How does SmallGyfts help local businesses get more referrals?

SmallGyfts helps local businesses turn happy customers into repeat buyers and warm referrals. After a sale, you give customers a branded card with a discount that brings them back. They can also share the card with friends, family, and neighbors. If you choose to offer the community donation feature, customers can direct a donation from your business to a local cause they care about, putting your name in front of entire networks of potential customers.

Can a business offer both a discount and a community donation?

Yes. The front of the card gives customers a discount for their next purchase. If you choose to add the donation feature, the back of the card lets customers direct a donation from your business to a local cause they care about. The donation feature is optional and can be added at any time.

How much does SmallGyfts cost compared to lead generation platforms?

SmallGyfts is free to start with digital cards. The community donation feature is pay-as-you-go with no monthly fees. Physical cards start at $2.00 each with a minimum order of 250. Unlike lead platforms where you pay per lead and compete with other businesses, SmallGyfts gives you exclusive referrals from people who already trust the person who sent them.

What types of businesses use SmallGyfts?

SmallGyfts works for any local business that values repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals, including home services contractors, auto dealers, restaurants, salons, retail shops, and professional services. Any business where happy customers can bring in new ones will benefit.

How do the community donations work?

You purchase donation credits and set the donation amount on your cards. When customers redeem, they choose a local cause to receive the donation. The donation comes from your business, and the cause and its supporters start hearing your name. Credits are only used when redeemed, never expire, and unused credits are fully refundable.

Do I need the donation feature or can I just use the discount cards?

You can use SmallGyfts either way. Discount-only cards give customers a reason to come back and something to hand to friends. Adding the community donation feature expands your reach by putting your name in front of entire networks of potential customers through local churches, schools, and community groups. Many businesses start with discounts only and add donations later.

How do I record SmallGyfts payments in my bookkeeping?

SmallGyfts payments are recorded as marketing or advertising expenses, the same category you use for Google Ads or Angi. Simply categorize all payments as marketing expense. It's fully tax-deductible as an ordinary business expense.

Who handles the tax reporting and 1099 forms?

SmallGyfts handles all tax reporting and 1099 forms for local causes. Businesses simply purchase credits from SmallGyfts and deduct it as a marketing expense. If a cause receives over $600 in donations during a calendar year, SmallGyfts issues them a 1099-MISC.

What if I want to cancel?

Free tier has nothing to cancel. Pay-as-You-Go has no commitment and unused credits are refundable. Business/PRO subscription can be cancelled anytime with no fees. You keep your physical cards and can continue using them at Pay-as-You-Go rates.

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What Are Referral Rewards?

SmallGyfts businesses thank customers by redirecting funds they would normally spend on marketing to local causes. The customer choose the cause that gets the donation.

Save money, support your favorite causes, and keep your community strong all without spending more.

Find Local Businesses

Discover businesses in your area offering referral rewards. From HVAC to plumbing and more — find businesses that give back.

Direct Impact

Choose where referral rewards go — your church, your kid's school, your favorite local charity. You control where your purchases create impact.

Build Community

When local businesses support causes you choose, everyone wins. Stronger businesses. Funded causes. Thriving communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best people, businesses and causes

How does SmallGyfts work for members?

Shop with local businesses offering SmallGyfts to save money on products and services you need.
When you make a purchase, direct referral rewards, small donations, to your church, school, or favorite charity.
Share SmallGyfts with friends and family so they can save money and support causes too.

What does it cost me?

SmallGyfts is completely free for members. No fees, no subscriptions, no hidden costs.
You get discounts from businesses and the ability to direct rewards to causes at no cost to you.

Who are the best People?

We understand the value of local businesses, and when given the choice, we support those in our community that suport local causes and offer referral rewards.
We support causes making a real difference in our community, so we choose to direct the rewards we earn to those causes creating meaningful impact.
We love to connect and share what we discover with our family, friends, and neighbors. We want them to thrive, so we help where we can.

Still have questions?

Send an email to info@smallgyfts.com and we'll respond within 24 hours.

How does SmallGyfts help my business?

Turn customers into your best promoters without awkwardly asking for referrals. They share naturally when they tell their community you supported their cause.
Keep your marketing dollars in the community instead of sending them to Google or Facebook. Same budget, better results, local impact.
Build customer loyalty and trust by connecting your business with causes that matter to your customers.

How much does it cost?

Start free by sending digital reward cards to customers. No setup fees, no monthly charges.
When you're ready to activate referral rewards, just buy credits as needed. You control your budget and decide when to send rewards. A business Subscription - $49/Month, is required to activate and manage physical reward cards and tags

Who are the best Businesses?

Add a business

First and foremost, we take pride in our work and offer high-value, top-quality products and services to our customers.
We value our customers' loyalty. As part of our impact sharing program, we offer referral rewards that allow them to share with local causes they care about.
We believe strong businesses help build strong communities. That's why we actively support organizations that are making a positive difference where we live and work.

How do referral rewards help local causes?

Local businesses spend part of their marketing budget to thank customers by letting them direct rewards to causes they care about.
Instead of sending marketing dollars to Google or Facebook, businesses support your community and your supporters choose where those rewards go.
Causes receive monthly payments when their balance reaches $100. We handle all tax reporting.

How can our cause use SmallGyfts?

Add your cause to the SmallGyfts directory for free—whether you're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, church, school, sports team, or grassroots community group.
When your supporters buy from local businesses, they can direct referral rewards to your cause. You receive funds automatically.
No fundraising required. No fees ever. Just passive funding when community members choose to support you.

Who are the best Causes?

Add a cause

Our mission is focused on improving the lives of people in our community.
The impact we create motivates people to direct the rewards they earn to supporting our work.
We encourage our supporters to shop with local businesses that fuel community growth through impact sharing—strengthening the neighborhood and generating referral rewards that help us achieve our mission.

Save Money. Help Your Favorite Cause.

What Are Referral Rewards?

Find Local Businesses

Direct Impact

Build Community

Ready to start? Sign up and start saving money and making your community better.

Frequently Asked Questions

... Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?....