OpenGiving is marketplace infrastructure for participatory fundraising.
Traditional platforms accept cash and move on. We build the system that lets communities support each other in multiple ways.
The Key Differences
Multiple Ways to Participate
Traditional platforms:
- Cash contributions only
- One-time transactions
- Passive participation
OpenGiving:
- Direct contributions
- Marketplace sales
- Purchases that fund a campaign
- Ongoing engagement
Identity and Tracking
Traditional platforms:
- Anonymous or minimal identity
- No history after the transaction
- Contributions disappear into the void
OpenGiving:
- GivingProfiles track everything
- Public record of impact
- Levels, streaks, and badges
- A history built from the payments we settled
Marketplace Integration
Traditional platforms:
- Separate from commerce
- No way to contribute through goods
OpenGiving:
- Built-in marketplace for goods, digital products and services
- Sell items to fund campaigns
- Shop and support automatically
- The seller doesn't have to transfer anything to the campaign
The Infrastructure Mindset
We think of ourselves as infrastructure, not a destination.
Like Stripe provides payment rails, we provide participation rails. Campaigns, sellers, and buyers use our mechanics. We handle the complexity — payments, routing, records — so communities can focus on what matters.
Who Benefits
Campaign creators:
- Reach beyond cash-only supporters
- Engage community through marketplace
- Build credibility with a public giving record
Sellers:
- Contribute without spending money
- Build impact profiles
- Clear items and support causes
Buyers:
- Shop with purpose
- Automatic impact through purchases
- No extra effort to contribute
The Vision
Giving should be visible, recorded, and participatory. OpenGiving builds the infrastructure to make that possible.