FLIPGIVE – Shop and raise money for your scholarship or fundraising program – its that easy
The New Way To Shop For Great Deals As You Raise Money For Your Scholarship or Fundraising Goals. For Sports teams, clubs, schools, and causes – Earn up to 50% for your fundraiser when you shop online with popular retailers. FlipGive is a digital marketplace that connects shoppers to retailers through fundraising. The platform revolutionizes both grassroots fundraising and corporate giving; helping people raise more money faster by driving sales, loyalty and positive social impact for brands.
FlipGive is a fundraising platform where people raise money by doing what they do every day — just shop online with popular retailers. Need money to fund a scholarship player? Want to raise money to help a team travel to Europe to compete in a youth tournament? On a great team that might make it to a national competition and want to fundraise to cover travel costs? Here is the easiest solution we have ever seen.
Related Article: WORST MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN FUNDRAISING
Teams, clubs or parents can earn up to 50% back when parents, players and their friends shop online for the things they want and need. The money can really add up, especially as the average order when shopping on FlipGive is $100. Even for small stuff – ever buy Starbucks? Starbucks gives up to 5% and just think of how many soccer parents spend money at Starbucks. You can start raising money before you really wake up!
Shop on these sites through FlipGive and your cause can receive up to:
- Under Armour – 15%.
- REI.com – 10%.
- Nike – 20%
- Reebok -10%
- Sony – 10%
- Groupon – 10%
- David’s Cookies -25%
- Buffalo Wild Wings & Applebee’s – 10%
How well does this program work? Well, shopping online has enjoyed a double-digit year-over-year growth rate heading into 2015. What part of your wallet do you spend online? According to the think tank Forrester Research, “By 2020, the online spend per buyer will reach $2,500, a 7% annual increase from 2015.” That is huge. By the way, more than 80% of the American online population own a smartphone and yes, they use it to shop and yes, shopping online with FlipGive is easy.
Diane Scavuzzo interviewed Steve Croth, Co-Founder and CEO at FlipGive – a man who believes in being a socially responsible entrepreneur who is dedicated to building businesses that do good and make money.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is FlipGive?
Steve Croth: FlipGive is an online fundraising platform where teams and clubs raise money by shopping online with popular retailers. They earn up to 50% back on their spend with great retailers like Under Armour, Starbucks, REI, Anthropologie, ALDO, Fanatics and more.
Diane Scavuzzo: What inspired you to kick off FlipGive?
Steve Croth: I was in mid-career and was looking for a company that had a purpose built into its DNA. I wanted to do some good in addition to making money. As a parent of two elementary aged children who also attend a public school and play competitive and club sports, and I was constantly being asked to give money or help fundraise for worthwhile causes.
And the choices for fundraising – selling overpriced products, hosting bake sales, fun fairs, auctions and poker nights – all required a lot of effort, organization, and coordination of people; the time and effort of these fundraisers didn’t justify the amount raised. I knew there had to be a better way.
The thinking was – retailers are looking for a better way to connect with their shoppers, they also want to have more impact in their communities, and people NEED to shop. Why not use the power of shopping (and our spending dollars) to help raise money?
Raise money while you shop for things you need.
This works just through the simple act of choosing WHERE to buy your groceries, clothes, sports equipment, sports apparel, home stuff, gifts, etc.
Diane Scavuzzo: Why do you think fundraising is so important today in the world of youth soccer?
Steve Croth: Across the board, the cost of sports is increasing by 8-10% per year. Soccer is no different. From training programs to coaching, to equipment, to field time, to tournaments, travel and even software to keep the team organized, all of these things cost money. Parents want to give their kids the best experience possible – but there comes a point where the cost becomes burdensome. So fundraising helps fill the gap between what people are willing and able to pay and the cost of participating. Fundraising can help parents pay for travel, tournaments that give their kids a unique experience and fund registration fees.
Fundraising provides accessibility; supporting players that otherwise couldn’t afford the sport at all.
Diane Scavuzzo: Have you actually ever had to fundraise?
Steve Croth: Yes. My first fundraiser was for my school in fifth grade. I sold boxes of 20 spices door to door. I think my parents ended up buying most of the boxes. But I remember being motivated by the prize.
In my adult life, I’ve had to fundraise for my children’s teams, dance club, and school. I’ve also had to fundraise for various charities I support. I don’t like fundraising. It sucks. I think most people would agree with this. You feel like you’re constantly asking the same people for their hard earned money. For a cause you care about – but they may not.
FlipGive takes the awkwardness out of fundraising. You’re simply asking people to buy things they actually want and need; in support of you.
Diane Scavuzzo: What has been your greatest challenge so far?
Steve Croth: Our greatest challenge has been getting the word out. To get parents to tell one another about FlipGive and to use it throughout the year. FlipGive should be used whenever you’re shopping to get the full benefit of the product. So not only do people need to know about it, but it has to be a part of their shopping habit.
Diane Scavuzzo: What inspires you?
Steve Croth: I’m inspired by many things. But most of all, I get inspired by a sense of purpose. I think we’re at a point in history where we need to take responsibility for our future (as a species) and make our future better for everyone. I’m inspired by other leaders in the world that share this philosophy and also want to drive positive social change; leaders who do amazing things that can truly change the world for the better. And being a B Corporation; combining purpose and profit is all about this. And I want the world to see that there is a better, more responsible way to operate a business.
Diane Scavuzzo: What superpower would you like to have and why?
Steve Croth: If I could choose one superpower, it would probably be the ability to fly. Flying would allow me to have a new perspective on the world, to go anywhere I wanted and to have a complete sense of freedom. I’ve always said, that soaring birds (eagles, hawks etc.) are so lucky to be able to do what they do.
Diane Scavuzzo: The future is here: Youth soccer and technology. Your thoughts on parents, coaches, and players embracing technology. Why has it taken so long?
Steve Croth: Technology is here to solve a problem. It’s supposed to simplify and make our lives easier. My son’s team uses Teamsnap for scheduling, communicating and for polling. We have found it makes our lives so much easier. No more searching through emails or spreadsheets.
Mobile phones and team management apps (like Teamsnap) solve a fundamental problem (of managing a team) and give us a simple and easy way to interact with others on the team and keep up to date. Technology isn’t adopted uniformly; so it’ll take some time for everyone to use it. But once they start using it, they’ll wish they started sooner.
Diane Scavuzzo: When did FlipGive launch?
Steve Croth: FlipGive in its current state launched in May 2014. Prior to this, we provided our technology platform to help automate and digitize offline fundraising programs for retailers and brands.
Diane Scavuzzo: How much money have people raised though FlipGive?
Steve Croth: Since inception, FlipGive has helped schools, sports teams and other fundraisers raise over $3.5 million across North America.
Diane Scavuzzo: Where have you had the best adoption?
Steve Croth: Adoption is highest in California, Texas, the East Coast and Northern Central USA. Adoption has to do with our partnerships and with people telling other people about FlipGive.
Diane Scavuzzo: Why do retailers like Starbucks or Under Armour give back a share of the revenue to fundraisers?
Steve Croth: Our retail partners want to help their customers in their lives. And they want to have more impact in their communities. But they also realize they only have so much money to give. But when you make giving part of their business model – use it as a way to drive business, it allows them to have more impact and drive their top and bottom lines. It’s a much better way to drive sales.
Diane Scavuzzo: How many retailers do you have now?
Steve Croth: We have 50+ retailers/brands and thousands of products to choose from.
Diane Scavuzzo: How many do you expect to have in 12 months? 24 months?
Steve Croth: We’d like to add a handful of retailers in some key shopping categories; we believe we already have an offering that provides everything people need, so we won’t be adding too many more.
Diane Scavuzzo: Any goals for how much you would like to see FlipGive raise this year?
Steve Croth: We’d like the company to help people raise over $4 million this year – it’s an ambitious goal. But one that would make us proud.
Diane Scavuzzo: Is shopping seasonal? What advice would you share with our SoccerToday readers to help them be successful using FlipGive as a tool for fundraising?
Steve Croth: Shopping is not seasonal. Think about all the times we shop during the year. Back to School, Birthdays, Special Events, Holiday’s and when we just need something. To be successful using FlipGive, all the players’ parents should shop throughout the year on the site – buy things for themselves or someone else. To be really successful, they should also recruit family members and friends to shop as well.
This will give them more people spending; so they can raise a lot of money.
