Spireworks is an app-based platform illuminating iconic buildings in New York City within The Durst Organization’s real estate portfolio for causes, brands, and civic engagement. It is a truly unique, innovative engagement platform that transforms architectural lighting into interactive experiences through its mobile application. The platform allows users to control lighting patterns and colors on Durst’s iconic buildings in real-time. Founded in 2011, Spireworks initially offered exclusive access to its lighting controls for select members but has expanded globally, inviting participants to engage in meaningful causes from afar through its "Change at a Distance" initiative. By merging creativity, technology, and social impact, Spireworks creates memorable moments that raise awareness and funds for charitable organizations.
Spireworks set out to level up its ability to support cause-based organizations by tackling two big opportunities: navigating the labyrinth of compliance requirements as they scale to more buildings – particularly, complex (but necessary) CCV agreements – and broadening its horizons to include more causes and nonprofits. With Change’s access to over 1.3 million pre-vetted organizations, Spireworks aimed to forge partnerships that not only had greater impact but were also local to New York City, all without disrupting their user experience.
Spireworks turned to Change to tackle its challenges, using Change’s Donations API and compliance tools to rethink its approach to cause-based giving. With Change’s expertise, Spireworks crafted a solution that kept the lights (literally) shining bright while ensuring compliance with state CCV regulations. By integrating Change’s tools, Spireworks ensured not just compliance with commercial co-venture regulations but also fostered trust and transparency across its growing network of stakeholders.
Change’s platform provided comprehensive support – handling CCV filings, broadening the choice of nonprofit partnerships, and ensuring everything ran like clockwork. This partnership allowed Spireworks to expand its reach to more timely and impactful causes, such as supporting victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, all while maintaining a seamless experience for its users.
Through this partnership with Change, Spireworks has been able to lay a strong foundation for scaling its platform to reach more buildings in New York, more users, and more causes. Together, Spireworks and Change have proven that technology, compliance, and social impact can align beautifully to drive meaningful engagement.