Snapchat just unrolled a new feature that shows you where your money goes – literally. 

Launched on April 7 in honor of World Health Day, the new lens uses augmented reality (AR) technology to raise awareness and illustrate exactly how donations to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund are supporting the work of the World Health Organization (WHO). 

The new lens is Snapchat’s first-ever global donation tool, making it easier for users to give back directly while logged into the platform.

Seventy-five per cent of Snapchat’s 218 million daily active users around the world regularly use the app’s AR features, so integrating the technology into a donation lens was a natural next step for the company. The feature is the latest in a series of collaborations between Snapchat and WHO. This includes a pair of educational lenses that use AR to help users follow official pandemic guidelines such as safe social distancing and hand washing.

To test the new technology on the Snapchat app, grab a dollar bill or other note of your choice from 23 different international currencies, and use the app camera’s feature to scan the money and see how far it can go.

 

Users will be able to see first-hand how their donations support the Fund including COVID-19 patient care, the procurement of medical supplies, and research and development (respectively represented by a hospital, a mask, and beakers and a microscope). 

Like with other Snapchat features that primarily target a younger demographic, this visual depiction of fundraising is meant to make the act of donating fun, simple, and straightforward to share with friends and family. The breakdown by individual bills also makes the overall process appear less daunting, and sends a message that every gesture counts – no matter how big or small.

“We’re encouraging Snapchatters around the world to take collective action in response to the pandemic by showing them that every dollar can make a difference. Their loose bills can make real change,” said Snapchat Senior Director of Creative Strategy, Jeff Miller.

Snapchat’s new feature is one of the many ways that companies have been creatively stepping up and contributing to COVID-19 efforts. The lens will be available in 11 languages across 33 countries. 

If you can, please donate to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to support WHO’s lifesaving work on this pandemic.

We need all hands on deck and every dollar counts.

Use the new Snapchat feature to donate, or you can also give via text:

  • To give $25 to WHO, text WHO25 to 501501.
  • To give $50, text WHO50 to 501501.

 

donate today

Every donation makes a difference. Support WHO’s life-saving efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by giving to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Donations made via Facebook will be matched up to $10,000,000. Through April 30, 2020, for every $1 you donate here, Google.org will donate $2, up to $5,000,000.

Donate to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund