Scarfie Card creator Aaron Thompson has approached the Dunedin City Council seeking a contribution towards the $102,000 annual cost of operating the programme fulltime.
He told last week's public forum a 10-week pilot programme, open to students from two residential colleges and those living in Castle St flats, had been a success.
The trial had targeted 728 students, of which 170, or 23%, decided to register for the scheme, he said.
From there, 60 students, or 35% of those who registered, actually performed volunteer work.
The strike rate amounted to 7% of the 728 students initially contacted, which, if applied to the city's student population, would equate to 1500 students volunteering, he said.
Mr Thompson, director of Christian campus organisation Student Life, said students who registered were given themed playing decks highlighting the city's attractions and promoting the scheme. Those who earned points through volunteer work could redeem them for rewards such as restaurant meals, ski passes, concert tickets and free admission to tourist attractions.
Mr Thompson said the $102,000 would pay for launching the scheme to all city students and would cover staff, office and manufacturing expenditure.
The council, University of Otago, Otago University Students' Association (OUSA), Age Concern and local businesses had signed up as partners for the trial.
Mr Thompson now hoped the council would contribute another $25,000 for 2012. He also hoped to secure another $25,000 from the university, $20,000 each from a lottery grant and Dunedin business advertising, $10,000 from OUSA and $2000 from the Community Organisation Grants Scheme.
The same level of funding would be needed each year to keep the project running, he said.
Council community development committee chairman Cr Bill Acklin said council staff would examine the request, and present results later this month.
