Do you want to support local businesses and, at the same time, help local charities and non-profit groups?

Well, now there's an app for that.

The Airdrie Gives app was launched on Friday by Airdrie resident Leon Cygman who came up with the idea and developed the app.  The app links local businesses with community charities and non-profits and Cygman hopes both groups will benefit.  

"I see a lot of business suffering due to the economy," he says. "Because the businesses are suffering, the result of that is the fundraisers who depend on business are not getting what they used to.   The economy's hurting and the fundraisers are not doing as well as they should.  So I thought if I could create something that excited both parties again that would be a unifying force and would spur the community on again in an issue that they can get behind and support."

Cygman goes on to explain how the app works.  "A business and a non-profit would link together and the business would set a target in terms of a sales amount or a points goal over a time period.  Then when the business makes that target, they make a donation to the non-profit.  The non-profits job is to drive people to the business.  If they know a group of people are supporting this business they would say, 'go shop here because your dollars will  eventually make them hit the target and when the target is hit they'll give us the money'." 

Airdrie non-profit groups that have signed on to the app include the Airdrie and District Hospice Society, Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie and Airdrie and District Victim's Assistance to name just a few.  Cygman says the charities are very excited about the app.  "They're always looking for new ways to raise money  A lot of them have standard ways, usually bottle drives and donations but this is a new approach and they feel this would be really beneficial to the businesses as well.  They feel they're always taking but this is a way to give back by driving consumers to the business."

Several Airdrie businesses including Airdrie Innovative Bed Systems and Advance Print and Copy have also signed up to use the app.

"I am hoping that, as a result of the app, businesses who give back to the community will see an increase in revenue and community groups will get some much-needed funding," says Cygman. 

The Airdrie Gives app is available on Google Play and the App Store. 

Comments? Questions? Story ideas? Email news@discoverairdrie.com