M-Payments App Will Buy Dinner — And Inspire Goodwill

There are quite a few mobile payments apps on the market — but there are none quite like Full Society’s app, which is expected to launch this summer.

In addition to boasting a convenient transaction process for iPhone users, Full Society’s app — which is currently seeking funding through an IndieGoGo campaign — will also prompt the app user to consider donating to charities that fight hunger.

“The startup’s research into mobile payment options and evolving credit card technology revealed that, within the next five to 10 years, mobile bill-pay options will become rampant and necessary for daily living expenses,” the company’s recent press release stated. “The Full Society app fulfills that need in 2015 through an easy-to-use interface, which caters to socially active, tech-savvy food enthusiasts who want to pay, split, tip and give back all in one place.”

Full Society’s product has 30 days to raise its target funding of $20,000. The majority ($17,000) of that amount will go toward technical development and iPhone programming, and the remaining $3,000 is slated to cover costs tied to marketing, advertising and promotions.

Two days into the campaign (on Friday, April 17), the app had garnered $3,086 in funding from 36 backers. If it achieves its stretch goal of $50,000, the creators plan to unveil an Android app as well.

In addition to offering a quick and easy payment process, the app will enable users to split the bill, even if fellow diners do not use the app.

Then, the final step will be up to the consumer. App users can choose to donate any amount to the app’s partners, which for the time being consist of Baltimore nonprofits Helping Up Mission and Paul’s Place. Users remain in control, gaining the ability to set preferred donation and tip amounts, but they also maintain the option to skip the donation aspect at any time.

The app will keep track of how much the user has given over time, and those who are extra generous will also receive some perks of their own thanks to Full Society’s partnership with Dinner Lab. Users who donate $125 or more will receive memberships and discounts to Dinner Lab events.

“Even though hunger is such a well-known issue, most people only consider donating to charities around the holiday season,” said Co-Founder and CEO Paige Cantlin in the release. “The Full Society app will give users the opportunity to give in small increments year-round each time they enjoy the privilege of dining out.”

The app aims to onboard 50 restaurants by this July, 100 restaurants by this November, 200 restaurants by March 2016, 1,000 restaurants by August 2016 and then finally target national expansion in 2017.