Ever wondered how you might influence corporate giving? Download the CauseWorld iPhone app (free) and you can help direct corporate donations to prevent child abuse, provide clean water, or care for an injured animal.

CauseWorld is a clever marriage of mobile technology and commercial public relations. The iPhone app awards you points, or karmas, for visiting partner stores and “checking in.” For example, visit Big Lots!, activate the iPhone app, and you will be given 20 karmas. Once you have accrued a certain number of karmas, you can begin to donate them to a cause of your choice.

Contribute 14 karmas to Feeding America, and the organization will provide one meal to the hungry.  One hundred karmas will enable American Forests to plant a tree in a rainforest. Five karmas directs DonorsChoose to purchase notebooks for low-income school children.

Participating businesses are not limited to major national chains. I was pleasantly surprised that I could earn karmas by visiting my local hair salon, as well as the corner sushi joint.

The iPhone app facilitates a universally beneficial relationship. The consumer benefits because they feel like they are helping to make a difference. The charities benefit from additional corporate donations, while the participating businesses benefit from the additional foot traffic, as well as from the positive publicity.