San Francisco-based bitcoin non-profit organisation BitGive has entered into a partnership with the University of Edinburgh to research and assess the impact of cryptocurrencies on charities.

The two organisations want to create a more effective and organised system that allows charities to accept digital currency donations. In addition, the aim of the partnership is to find out the difficulties of converting and using cryptocurrencies in third-world countries. To achieve this, the two partners will utilise the GiveTrack platform which was launched in October last year.

GiveTrack utilises blockchain technology to record and authenticate cryptocurrency donations to charities worldwide. Using GiveTrack donors can track their donations in real-time, see how their funds are used by the beneficiaries, and learn if a charitable project is successful or not.

BitGive and the University of Edinburgh will analyse data from countries where GiveTrack has been applied such as Kenya, India, and Indonesia. This will help them to better comprehend cryptocurrency acceptance, regulation, merchant adoption, and the impact of cryptocurrencies on cultures and governments in these regions.

Connie Gallippi, the founder of BitGive said in a statement: “It has been incredibly rewarding to see our GiveTrack platform gain unabating momentum. Throughout this process, we have discovered numerous opportunities, as well as challenges and barriers, that have helped shape the development of our platform and define crypto-philanthropy. Using this knowledge, in tandem with the bright minds at the University of Edinburgh, BitGive will be delving into how to overcome the roadblocks to effective crypto-philanthropy and establish how cryptocurrency can best be used to uplift and revolutionize the charitable sector.”

Dr Claudia Pagliari, research partner at the University of Edinburgh said: […] Through our research collaboration with BitGive, and meeting key stakeholders, we aim to learn as much as we can about the technical and contextual factors that can ultimately influence the success of these approaches so that this knowledge can be used to inform future programs worldwide.”

The New Charitable Project

BitGive also launched a new charitable project this week in collaboration with Open Mind Africa with the aim of raising money for Ghana’s Summer Camp and Educator Summit.

The camp, which is in its second year, offers students “fantastic opportunities to develop essential social-emotional skills, multiple intelligences, build friendships and make memories that will last a lifetime.”

Besides students, the camp also invites facilitators and educators from Ghana, Australia, and the US.

BitGive has already run several successful charitable projects such as a program to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in India, and a water project at Chandolo Primary School in Kenya where it has been able to raise funds using bitcoin to support these projects.