Introducing Roar Social, the groundbreaking platform that combines social media and philanthropy. After three years of development and amidst business turmoil, we are thrilled to launch our beta app today. Get ready, because tweets are out and roars are coming!
Roar Social is not just another video-sharing app. It’s a powerful tool designed to inspire Gen Z and young Millennials (ages 16-36) to assert their values and use viral content and engagement for a greater social purpose. When users sign up, they choose one of twelve “hero” causes, ranging from climate change to mental health to animal rights. Every post they make is tagged with the corresponding cause icon, meaning that all videos on the site, whether original content or repurposed from TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook Reels, are connected to a cause.
But here’s the twist: instead of a ‘like’ option, we have a small cartoon pig that automatically donates a penny to the cause every time it’s tapped. This is made possible through our proprietary Roar Giving Wallet technology, which operates through the Roar Social Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to collecting and distributing donations.
In the coming months, users will also have the option to direct their donations to specific charitable organizations if they wish. We understand that choosing a charity can sometimes be overwhelming, so we’ve made it easy and fun. You can start by supporting broad causes like racial equality or mental health, and then dive deeper into specific organizations once you’re on the platform.
To get started, users create a “social giving wallet” and load it with a minimum of $5. During testing, most users found it convenient to use Apple Pay. Each tap adds a penny to the default donation of 1 cent. When the wallet runs empty, a friendly reminder prompts users to refill their piggy bank.
According to Robert Weiss, Roar Social’s CEO and founder, “Roar Social is meeting a cultural moment. Millennials care deeply about social issues, more than any other generation.” Weiss launched the company in 2020, raising over $10 million in seed capital and assembling a team of talented individuals from Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and LinkedIn.
Our board of advisors includes influential figures such as Jeff Raikes, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Mark Rockefeller, philanthropist and entrepreneur; John A. Lack, co-founder of MTV; and many more esteemed individuals from various industries.
At Roar Social, we believe in the power of social media for social good. Our goal is to create a platform that is not only entertaining but also positive and impactful. While we won’t be accepting traditional ads for a few years, we are exploring bespoke sponsorship opportunities. We are also in talks with potential partners like Starbucks, Target, and Warby Parker to redirect some of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) spend to Roar Social through matching donations. This way, companies can showcase their commitment to a cause and build loyalty with Gen Z consumers.
In addition, we have exciting plans to collaborate with influencers and celebrities who will support causes of their choice by posting exclusive content on Roar Social. We believe that humans naturally want to make a difference, and they are more likely to take action when it’s fun and engaging. Unlike other fundraising platforms, such as GoFundMe, we aim to combine the best parts of TikTok and Reels with a purpose-driven approach.
Join us on this incredible journey as we revolutionize social media and empower individuals to make a real impact. Together, we can create a world where every roar counts.
