Crossroads is currently at the 2012 Cause Marketing Forum Annual Conference in Chicago. The three-day conference features knowledge sharing from top thought leaders, but it’s a little-known app that debuted at another gathering of like minds (SXSW) that’s capturing our attention at the moment.

Cause.it harmoniously brings together volunteers, local businesses and nonprofits using some tricks of the trade popularized by Foursquare and Groupon such as  gamification and discounts. Check out the video above for an animated walk through of the app’s functionality.

In a nutshell, the app allows do-gooders to perform small, local volunteer jobs both online and in the real world in exchange for discounts at local shops. Indianapolis and Houston are currently the only cities up and running, but it’s not hard to imagine the app gaining a following in metros across the country soon. The simple concept removes two barriers to entry for volunteering — where to start and how long to commit your time — and replaces them with an addictive and incentive-laden formula.

Here’s hoping Kansas City joins the list of participating cities soon.

 

*Thanks to the folks at Elasticity for sharing the GOOD article on Cause.it.