A Binghamton University alumna is trying to bring volunteering into the 21st century.

Carol Luong, who graduated in 2008 and majored in marketing and consulting leadership, is one of the founders of GreatPositive, a social media website for community service that helps connect nonprofit organizations with volunteers and donors.

Luong, who has volunteered at nursing homes and soup kitchens since a young age, teamed up with co-founder Matt Martindale to build GreatPositive.

“When we met we had a shared passion of giving back to the community and making the world a better place,” Luong said. “Six months ago, I left my job and we’ve been working on it ever since. It just goes to show the power of engaging with like-minded people.”

GreatPositive is a marketing platform for nearly 200 nonprofit organizations such as Autism Speaks, Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. For now, the organization must be classified as 501c3, or a tax exempt charitable organization. Nonprofits that receive at least $25 in donations monthly will be required to pay a monthly subscription of $25.

“Our mission is to create a sustainable online-to-offline giving ecosystem,” Luong said.

Launched in Binghamton in late March, GreatPositive enables users and nonprofits to create profiles that allow them to search and follow other organizations. Users can also donate and post and share photos, articles and reminders about volunteer events. GreatPositive will encourage users to create a campaign around events, like a birthday, and can suggest donations to an organization in lieu of gifts.

Another feature Luong said users could expect to find in upcoming weeks is a volunteer score for users. The score will showcase how much students, employees, individuals or communities are giving back, tying that data into a score.

“One of the ways we’re trying to make it more engaging is by putting competitive spirit behind it, ” Luong said. “Every little thing you do does matter because you’re influencing others to volunteer and donate.”

Luong is working closely with Joshua Kotler, a sophomore majoring in business administration. Kotler, the president of the Binghamton University Marketing Association (BUMA) and 17 other BUMA members are promoting GreatPositive at Binghamton and building its user base by tabling in the University Union. They plan to host a launch event May 1 with snacks and prizes.

“Being that she’s a Binghamton alumna, it’s really cool that we have the opportunity to make her business grow,” Kotler said.

Over 120 members have already joined the Binghamton University community on GreatPositive. According to Kotler, they want 1,000 members of the BU community by May 1.

“We all know [our local area] could use a little help,” he said. “No one is going to turn away a social media platform that is geared towards helping your community.”

Darren Joffe, a sophomore majoring in psychology, said he sees GreatPositive as a useful tool for Greek organizations looking to promote philanthropy events.

“This is something I can see students using,” Joffe said. “It is easier for fraternities and sororities because they have national philanthropies that they get involved in and the students plan and execute philanthropy events for them and donate to their chosen organization.”

Joffe added that there is something for everyone on GreatPositive.

“No matter what you find meaningful,” he said, “there is an organization for everyone that allows them to learn about their cause.”