OpenGiving introduces a fundamentally different approach: marketplace infrastructure for impact.
Instead of asking only for cash, we enable three routes to contribution:
- Sellers list items and choose what percentage goes to campaigns they support
- Buyers shop knowing their purchases automatically fund causes
- Donors can still give directly when they prefer
Simple Mechanics, Powerful Impact
The mechanics are simple but powerful.
Example: When someone sells an old guitar for $200 with 50% routed to a local music education campaign:
- $100 flows automatically to that campaign
- The seller keeps $100
- When someone buys that guitar, they get an instrument they wanted AND contribute to music education
Everyone wins — the transaction that would have happened anyway now creates tracked, verified impact.
Expanding Who Can Participate
This model dramatically expands who can participate in fundraising:
The college student without spare cash can sell textbooks.
The busy professional can shop with purpose during their normal routine.
The declutterer can turn closet cleanouts into community impact.
The shopper looking for deals also supports causes they care about.
Participation no longer requires financial sacrifice — it can happen through everyday economic activity.
How Funds Flow
When you participate on OpenGiving:
- List an item → Choose a campaign and percentage to route
- Someone purchases → Payment is processed securely
- Automatic split → Funds route to you AND the campaign
- Impact recorded → Both parties get verified profile updates
No manual transfers. No complicated accounting. The infrastructure handles everything.
For Campaigns
Campaign creators benefit from:
- Multiple revenue streams beyond direct donations
- Community engagement through marketplace activity
- Verified, trackable support from participants
- Ongoing momentum as items sell over time
