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?

During the 30-day free trial there is nothing to cancel — just stop using the account and it will shift to read-only. After you subscribe, all paid tiers (Business Entry, Business Pro, Community Host) can be cancelled anytime with no fees. Unused donation credits are refundable.

SmallGyfts is a social giving platform that connects businesses, customers, and nonprofits through branded reward cards. Businesses use SmallGyfts to drive repeat business and referrals while supporting local causes.

What is a SmallGyfts Concierge Community?

A Concierge Community is a curated network of preferred local businesses, services, and experiences built by professionals like financial planners, realtors, and auto dealers. Clients carry one premium branded card that gives them access to perks at all participating businesses.

How do SmallGyfts reward cards work?

Businesses design branded reward cards (digital or physical) and share them with customers. Cards can include discounts, community access, or referral incentives. When a card is sent, an automated four-email follow-up sequence is triggered to drive engagement.

How much does SmallGyfts cost?

SmallGyfts has three public tiers. Business Entry and Business Pro both include a 30-day free trial. Business Entry is $249/month after the trial and includes the branded profile, digital and physical reward cards, donation tags, automated email sequences, Google review integration, visitor analytics, and listing in Givers Near Me. Business Pro is $349/month after the trial and adds one-touch call/text/message outreach, the Anser AI chatbot, push notifications to past visitors, Zapier CRM integration, and referral analytics. Community Host is $499/month and adds a branded concierge community page, business management, community analytics, physical concierge cards, and community-level deal management.

How does SmallGyfts support nonprofits?

SmallGyfts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the RIPPLE Program (Reward Inspiring People, Promoting Love Everywhere). Businesses can include a small donation option with their reward cards, allowing customers to direct contributions to local causes.

For Members

Save Money. Help Your Favorite Cause.

Item: SmallGyfts
Rating: 5
Author: Roland B., Hallman MSP

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

When you do business with local companies, you earn discounts for yourself AND small donations for your favorite cause.

Choose your church, kid's school, or other local causes at no cost to you.

For Nonprofits For Businesses

How It Works

Businesses Who Care

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. The money stays local to improve your community.

Find Local Businesses

Discover businesses in your area who do great work and give back. From HVAC to plumbing and more — find businesses that give back.

Direct Impact

Choose where the donations 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.

Testimonials

What Our Community Says

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"SmallGyfts is a gem in the small business community. Their heart for supporting local businesses and strengthening communities really stands out. This platform is pure gold! It's thoughtful, impactful, and relationship-driven."

Jeannine WarrickBuild Behind the Business™ · Snellville, GA

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"SmallGyfts is such a thoughtful platform—helping businesses give customers a discount and the chance to donate to a nonprofit of their choice. Their passion for connecting purpose with everyday purchases truly stands out."

Clare DavisIMPACT SQUAD · New York, NY

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"SmallGyfts has completely changed how we think about community fundraising. Our supporters don't have to donate their own money—they just shop at local businesses and direct the rewards to us. It's funding without fundraising."

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Save Money. Help Your Favorite Cause.

Businesses Who Care

What Our Community Says

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

Frequently Asked Questions

For Members

How does SmallGyfts work for members?

What does it cost me?

Why is this right for me?

For Businesses

How does SmallGyfts help my business?

How much does it cost?

For Causes

How does SmallGyfts help local causes?

How can our cause use SmallGyfts?

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