivLuv, users not only consume content but they’re also empowered to act on the feelings generated within VR,” said Justin Lutz, Lead Innovation Technologist at Primacy.
This new way of donating encourages you to develop a connection with the charity. It allows you to experience a story, feel someone’s pain and hear their struggles. Right now, the GivLuv pilot partners are 3,000 Miles to a Cure and The Boys & Girls Club of Hartford – with more to come.
It really is too easy to donate. At any time during the 360-degree video you’re watching in your headset, you can pause, click, donate and there you have it. Done. Another cool aspect of the platform is that once you’ve set up your payment method, you can use it across all charities. A one-time set up and you’re good to go! The experience of giving really is seamless, with far less friction than you’re used to with other platforms.
“In a time where there doesn’t seem to be enough love to go around, GivLuv can put your good vibes to good use for a good cause.” – Primacy
Currently, Primacy’s new dimension of giving will be available to Gear VR users, with plans to expand to Google Daydream. For more information, check out their website here.
