Good Thnx Australia launches new app which converts ‘thanks’ into charitable donation

Good Thnx, an Australian innovation that is creating a world with more gratitude, was launched by Good Thnx Foundation today with the support of five of Australia’s leading charities: World Vision Australia, WWF­Australia, RSPCA South Australia, St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, and beyondblue.

Collectively, they are inviting over 1 million Aussies to join them in saying “thnx” and rewarding good in the community ­ using smartphones to unleash the power of gratitude and make a positive difference in the world. It works like this:

a) Someone does something nice for you, or good for the world (the ​Good​)

b) You reward them by pre­donating money for their chosen charity (the ​Thnx​)

Co­-founder, Shannon Poulton, says that the Good Thnx platform enables people to send a “thnx” to anyone, which includes a short message and an amount to go to charity.

Says Poulton: “The person you thank is notified and they choose which charity gets the money. This simple idea of embracing the power of gratitude and appreciation will act as a positive behavioural loop, encouraging more acts of kindness, and more rewarding of good behaviours, and on it goes.”

Poulton and fellow co­-founder Ante Juricin, together with the founding charity partners, have been working with an advisory board of Australians with world­ class experience in Internet technology, consumer behaviour and social innovation:

● Alan Noble, engineering director, Google Australia and New Zealand

● Adam Ferrier, global chief strategy officer, and consumer psychologist at

cummins&partners

● David Paterson, chief innovation officer, World Vision Australia.

Says Noble: “Good Thnx is based on the simple, yet powerful idea that technology can be a tremendous force for good, by creating something extraordinary from ordinary deeds performed every day.”

Paterson said that charity fundraising has traditionally focussed on need and deficit.

Says Paterson: “But at the same time there is so much good being done every day, by so many, whether at home, at work, in the community, or on the street. What better way to help others than to harness this strength, by recognising good and expressing gratitude?

“The good work that reputable charities do can only occur because of that spirit of generosity and reaching out to others. Good Thnx makes this so easy for everyone.”

Says Dermot O’Gorman, CEO, WWF­ Australia: “Whether it’s building a sanctuary for rock wallabies, or helping Indigenous rangers to save our marine turtles, WWF’s work is only made possible through the generosity of our supporters. Good Thnx is an innovative way for Aussies to say thanks to their mates, while also making an important contribution to preserving our natural environment.”

Tim Vasudeva, CEO of RSPCA South Australia, is excited about a different use of the Good Thnx platform.

Says Vasudeva: “I’d love to see Australians saying thnx to those who adopt rescue pets. Animals truly are man’s best friend, and we are so thankful to those who are compassionate enough to adopt and give a second chance to an animal in need.”

Acknowledging that gratitude and appreciation are powerful forces for creating a better world, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria.

Says Cam Battaglia: “In our work, we see the generosity of Australians every day, whether giving their time, unneeded goods, or money. Good Thnx provides an easy way to recognise and reward these people ­ and hopefully encourage them and others to do more.”

CEO of beyondblue, Georgie Harman, said people with the Good Thnx app can use it to recognise other people’s good deeds by donating to their charity of choice.

Says Harman: “We are always grateful for people’s generosity and will use any money raised to benefit those in need directly through beyondblue’s 24/7 Support Service which helps people with depression and anxiety – and their families – wherever they live and whenever they need assistance.”

Australians can go to www.goodthnx.me from today and say thnx straight from their web browser, or download and use the free iOS or Android apps.

Thanks to a successful campaign on Aussie crowdfunding website Chuffed.org, the first 10,000 users will be credited with $1 on their account to get started on rewarding good, saying thnx and changing the world.