“By elevating the role of the merchant, we are evolving the crowdfunding model for the better.”
Based in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, GiveToBenefit, a start-up social enterprise that helps nonprofits and other causes raise money online, has recruited more than 40 businesses to the GiveToBenefit Merchant Partner program. The program – which they believe is the first of its kind in the crowdfunding category – involves businesses agreeing to provide incentives to organizations who spend the money they raise on GiveToBenefit.com – on their products and services.
How the GiveToBenefit Merchant Partner program works:
1. A merchant creates a free listing on GiveToBenefit.com and agrees to provide special offers to a nonprofit or other cause-related organization who selects them as their provider.
2. A nonprofit or other cause-related organization launches a fund drive on GiveToBenefit.com.
3. The nonprofit pre-selects a local merchant where the money raised will be spent.
4. GiveToBenefit releases 100% of the funds raised (the nonprofit pays no fees, unlike on other crowdfunding sites) – to the merchant after the campaign ends.
5. The merchant and the nonprofit complete the transaction.
GiveToBenefit CEO Daniel M. Sossaman, II states:
“With GiveToBenefit.com, everybody wins: Local merchants generate new sales and brand awareness; cause-related organizations receive more in goods and services for every dollar they raise; and GiveToBenefit is compensated for facilitating the exchange.”
“By automatically generating leads and potential sales for us, GiveToBenefit is like having another marketing or sales resource on my staff,” says Dave Matthias, president of Penn Photomounts in Aston, Pa. “But beyond the clear business value that the GiveToBenefit Merchant Partner program represents, I really like how this program makes it easy for my company to do something good for my community.”
With plans to expand nationwide, the GiveToBenefit Merchant Partner program currently features local businesses in categories ranging from musical instruments and photographic equipment to office supplies and garden tools.
To date, more than 40 merchants have joined the GiveToBenefit Merchant Partner program, including:
- Accent Music, Inc.
- Airs Appliances
- Atlanta Computer Systems
- Atlanta Office Liquidators
- Atlantic Nursery of New Jersey
- Avenida Restaurant
- Bischofberger Violins, Ltd.
- BJR Office Resources
- Boomerang
- Carr’s Hardware
- Cooper Piano
- Corporate Environments
- Corporate Source, Inc.
- Cunningham Pianos
- Delaware Office Furniture
- Diane’s Discount Pet Supplies
- Ducky’s Office Furniture
- Flocco’s Shoes, Clothes & Formal
- Hailun Pianos
- Kalan LP
- Klein’s Supermarket
- McClees Galleries
- Merion Art & Repro Center
- National Coolers
- Office Furniture Outlet of New Jersey
- Out There Outfitters
- Overnight Office
- Penn Photomounts
- Petapoluza
- Right Size Facility
- Robert Stevens Appliances
- South Street Sounds
- Suburban Hardware
- Taylor Music
- The Art Store
- The Bead Garden
- The Hobby Shop
- The Music Den
- Tiny Terra Ferma
- Troubadour Music Shop
- Turnstone
- Victor Litz
- Watermark USA