Our Projects
The Good Works Network is a growing set of projects designed to connect generosity, sustainability, and care with real community needs. Some are live, some are prototypes, and others are coming soon. Explore each initiative below.
ThriftLink
ThriftLink gives thrift stores and shelters a simple way to share their most urgent needs in real time. Staff and volunteers can add requests quickly through a form or spreadsheet, while donors see live dashboards, progress bars, and item-specific needs before giving. It’s designed to reduce waste, meet needs faster, and strengthen the connection between local generosity and community resources. The app can be customized for each location to meet the needs of their community.
GreenSpace
Unused lots, corners of yards, or forgotten strips of land can become valuable green spaces. GreenSpace gives neighbors and communities simple tools to visualize how shared land could be repurposed as gardens, play areas, or sustainable habitats. With easy planning tools and visuals, it helps turn underused land into places that add life, beauty, and resilience to neighborhoods. Initial prototype is live and more features and options can be implemented depending on the scope of the project and the requirements of the individual location.
Native Garden Planner
Planting native is one of the easiest ways to support pollinators, reduce water use, and restore local ecosystems, but it’s often hard to know where to start. Native Garden Planner guides users through plant choices based on region, soil, and light conditions. The result is a personalized plan for creating resilient, low-maintenance gardens that help both people and the environment thrive. Native Garden Planner works for most locations but also can be customized to be region specific.
The Good Works App
Everyday acts of care often go unnoticed, such as a ride to the store, sharing a meal, or running a quick errand. The Good Works App supports these gestures while giving neighbors in need, including the poor, elderly, sick, or disabled, a dignified way to ask for help. With features like Good Meals, Good Errands, and Good Exchange, the platform makes it simple to request or offer assistance, encourages participation through community points, and can be customized to fit local needs.
The Toy Rescue
The Toy Rescue gives new life to old toys by pairing each one with a name, a story, and a new home. Inspired by classics like The Velveteen Rabbit, the project treats toys as companions with a history worth preserving. Each toy is carefully cleaned and restored to a like-new condition before it is made available for adoption. Families can browse and adopt toys online, or contribute by donating gently used toys for renewal. Restored toys are also donated to children’s hospitals and charities, where they can continue to be enjoyed by kids who need them most.
Rescue Story
In busy shelters, writing profiles for every animal is difficult, yet stories often make the difference between being adopted or overlooked. Rescue Story is a web application that interprets a photo to suggest details such as age, breed, and traits, then drafts a name and creative narrative. Staff and volunteers can quickly refine and share the profile, giving each animal visibility on adoption sites and social media. By making storytelling faster and more consistent, Rescue Story helps increase adoptions and reduce shelter stays.