Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Where does the name buythechange come from?What is "the change" members are buying?
Why should I buy the change when I can post free on other sites?
Is my membership tax deductible?
What are the differences between a personal and business membership?
Can I buy both a personal and business membership?
Can I really choose to benefit any non-profit?
How will my non-profit receive the money from my membership?
Will my membership renew automatically?
Can I cancel my membership?
Questions from People
How much does a personal membership cost?What if I forget my password?
Is it safe to pay online?
Will my information be sold or shared?
Questions from Businesses
How much does a business membership cost?What if I forget my password?
Is it safe to pay online?
Will my information be sold or shared?
Questions from Non-Profits
Do non-profits really join free?When will we receive the money we earn from buythechange?
If you still have unanswered questions, please contact us.
General Questions 
Where does the name buythechange come from?
The name buythechange is a twist on "Be the Change" from Mahatma Gandhi's famous quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." "Buying the change" is a conscious choice to spend your money in a way that strengthens the communities you care about.
What is "the change" members are buying?
"The change" is stronger, more vibrant communities. Our members vote with their dollars in support of:
- authentic connections with neighbors and the broader community
- diverse and thriving local retail and independent businesses
- the essential role and inherent value of non-profit organizations
Why should I buy the change when I can post free on other sites?
Buying the change makes a statement that you prefer "authentic and local" to "free and anonymous".
When you buy the change, you give other community-minded people a reason to buy from you rather than a total stranger or one of your competitors. Over time you'll build relationships with people and businesses that share a commitment to your community and the causes you care about. Every posting on buythechange comes from an identifiable person, business or non-profit so you know who you're dealing with. Chances are someone connected to you has what you need, or needs what you have. Best of all, your membership makes a difference to the non-profit you choose.
Is my membership tax deductible?
No, it's not, because you are receiving something of value (unlimited advertising) in exchange for your membership fee.
What are the differences between a personal and business membership?
There is no difference in features between personal and business memberships. Both have a full profile and can post unlimited ads. The only difference is that with a personal membership posts and connections are made in your name, and with a business membership posts and connections are made in your business' name. For example, Anita Baker who owns Chow Bella catering could buy a personal membership and place a service ad for catering under her name, or she could buy a business membership and advertise goods, services and events under Chow Bella's name. If you offer a single service it probably makes sense to get a personal membership, but if you want to promote business events, advertise job openings, or sell a variety of goods and services through your business, a business profile will give you more credibility.
Can I buy both a personal and business membership?
Yes. A number of our members have both personal and business memberships. You may want a personal membership to make personal connections and buy and sell goods and services for your home, and a business membership to promote your business' goods, services and events, and to make business connections. The memberships can benefit the same non-profit, or different non-profits as you choose.
Can I really choose to benefit any non-profit?
Yes! buythechange has a database of more than 1 million non-profits to choose from, and if you don't find the one you are most passionate about you can register it with us. When you do, others may choose to support it as well.
How will my non-profit receive the money from my membership?
buythechange makes a contribution to your non-profit in your name the month after you join. Because of your contribution, your non-profit will have a free profile on buythechange and likely will receive additional funds from their members and others in the neighborhood.
Will my membership renew automatically?
No. You will be reminded that your membership is about to expire, but it will not renew without your authorization.
Can I cancel my membership?
buythechange offers great value for your membership through a combination of unlimited postings and contributing 1/3 to the non-profit of your choice. You may cancel your membership but there are no refunds of membership fees unless you mistakenly ordered and paid for duplicate memberships through buythechange and seek to cancel, and obtain a refund on, the duplicate(s) only. We cannot, however, provide a refund on the original membership. Please see complete details in Section 19 of our Terms of Use.
Questions from People
How much does a personal membership cost?
A personal membership is $24 for a year. You get unlimited postings and your non-profit gets $8! Join now by clicking here.
What if I forget my password?
Click the "Forgot Password?" link on the sign-in page. You may also click here to reset your password.
Is it safe to pay online?
Yes! Payments to buythechange are encrypted and are secured through a payment gateway system.
Will my information be sold or shared?
Your privacy is important to us. At no time will we sell or share your personal information. See our privacy policy here.
If you still have unanswered questions, please contact us.
Questions from Businesses
How much does a business membership cost?
A business membership is $120 for a year. You get unlimited postings and your non-profit gets $40! Join now by clicking here.
What if I forget my password?
Click the "Forgot Password?" link on the sign-in page. You may also click here to reset your password.
Is it safe to pay online?
Yes! Payments to buythechange are encrypted and are secured through a payment gateway system.
Will my information be sold or shared?
Your privacy is important to us. At no time will we sell or share your personal information. See our privacy policy here. If you still have unanswered questions, please contact us.
Questions from Non-Profits
Do non-profits really join free?
Yes! Non-profits join free, yet they experience many benefits of membership, including a profile, unlimited postings and connections, and the ability to earn revenue from members who buy the change to benefit them.
When will we receive the money we earn from buythechange?
You'll receive a contribution from buythechange, in the name of the member, the month after the member joins. Think of buythechange as a supplemental recurring revenue stream that will grow with time as you spread the word and the network grows. For complete details, please see our Terms of Use.
If you still have unanswered questions, please contact us.