There’s an app for that.

Here’s an interesting find: A new cell phone app called CauseWorld allows users to collect “karma points” and turn them into cash donations to charities that provide clean water, critical vaccinations, care for abused animals, and more.

The free app works with a phone’s GPS system, pinpointing a list of nearby retail stores affiliated with corporate advertisers. Simply go to the store, check in by cell phone (similar to Foursquare or Gowalla), and earn karma points. There’s no obligation to buy anything — just visit the store. Users then designate their accumulated karma points for any of the numerous charities listed on CauseWorld’s website — including help for Haiti and micro-financing — while the advertisers follow up with an actual cash donation.

Users’ results are constantly updated on the site: Zachary “brought art to schools,” while Evan “helped students in need” and Phoenix “fought breast cancer.”