Frequently Asked Questions
Vendors
Q: What is the benefit of selling on GiveRise?
A: There are many resale and peer-to-peer platforms that take a cut from each sale, digging into the earnings of vendors. On GiveRise, vendors get to choose how much of their sale they receive, and how much gets donated to a charity partner (minimum 5%).
Other platforms are also becoming overcrowded with products, limiting the likelihood that your items will be seen. As a growing startup with increasing organic website traffic, GiveRise provides local vendors with the opportunity to display their unique items and grow their audience to new customers across the country.
Q: How can I post an item to sell?
A: To become a vendor, complete the Become a vendor form. After you register, you will receive an email with the next steps, including how to connect to Stripe in order to receive payment. Once you have an account and have connected to Stripe, you can access your Admin Panel from the "My Account" dropdown menu at the top right hand corner of the website, or as a shortcut, click the "Post an item" button in the same dropdown menu.
Q: How much of the sale has to be donated to one of the organizations listed on the site?
A: A minimum of 5% must be donated to one of our partner organizations, with a maximum of 95%.
Q: How do I collect the funds from my sale?
A: GiveRise uses Stripe to disperse funds directly into the respective accounts after the completion of a sale. After creating an account, head to the Admin Panel > Vendors tab and click "Connect with Stripe" at the bottom of the page. Your funds will be transferred directly into your account after the sale of your item - easy as that!
Q: How can I set a shipping rate?
A: Once you register as a vendor, our video tutorials will walk you through the process of posting an item, and will show you where to set your shipping cost.
As for deciding the shipping cost, you can find rates on Canada Post's website.
If you have an account at Canada Post, you can also print your shipping labels right at home! To learn more, go to Canada Post's Ship Online page.
Q: How can I reset my password?
A: If you are having troubles logging into your account, click My Account > Sign in > Forgot my password. You will be asked to enter your email address where you will receive a new password and a link to sign in. You will be able to change this password later once you are logged in.
Q: Can I receive a charitable tax receipt for the donated portion of my sale?
A: That depends. The eligible amount of a donation may vary from one organization to the next. That being said, the Canadian government requires that, in order to be eligible for a tax receipt, the amount gained from a donor cannot exceed the amount of the donated portion.
For example, if you sell an item for $100 but only donate $20, you made $80 and are therefore not eligible for a tax receipt.
Learn more about eligible gifts on the Canadian government website. You can also contact the charity directly and ask about their processes for issuing charitable tax receipts if you think you are eligible.
Buyers
Q: What is the benefit of shopping on GiveRise?
A: Shopping local vendors, minimizing waste, searching unique finds AND supporting great causes, what's not to love! No matter what you buy, find comfort in the knowledge that your purchase is making a difference.
Q: Who do I contact if I have questions about an item?
A: GiveRise is a peer to peer marketplace, so feel free to contact the seller directly! To do this, go to the item and click "Ask a question" shown next to the "Vendor" field. If you have a general question for a vendor, click on their vendor name to go to their storefront, and click "Ask a question".
Nonprofits
Q: What is the benefit of fundraising on GiveRise?
A: GiveRise is an online marketplace available Canada-wide, allowing organizations who register as our partner organizations to extend the reach and frequency of their fundraising initiatives. No longer are they restricted by geographic location or to their direct networks!
Demographic shifts within the past few years have also resulted in a giving gap, causing charities to search for new and creative ways to engage younger donors. By tapping into the booming secondhand economy, GiveRise allows our partner organizations to connect with younger demographics like never before.
Q: How do we collect our donations?
A: GiveRise uses Stripe to disperse funds directly into the respective accounts after the completion of a sale. After creating an account, head to the Admin Panel > Vendors tab and click "Connect with Stripe" at the bottom of the page. Once you've connected to Stripe, you will receive donations directly to your account after the completion of the sale.
Schools
Q: How can schools benefit from fundraising on GiveRise?
A: By fundraising on GiveRise, schools are able to increase their fundraising initiatives in numerous ways. Not only will they be able to extend their reach past their own community and networks, but they will no longer be restricted by geographic location or resources. By being listed on the site as a partner organization, or by also becoming a vendor, schools will be able to collect donations not only at in-person events and fundraisers, but also electronically, year-round.
Q: How can students get involved?
A: Students have the option to get involved in two ways. If a school registers as a partner organization, students can run their own fundraising initiatives to sell items and donate proceeds to their school. By donating 100% of their sales, students can be eligible for community service hours, gaining real-world experience in project management, pricing, photography, marketing, order fulfillment, customer service and more!
Alternatively, students can work together to collect and sell items on behalf of their school's account, gaining experience in teamwork and leadership.
Q: How do we receive our donations?
A: GiveRise uses Stripe to disperse funds directly into the respective accounts after the completion of a sale. After creating an account, head to the Admin Panel > Vendors tab and click "Connect with Stripe" at the bottom of the page. Once you've connected to Stripe, you will receive donations directly to your account after the completion of the sale!
Other
Q: What are the fees for shopping and selling on GiveRise?
A: GiveRise doesn't take a portion of the sale, as many resale and peer-to-peer platforms do, however vendors are required to donate a minimum of 5% of the sale to one of our partner organizations. Stripe takes a small commission from the vendor's sale amount, and there is a platform fee for shopping on the site.