Business Recruitment Guide
Every local business you bring on is one more place your supporters can shop and generate givebacks for the causes they choose. You’re not asking for a donation—you’re offering the business a place in front of supporters who choose where they spend.
One honest note: a business you recruit gives to whichever cause each shopper picks—not automatically to your nonprofit. Your nonprofit is funded when your own supporters (who’ve selected you in the app) shop, so recruiting businesses grows the places they can give from. You don’t earn a cut of the business’s sales.
The Mindset Shift
Traditional nonprofit-business relationships feel one-sided: you ask, they give (or don’t). ShopGiv changes the dynamic completely.
| Traditional Approach | ShopGiv Approach |
|---|---|
| “Would you donate to our cause?” | “I can put you in front of people who shop on purpose.” |
| You’re asking for money | You’re offering value |
| Business sees cost | Business sees opportunity |
| One-time transaction | Ongoing relationship |
| Feels like charity | Feels like partnership |
Key Insight: Business owners get pitched for donations constantly. They’re conditioned to say no. Being listed to people who choose where they spend, at a giveback the owner sets themselves, is a different conversation.
The “Community Hero” Pitch
Business owners respond to two primary motivators: being seen by people who choose where they spend (reach) and community recognition (reputation).
Opening Lines
“Our supporters use an app that shows them local businesses that give back. I’d like to get you on that list. Interested?”
“What if you could show up for people who go looking for businesses that support [cause]—and be known as one of them?”
“Are you familiar with ShopGiv? It’s a platform that connects values-driven customers with local businesses like yours.”
The 60-Second Explanation
“ShopGiv is a free app where people choose a cause to support—like [Nonprofit Name]. When they shop at businesses in the app, those businesses contribute a small portion to the cause.
Here’s the key: Your giveback is computed from approved sales logged in ShopGiv, at the rate you set. It is the same computation whether the shopper is a first-timer or a regular.
So you get exposure to supporters of every nonprofit on the platform, and credit for the giving your counter generates. Shoppers get to support the causes they care about. And those causes get funded every time someone shops. Everyone wins.
Enrolling takes about 10 minutes. Would you be open to learning more?”
Handling Common Objections
“I can’t afford to give away part of my margin.”
“I totally get that concern. Here’s the thing: ShopGiv doesn’t pick that figure — you do. A percentage of the sale, a flat amount per sale, or a capped option if you want a ceiling on it.
If a percentage on a big ticket is the worry, the capped model exists for exactly that — you set the ceiling, and the giveback on a sale is never more than that figure. Whatever figure you land on, you can set it yourself. And if the standard models genuinely don’t fit how you work, we can set up a custom arrangement with you directly — that one we configure for you, so it takes a little longer to go live.
So it isn’t a line you budget for. It’s a share of business you have already done, at a figure you chose and can change yourself on the standard models.”
“I already donate to charities.”
“That’s great—it shows you care about the community. ShopGiv works differently from writing a cheque, though: your giving moves with your sales instead of coming out of a budget line.
You’re listed to supporters of every nonprofit on the platform, and when one of them shops with you, the giveback is credited to the cause they chose, with your business named as the source. Your contribution is computed after the sale, from the sale.
It’s giving that moves with your business rather than against it—and it puts your name in front of people who care that you do it.”
“I need to think about it.”
“Of course! Here’s a one-pager that explains everything. Take your time to review it.
I’ll follow up in a few days to answer any questions. And if you want, I can connect you with another local business owner who’s already a vendor—they can share their experience directly.”
Important: Always leave a one-pager. Always follow up.
“What’s the catch?”
“No catch. The app is free for shoppers. Your giveback is computed from approved sales logged in ShopGiv, at the rate you set.
Honestly, the only risk is that your competitors sign up first and get that community hero positioning before you do.”
What It Costs—and What They Control
Owners want to know exactly what they are signing up for. These four facts are the whole answer, and each one is something they control.
They pick the model
A percentage of the sale, a flat amount per sale, or a capped option. Percentage, flat and capped are self-serve; a custom arrangement is one we set up with them directly.
A ceiling, if they want one
The capped models let the owner set a ceiling, so the giveback is never more than the figure they chose. On a plain percentage or flat model there is no ceiling — say so plainly rather than implying every model has one.
Computed from real sales
The giveback is computed from a supporter’s completed purchase, at the rate the business set. It is the same computation for a first-time shopper and a ten-year regular.
They stay in control
On the standard models the rate can move up or down whenever the owner decides. Participation can be paused at any time.
Say this part out loud. The giveback is computed from any qualifying purchase a ShopGiv supporter makes with them, including regulars who would have come in anyway. ShopGiv does not tell a first-time shopper apart from a ten-year customer, and you should not suggest otherwise. What the business gets is visibility with supporters across the platform and credit for the giving, not a promise of extra footfall. Owners respect hearing this up front, and it is the version of the pitch that survives contact with their own books.
Who to Recruit
High-Frequency Businesses
People visit regularly:
- • Restaurants and cafes
- • Coffee shops
- • Hair salons / barbershops
- • Auto repair and maintenance
- • Dry cleaners
- • Pet services
High-Ticket Businesses
Larger purchases:
- • Auto repair shops
- • Home services (HVAC, plumbing)
- • Furniture stores
- • Fitness studios
Community-Minded Owners
Already care about giving back:
- • Businesses that sponsor local events
- • Owners in Rotary, Chamber, etc.
- • “Locally owned” messaging
Follow-Up Strategy
Timeline
Follow-Up Script
Did you get a chance to look at the information? I’d love to answer any questions and help you get set up.
Let me know if you’d like to chat or if I should check back another time.”
Conversation Framework
The Approach
If you know them: “Hey [Name], I want to share something that could help your business AND support [Nonprofit]. Got 5 minutes?”
If you’re a customer: “I love this place, and I’d like more people like me to know you’re here. Have you heard of ShopGiv?”
The Hook
“There’s a community of people around here who pick where they shop based on who gives back. I can get you in front of them.”
Pause. Let them respond.
The Explanation
Give the 60-second explanation (above). Focus on: they set the rate, the giveback is computed from approved sales logged in ShopGiv, including sales to customers they already had, and they become visible to supporters across the platform.
Handle Questions
Use the objection responses above. Stay conversational, not defensive.
The Close
If interested: “Great! Enrolling takes about 10 minutes. Would you like to do it now, or should I follow up tomorrow?”
If they need time: “Totally understand. Here’s a one-pager. I’ll check back in a few days.”
Need Help?
Want ShopGiv to help with a tricky business conversation? We can:
- • Join you for a pitch meeting
- • Provide a warm introduction
- • Answer technical questions