If you peered in my window in early 2008, you would have seen me huddled at my computer, absorbed in design tools, messaging developers, and fumbling with Xcode— all before going to my day job. I was determined to create the Gratitude! app on my measly $500 budget. More than anything, I was repeating a little prayer that went like this:
If for some crazy reason we manage to create this app, dear Universe, I promise you that 10% of the profits will go to charity.
Of course, the Universe was listening and not only did I manage to make the app, but it paid for itself by noon the first day. And thus began my life as a philanthropist. A drop in the bucket compared to the Gates Foundation, but that’s not the point.
At the same time I was creating Gratitude!, I received an emailed titled “Don’t you wish our daughters grew up like this” and I was introduced to the amazing Maggie Doyne, founder of Blink Now foundation (that’s her above with all those insanely adorable kids). She was barely 19 at the time and was babysitting, walking dogs, water plants – anything she could to raise money to start an orphanage in Nepal. Nearly ten years later and she not only has a home for children, but a growing school and a women’s center. Yes, I have a massive crush on Maggie and all she does.
Contribute to Maggie Doyne’s Blink Now Foundaton
Blink Now is one of my favorite charities because educating children and promoting women is by far nearest and dearest to my heart. Growing up on a farm, not much was expected of the girls in the family. We were the first generation to attend college, get advanced degrees and have careers.
So I’ve set another goal and that’s to set up a scholarship for minorities to attend a code camp. At the moment, pretty much every penny I earn goes directly to developers helping me creating v3 of the Gratitude! app. I have a long ways to go before I have the funds. But like the last time, I’m making a deal with the universe. This upgrade is taking me two years to complete (I started when William and Kate walked down the isle) but everyday I say my little prayer. And everyday I get a little closer to my dream of helping one person get ahead in this world.