community way - texts

business - community - people


business in the community


good business supports community projects

  • it's part of responsible business - but it's a costly part.
  • there are many appeals, and every donation, in cash or kind, is expensive.
  • so good business gives - and it hurts.

community way offers a simple and effective way for any business in the community to:

  • be generous,
  • save cash, and
  • develop its customer base.
a no-compromise way of doing good and doing well.


benefits for business

  • donations to causes without using cash or stock
  • generates loyalty
  • develops community economy


how community way works

businesses donate "merchant credits" to their choice of projects, charities and non-profits participating in the program (generally, donations are tax deductible).

"merchants credits" are promises, issued by donor businesses, and measured in $, to supply their goods and services, and are redeemed in much the same way as discount coupons.

all purchases with "credits" are made according to terms and conditions set by each issuing business, which might:

  • set a limit on the % of any sale accepted in credits, to ensure that all cash costs are covered
  • exclude some goods or services from the offer
  • restrict acceptance to particular days or times

practical details

  • the minimum initial merchant credit contribution is $500
  • several point of sale systems are available
  • normal taxes, income tax and GST, apply to transactions in merchant credits
  • there are no setup fees

community supports business that supports community


further programs for community and market development are available


community service groups


raising funds for community needs has never been easy, and money, from government, business and the public alike, is getting scarce.

competition between agencies is hard on communities and leads to exhaustion of donors and fund-raisers.


community way offers an efficient and effective way of raising funds

  • donations in merchant credits are much easier to raise than donations in kind or cash,
  • then people can simply (and painlessly) help by giving you cash for your credits,
  • and you can get to work on what matters.
it's a co-operative way of getting community needs and resources together.


how it works

  • you write a proposal, stating your purpose and the funding sought, for community way to circulate.
  • businesses make direct donations of merchant credits to your community way account.
  • you can use these credits as part of your normal expenditures or you can offer them to the general public in exchange for cash.

people do what they can to help others

  • when they can, people give money, and they volunteer their time
  • but it's getting harder to give, and as the needs increase, it's harder to choose


through community way, people can lend support to good causes by simply changing the way they spend their money

  • people can help without hurting, which means they can do more to help
  • their evident support encourages others to do the same
  • and it's good for the community that people shop local

people vote for the community they want, with their shopping $


how to make change for the better

  • decide how much money you want to change.
  • select the projects and charities you want to help.
  • fill out the form, specifying the amount for each of your choices.
  • put your money down.
  • get your community way card.

how to use your community way card

  • check the community way list, and look for the logo at stores and restaurants.

  • check the terms of trade before buying.
  • show the card.
  • sign on the line / swipe for cw / smart.

  • check your monthly community way statement.
  • reload as required.

in summary ....

    local businesses donate credits to the charities, projects
    and causes they want to support ....

      people support their favourite community services by
      exchanging cash with them for their credits ....

        people spend their credits with the businesses
        that support the community



Last Revised 26, April 1996 by Nigel Stewart