Joy of Giving — a Google’s Solution Challenge project

That brings NGO’s and Social Work’s closer to you.

The very core thing about this Challenge that is so close to being is that, we get to address real world problems, observe things in ways you don’t generally do in everyday life. This time around we got to ideate and bring in various problems that we came across many ideas in mind and while we brainstormed quite a few problems around and were trying to understand how we can build a solution and what features to add to make sure we deliver a valuable solution.

Chapter 1 : The Bootcamp

On 8th March 2025, a much awaited Saturday which was the day of the Offline Bootcamp for Google’s Solution Challenge 2025. We had been really looking forward to being a part of the one and only Physical Event in the entire Challenge. It was the first time for all of us and it was a great place to network with fellow challengers, to listen to what they are solving and how their experience has been so far. The speaker lineup was really insightful, helping us correct our course towards our north star, which is to solve for a cause. We got to discuss our idea to really amazing people, taking valuable insights from them to build better. The whole day was rewarding in terms of the knowledge and connections that we got, Thank you Google.

Chapter 2 : The Survey

We Designed a comprehensive survey, which can capture various User Personas and Insights about how our ‘Users’ validate the current prototype and provide feedback about other improvements or features which they find valuable. This provides us a real world understanding about where we stand in terms of delivering value to our target audience and analyse this data to build and improve features to ship the right value to them. Our entire team believes in User First approach which has given us a ground from which we can build features which actually matter and drive towards maximum satisfaction. We have 100+ responses till date, which translate to serious data driven decisions we take as a team.

Ease of Understanding of Joy of Giving Platform

Link to Survey: https://forms.gle/hfCHmXSL7nYSfEJf9

Chapter 3 : The Solution

JoyOfGiving is a platform which helps users connect with nearby NGOs, allowing them to either donate or sign up to volunteer at the desired NGO. In addition, the app is integrated with a “help section” that allows the user to seek help during emergencies or receive general support for the challenges they may face in various aspects of life. With JoyOfGiving, you can explore and register for NGO-led campaigns and drives.

So let us give you a walkthrough of how the app works through using the sections below.

Home Page

On the home page, you can find all the drives/events listed by various NGOs. You can view the details and register for any event you’re interested in. The home page also includes a search option which allows you to search up for NGOs, either categorized by state or filtered using various criteria.

This leads you to the second functionality of the app, the search page.

Search Page

After applying the filters as mentioned in the previous section, a list of NGOs will be displayed Clicking on a specific NGO allows you to view detailed information, such as its location, establishment date, and the type of work it does. At the bottom, you’ll find two buttons — one to donate and the other to volunteer.

Donation Process

Once you click on the donate button, you will be asked to fill out a form with your basic details and the list of items you wish to donate. Once the form is submitted, the app will automatically begin searching for the nearest NGO available for immediate pickup. Once the volunteer is allocated, they will be notified and will come for a doorstep pickup after verifying the items. For safety, we’ve added an OTP verification system — both you and the volunteer must exchange OTPs to confirm each other’s identity. After which, you can track the status of your donation in real time — whether it’s being packed, in transit, or has already reached those in need.

Volunteering Process

Once you have decided which NGO you would like to volunteer for, the app will ask you some basic details regarding when and for how long will you be available for working, if there is any specific skill you have or preferred working times. Based on your answers it will schedule a slot that will get notified to the NGO.

The third functionality of the app is a section where you can track your current as well previous donations/ volunteering services.

Donation & Volunteering Tracking

Under the My Donations page, you can track both your current and past donations. There’s also a toggle button that lets you switch between viewing your donation history and your volunteering activity.

The last functionality is the help section.

The Help section

The Help section is divided into two categories: General Help and Emergency Support.

The General Help section is designed for individuals seeking assistance in areas such as education, legal aid, LGBTQ+ support, and women’s welfare.

While the emergency help section is intended for situations where a user may feel unsafe or threatened. It enables immediate contact with the nearest NGO for urgent help or intervention.

Chapter 4 : The Sustainability Goals

In the Joy of Giving project, we focused on three important goals from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Goal 12 (Responsible Use of Resources), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). These goals helped shape the purpose and design of our platform, making sure we addressed real problems in practical ways.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

This goal is about making sure everyone has a fair chance to get support, no matter their background. Many people, like struggling families or women in tough situations often don’t get the help they need. Our platform connects them with trusted NGOs and uses simple surveys to understand what kind of help different people really need.

Goal 12: Responsible Use of Resources

We wanted to make sure that useful items don’t go to waste. Donors can see what NGOs actually need and donate items that will really help. This avoids unnecessary clutter and makes each donation more thoughtful and useful. We also let donors share photos of their items, which keeps everything clear and honest.

Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

This goal is about working together to make a bigger impact. Our platform brings together donors, NGOs, volunteers, and delivery partners in one place. We also connect with public systems like RTI and NGO Darpan to keep things trustworthy and open. By building strong connections, we make sure the help reaches where it’s truly needed.

Chapter 5 : The Take-aways

In today’s fast-paced world, we produce more than we consume. As trends like fast fashion and viral gadgets dominate our lifestyles, countless items often in perfectly usable condition are discarded without a second thought.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, many individuals and communities are still struggling to meet their most basic needs. This growing imbalance is what we hope to bridge with JoyOfGiving.

Our app aims to bring meaningful change by making it easier for people to give what they no longer need clothes, books, electronics, and more to those who truly need them. At its core, it’s about promoting a culture of conscious giving, reducing waste, and uplifting communities, all at the same time.

By providing a platform that connects users to nearby NGOs, we hope to:

• Encourage more people to help the needy: Whether through donations or volunteering, we want to make giving as easy and accessible as ordering takeout.

• Promote recycling and reuse: By giving pre-loved items a second life, we’re also helping reduce landfill waste and creating a more sustainable environment.

• Raise awareness about real needs: Often, people want to help but don’t know where to begin. Our app highlights what different NGOs are currently lacking whether it’s warm clothes for winter drives or volunteers for a weekend cleanup.

• Make helping feel rewarding and effortless: Users can track the impact of their contributions, giving them a sense of fulfilment all without even having to step out of their homes.

• Support NGOs in a scalable way: Many NGOs struggle with outreach and resource collection. With JoyOfGiving, they get a platform to share their ongoing campaigns, request specific items, and coordinate volunteer efforts with ease.

• Improve lives in orphanages and elderly homes: Whether it’s resources, attention, or hands-on help, our app allows these under-supported institutions to receive what they need more efficiently and reliably.

In essence, JoyOfGiving isn’t just about donations, it’s about building a community where empathy, action, and technology come together to create lasting social good.

Team — Dibyendu Sahoo, Harini Kulkarni, V Shree Harshitha

Links - Survey Form:- https://forms.gle/otmv8j6MLkDqQ8YSA Youtube Video:- https://youtu.be/DZt3Pbljnj4 Prototype Link:-https://www.figma.com/proto/WGDjMQqJnJNqdmIP8d7PLn?node-id=0-1&t=zszXJdHupL7ax76y-6