Common Questions from Organizations
Does it cost anything to establish a Charity Blast account?
No. Charity Blast accounts are free. (for a nominal fee we also offer a premium account that gives added features such as allowing origanizations to accept credit card donations online)
What's the catch?
There is no catch! Using Charity Blast is a win-win-win for organizations, for retailers, and for our company. Retailers want your business and offer incentives through Charity Blast so that you will shop online at their stores. As your supporters shop, a percentage of every sale is given to your organization (as indicated next to every ad on your shopping page), and a percentage of every purchase is also given to Charity Blast for our services.
OK, there's no catch... is there a downside?
There is no downside either! Charity Blast is a small company offering a fast-growing online fundraising program that offers a 100% upside and limitless earning potential for worthy causes. Our goal is to make it easy for worthy causes to earn money they need for their programs, without hassles or excessive fees.
How much money could this generate for my organization?
We estimate that each supporter can very easily generate $15 within minutes for their designated charity or school just by taking advantage of free offers on Charity Blast. Another $35 per supporter per year can be earned just by shopping online at stores they'd typically visit anyway (like Staples, Gap, Target, Dick's, Old Navy, Barnes & Noble, or Best Buy).
Here's an example of what your organization
can potentially earn using Charity Blast, if each supporter
earns between $25 and $200 annually by shopping online:*
50 Supporters: $1,250-10,000+ annually
200 Supporters: $5,000-40,000+ annually
500 Supporters: $12,500-100,000+ annually
1,000 Supporters: $25,000-200,000+ annually
5,000 Supporters: $125,000-1,000,000+ annually
10,000 Supporters: $250,000-2,000,000+ annually
The sky is the limit. For example, there's an individual who very recently purchased some inkjet cartridges and used Charity Blast to support his cause by winning items on eBay. Because eBay gives revenue for every item won in an auction, this one supporter was able to generate $200 for his cause in a very short amount of time. Multiply this by the number of your supporters and your organization can do extremely well!
There are also organizations who sign up and use Charity Blast only for purchasing office supplies for their in-house needs. By doing so, they have been able to raise thousands of dollars by making purchases they would be making anyway. The bottom line is that it's free money for your organization!
The more people you direct to your Charity Blast storefront, the more money will be directed toward your cause, and there is no cap on how much money we will give to charities.
Where does the money come from?
For every transaction, the stores on our website give a specified amount of money as "referral" compensation. At Charity Blast, we've developed a way to track and direct revenue we receive from these affiliate compensations and give a percentage of the proceeds to charities. In other words, a portion of advertiser dollars is passed along to the organization you've chosen to support. The stores benefit from advertising, your organization benefits from free funds, and your supporters benefit from special discounts they would not have otherwise received. (not to mention the added and more important benefit of feeling good about supporting your cause!)
Are there any monthly or annual transaction minimums in order to keep our account?
There are no monthly minimums required to maintain your Charity Blast account. However, if your account remains dormant for 45 days your account may be terminated.
Are there hidden costs to supporters as they shop?
There are no hidden fees for either your supporters or for your organization. Shopping by clicking on a store on Charity Blast simply connects you to that retailer's website and the shopping experience is seamless.
Do you ONLY accept organizations with 501(c)3 non-profit status?
No. Charity Blast programs are perfect for organizations of all types, from private corporations to non-profit groups to private family savings funds.
Will you barrage my supporters with emails?
Charity Blast ONLY sends emails to those who sign up for our email list, and they can opt out at any time. Typically we send out an email once/week with valuable coupon codes they can use when they shop. Addresses are never shared with a third party for any reason.
Can you send my supporters emails if I give my address book to you?
We'd love to be able to do that for you but legally we cannot. Though you are giving us permission, we need the permission of each individual on your email list personally in order to send out offers to shop for your cause. Feel free to use the "send to a friend" feature at the top of the shopping pages and fill in your supporters' emails there.
What if a supporter purchases an item through a retailer on Charity Blast and it is defective?
When your supporters shop, they do not shop on our site directly. They simply click a link on your page and will then be redirected to that store. For example, when your supporter visits your page then clicks on an ad for Target, they will be brought directly to the www.Target.com website and will shop there. If there is a problem with that transaction, they will deal with Target's customer service directly, as they normally would.
Are there any special forms to fill out to join?
For tax purposes, you'll just need to complete a W-9 form once your earnings reach $600 in a calendar year. Please mail a W-9 form to Charity Blast, LLC, 2840 S. College Rd. #353, Wilmington, NC 28412 in order to establish a record for tax documentation. You can begin using Charity Blast as soon as your storefront is set up, and funds will be credited to your account. If you do not have a W-9 form, please contact us at help@charityblast.com.
How does Charity Blast keep track of sales that occur within my shopping page?
Each link on your page is coded with a unique identification number to enable organizations to be properly credited for the actions taken from their site. When an item is purchased, the transaction is recorded and credited to the organization's account.
Are there additional milestone-based incentives for successful organizations?
Charity Blast offers milestone-based incentives to help motivate organizations in their fundraising efforts, and can be customized to the interests of the organization. Please contact us for details.
How will my organization get paid?
When supporters shop for your cause by clicking the store logos on your shopping page, your organization is automatically credited funds.
Charity Blast aggregates each organization's total dollar amount earned on a monthly basis. When the total amount of your earnings exceeds the minimum payout threshold ($20), your organization may choose to receive payment through either a check or through a verified PayPal account. There is no additional charge if we send a PayPal payment, though PayPal may charge a nominal fee for you to receive funds this way. PayPal accounts are free to establish and there are no monthly obligations.
Until an organization's account balance reaches the minimum payout, Charity Blast rolls over the previous month's earnings into the following month; funds will remain in the account until your account's balance reaches $20.
I am an individual looking to supplement my income using Charity Blast by asking my friends and family to shop through my personal Charity Blast storefront. Can I open an account?
While Charity Blast is geared toward charitable organizations, non-profit groups, and benevolent associations, individuals are welcomed to open accounts. Please fill out this form to submit your application.
I own a small business and am interested in advertising my store as a link on Charity Blast. How can I do this?
We are working on a program to involve local businesses such as yours-- we will keep you posted on developments. At the moment, we're working exclusively with proven large companies, but we look forward to serving the smaller ones in a similar capacity.
Common Questions from Shoppers
Will you barrage me with emails if I register?
Typically we send out an email once/week with valuable coupon codes that you can use when you shop. Your address is never shared with a third party for any reason. You can opt out of our email newsletter at any time.
How does Charity Blast keep track of purchases I make?
Each link on your organization's page is coded with a unique identification number to enable organizations to be properly credited for the actions taken from their site. When an item is purchased, the transaction is recorded and credited to the organization's account automatically.
Are there hidden costs I have to pay as I shop to support my cause?
There are no hidden fees for either you or for your organization. Shopping by clicking on a store on Charity Blast simply connects you to that retailer's website and the shopping experience is seamless.
What does the "Click for Discount Code" button next to the store logos mean?
When you see that button, it means that we have a private deal available from that store. Click the button, and register as a shopper to access these exclusive deals. Registering also allows you to send messages to organizations and allows you to bypass logging in each time you shop for a cause.
*estimates are for illustration purposes only. Charity Blast cannot guarantee actual revenue for your charity. The success of your fundraiser rests on your persistence, creativity and determination in getting the word out to your supporters!