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ShopMyCause, an online shopping business, launched in Virginia this month with a new model that connects local businesses and customers to raise money for community organizations serving kids.
The platform helps local businesses by promoting their goods and services to community parents and other supporters. Businesses craft offers that are listed on the ShopMyCause site with a percentage of each sale going to support youth-focused organizations. ShopMyCause provides free ongoing marketing support, with a small fee going to support platform maintenance when items are purchased.
Schools, PTAs, athletic teams, nonprofits, and others are partnering with ShopMyCause to offer their boards, parents, and fundraising teams the platform. Similar to rewards points, ShopMyCause uses a point system for purchases, resulting, for example, in a donation of $100 for every 1,000 points or $1 per 10 points.
While other national businesses typically give a small percentage, ShopMyCause targets a much higher rate, typically 20 percent or more, so customers’ purchases make a bigger impact.
Tech innovator Chris Martin is initially focusing on expanding the platform's presence in three key Virginia markets: Greater Richmond, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads; in 2020, ShopMyCause move into other Virginia markets and beyond. For details, e-mail chris@shopmycause.org or visit shopmycause.org.
