A new interactive sports app called FireFan is giving local nonprofits an opportunity to raise money by setting up a special code and making a donation to the organization for every person who downloads their app using its unique code.

The Family Enrichment Center is one of the organizations participating in the app that is free to download and to play with its special code BGFEC. The new app plans to launch Nov. 21, just in time for Thanksgiving, and users will have the opportunity to predict plays and outcomes of plays live during sports events. They can create leagues and compete with friends, family and people across the world. 

FEC Executive Director Nickie Jones was approached by local United Games promoter Dustin Gupton and after discussing it with the board of directors felt the app would be a great new way to get creative with the nonprofit’s fundraising. 

“I talked to the board and we felt like it was an opportunity to raise money for the agency,” Jones said. “So much of people’s time is spent on their phones, and we felt like it was an avenue we would like to try.”

Jones said the organization has never done anything like this before, but it didn’t seem to take a lot of physical time and effort compared to other fundraising events it holds annually. She said when people actually register for the app and start to play, FEC will earn 10 percent of every token acquired and 5 percent of each token used.

Gupton has participated in a number of FEC events and believes they do a lot of good things for good causes. He thought it would be a great opportunity for them to raise money.

“What better way to get an app off the ground than to partner with nonprofits,” Gupton said. “It gives the app more of a community feel.”

The Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society is another nonprofit that plans to take advantage of fundraising opportunities with its special code FORBGPETS. Adoption Center Manager Leah Lawrence said the organization was also approached by Gupton and had talked about others apps before that have gone viral. She said they have discussed about there possibly being an app that could raise funds for nonprofits and FireFan was the best match.

“We liked the concept that it was free to everyone to sign up and that we weren’t asking anybody to pay anything,” Lawrence said. “It’s completely free and ends up benefitting the Humane Society.”

— Follow faith/general assignments reporter Simone C. Payne on Twitter @_SimonePayne or visit bgdailynews.com.