Rounding up a few cents at check out can really add up to a significant sum for local non-profits. Your co-op donated more than $40-thousand dollars to local non-profits through our Change for Community program in 2020. Average monthly fundraising from asking customers to round up purchases to the nearest dollar has tripled since moving to a bigger new space about a year ago.
To raise that kind of money, consistency in asking customers to round up is key. The pandemic has made that especially challenging with communication barriers including masks and plexiglass, but staff have been dedicated to the cause. One of our cashiers (Mason) came up with a solution—holding up a sign asking if you’d like to round up—for when it’s too difficult to hear.
“While it’s certainly never expected, we’d like to relay a heartfelt thank you to our shoppers who have rounded up. The success of this program is a testament to their generosity and the passion our staff has for community,” General Manager Matt Stanley said.
Through our Change for Community program, we raised a total of $64,130.56 in 32-months benefiting dozens of local non-profits. $40,347 was from 2020 alone. The monthly record was $4,732.95 for Clatsop Animal Assistance. Local non-profits serving our lower Columbia region can apply online. Our staff review applications and select recipients.
The current (January 2021) Change for Community recipient is North Coast Land Conservancy’s Rain Forest Reserve Project which aims to conserve 32-square miles of Oregon’s coastal forest. Anyone can shop at the co-op and can contribute to the program by rounding up or donating pocket change.