What is The Giving Step and what does it do?

TGS combines the importance of managing an individual's charitable investments (donations) / nonprofit relationships with their personal health in a single, goals based solution. It reinforces health accountability and enables donors to socialize their impact with friends, family, employers* and corporate sponsors* to amplify their charitable footprint. (*coming soon)

How does The Giving Step track my steps?

With your approval TGS accesses step data from Apple Health and Android Health Connect.

How do I increase my charitable impact?

TGS is tied directly to your daily steps. The easiest way is to stay health aware and increase your daily steps. TGS also provides social share integration, enabling ease of sponsorships with friends and family. And finally, another way to increase your impact is to participate in your employer donation matching* and corporate sponsor match* (*coming soon).

Can I sponsor someone (gift match) or use The Giving Step without step count data?

Yes. Users may create a TGS account to simply match friends and family. They may also use the solution to manage multiple charitable relationships and donations. All in a single app!

I use a wearable device (e.g. Fitbit, Apple Watch, etc.) to track my steps. How do I sync with The Giving Step?

We recommend connecting your wearable device(s) to either Apple Health or Android Health Connect depending on your preferred smartphone operating system. With your approval TGS will access step data from Apple Health and Android Health Connect.

I use a Fitness App (e.g. My Fitness Pal, Nike Run Club, etc.) to track my steps. How do I sync with The Giving Step?

Most popular fitness apps synchronize with Apple Health or Google Health Connect depending on your smartphone operating system. With your approval TGS will access step data from Apple Health and Android Health Connect.

How do I support more than one charity with The Giving Step?

Simply search within TGS and select as many charities and save them as a favorite. It is important to note that each charity may share in a percentage of your monthly donation investment. TGS provides a centralized experience for managing all of your charitable relationships, donations and learning of your impact.

Why do we (nonprofits) upload our nonprofit contacts?

This enables our nonprofit clients the ability to view metrics specific to recapture, retention, recurring and recruitment at the donor level. Individual contact information is considered private and confidential. TGS does not share, or sell contact information.  This information is primarily used for reporting impact, donor relationship management and any required notifications relative to TGS maintenance, upgrades and feature enhancements. For more detailed information please review our privacy policy.

How does The Giving Step use our (nonprofits) donor contact information?

Privacy is central to our nonprofit clients, individual donors using the mobile application and corporations utilizing TGS. Individual contact information is considered private and confidential. TGS does not share, or sell contact information. This information is primarily used for reporting impact, relationship management and any required notifications relative to TGS maintenance, upgrades and feature enhancements. For more detailed information please review our privacy policy.

Is The Giving Step a Fitness App?

Not directly. With your permission TGS utilizes step count data from your existing smart phone, wearable or fitness app(s) via Apple Health or Android Health Connect. TGS does however encourage and motivate users to live and give a healthy lifestyle through individual activity.

How does the nonprofit receive donations from donors?

TGS processes donations and distributes them to the nonprofit bank account connected within the system.

How do I donate to my charities?

Whether you support 1 or many nonprofits TGS provides a central location to manage all of those relationships, donations and ability to see your impact. Along with your step and giving goal you will select a monthly “Giving Day”. While you can check your pace (goals progress) at any time, TGS will process your donations on your giving day after you review and approve. You have 100% control over any adjustments to your donations. Tight budget this month and can only donate $10? Reduce your giving. Crushed it with your step goal and got a raise? Increase your giving.  It’s your budget.

How do I set my goals?

Once you’ve created an account you will enable permissions for TGS to access step count activity. You simply enter your daily step count and monthly donation goals. These may be modified at any time.

Why combine step and giving goals?

Donating, helping others, and exercising releases “happiness chemicals” (dopamine and

serotonin), giving you a sense of euphoria and well-being. Goal setting can help you achieve more, improve your mental/physical health, motivate you and amplify your positive impact. Connecting health and giving goals helps to keep you accountable, engaged, excited and motivated every day.

How do I connect to Apple Health?

Once TGS is installed, the app will ask permission to access step count data contained in Apple Health.

How do I connect to Health Connect?

Health Connect left beta with the March 2023 Pixel update. The app now comes preinstalled on newer Pixel phones, including the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series. Health Connect is included with Android 14 and newer as an official Android system app for non-Pixel devices. For older devices you may download Health Connect from the Google Play Store. Once TGS is installed the app will ask permission to access step count data contained in Health Connect.

Does The Giving Step share or sell my personal information?

Individual contact information is considered private and confidential. TGS does not share, or sell contact information.  For more detailed information please review our privacy policy.

Why did I receive an invite from a Charity to download The Giving Step?

Our nonprofit partners invite contacts within their database. TGS enables the nonprofit to play a vital role in your health related goals and desire to support their mission. It further helps to build a long term, mutually beneficial and trusted relationship as you impact their mission.

What personal health data does The Giving Step access?

With your approval TGS accesses step data from Apple Health and Android Health Connect.

Do I earn money using The Giving Step?

No. TGS is not an app where the user earns money or virtual currency.  The purpose is to help individuals stay focused on mental, physical and financial wellness by investing in yourself and the charities you view as the most important to support.

How does The Giving Step make money?

TGS is free for nonprofits. We charge a subscription fee to corporate clients and a processing percentage of the transaction to offset expenses related to providing the service.