goal: efficient redistribution of usable goods #### Pitch Ever notice how many Buy Nothing groups are full of generous people wanting to donate, but the items often don't reach those who need them most? That's because current donation systems have a crucial missing link: reliable transportation and organized distribution. We're building a platform that transforms how communities share resources by adding two key innovations to existing donation networks: 1. A verified volunteer transport network that removes barriers for both donors and recipients - Donors can give without leaving their home - Recipients can receive items without needing a car - Verified volunteers create trust and reliability 2. Need Aggregators who can efficiently match community resources - Community leaders can claim and distribute items at scale - Real-time visibility of community needs and resources Unique Value - Unlike Goodwill, we have no overhead for physical locations - Unlike Buy Nothing groups, we have structured inventory and reliable delivery - Unlike Facebook Marketplace, we're focused purely on charitable giving Our platform makes it easy to: - Donate items with minimal effort - Find and claim needed items - Coordinate secure transport - Track community impact #### Actions - Donate: providing items - Post: prepare, photograph, and catalogue items into system - Transport: moving items - Claim: use system to select item - Request: log need in system #### Roles | Role | Actions | Purpose | Key Characteristics | | ------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | | Full-Circle Donator | Donate + Post + Transport | Complete end-to-end donation handling | sees the utility of donation first hand | | Posting Donator | Donate + Post | Enable efficient item cataloging | technologically capable and willing to put in time | | Simple Donator | Donate only | Maximize supply of items | | | Need Aggregator | Claim + Request (at scale) | Connect items to community needs | Community leader, understands local needs | | Transport Volunteer | Transport | Move items between parties | Willing to handle logistics | | Individual Claimant | Claim + Request | Receive needed items | Individual or family seeking specific items | #### Item Post Criteria ![[example donor to door.png]] ##### Clothing 1. Category (shirt, pants, dress, etc.) 2. Size 3. Gender 4. Age group (adult/child) 5. Condition (new, like new, good, fair) 6. Photo Optional: 1. Material 2. Style (formal, casual, etc.) 3. Brand 4. Care instructions #### Alternatives Models | Platform | Business Model | Pros | Cons | | -------------------- | ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Goodwill | Nonprofit retail | - Reliable drop-off locations<br>- Professional staff/processes<br>- Consistent hours<br>- Job training programs | - High `overhead costs`<br>- No `inventory visibility`<br>- Must shop in person<br>- Items priced for revenue | | Buy Nothing | Free/Community | - Truly free<br>- Hyperlocal community building<br>- Both give/ask posts allowed<br>- Direct connection | - No `systematic matching`<br>- Posts get buried<br>- Limited by Facebook platform<br>- Very `local scale` | | Freecycle | Free/Network | - Web platform (not FB dependent)<br>- Established network<br>- Email notifications | - Basic interface<br>- No mobile app<br>- Limited search/filters<br>- No needs aggregation | | Facebook Marketplace | For-profit platform | - Large user base<br>- Good search/filters<br>- Mobile friendly<br>- Shows available inventory | - Primarily paid transactions<br>- Trust issues<br>- No charity focus<br>- No needs aggregation | | NextDoor | Community platform | - Verified local users<br>- Both free/paid items<br>- Good mobile interface | - Mixed with other content<br>- No charity focus<br>- Limited search for free items | #### Thoughts - could tie into minimalism allowing meaning in reducing possession