Case Study: Change – Empowering Consumer Giving in the Solana Ecosystem
Overview
This is one of a series of case studies produced for the Solana Foundation that showcases individual, independent projects in the Solana ecosystem. Being featured in a case study does not constitute an endorsement from the Solana Foundation.
The Founders’ Journey
As the 2020 pandemic hit, millions of people were stuck inside, political energy swept the country, and shopping moved increasingly digital. For Sonia Nigam and Amar Shah, it was a catalyst to do something they had wanted to do together for a long time: start a company.
That’s when the Northwestern grads began working on a new idea: Empower consumer giving.
What is Change?
Today, their company provides brands with a set of web3-based software tools for social impact. Change’s APIs and no-code applications enable:
- Nonprofits to add a “donate with crypto” form to their website
- NFT collections to accept donations on primary or secondary sales
- Consumers to donate both crypto and fiat at checkout
Impact and Success
Change has enabled over $1,000,000 in charitable donations to date and allows individuals to donate to more than 200,000 nonprofit and charitable organizations. The organizations they’ve worked with range from snack delivery service SnackMagic to sustainable jewelry line Lokai, empowering individuals to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and Girls Who Code.
Blockchain Advantage
Unlike platforms like GoFundMe, blockchain enables donation transparency to be built into the smart contract set-up. Community members will be able to look up the nonprofit’s wallet and see its entire history of donations and also see what happens to the donation after they make it. Because the blockchain posts transactions, it is easy for individuals to check, on their own, how the money flows.
Founders’ Insights
“Folks want to know, what happened to my $10 I gave to this organization?” says Sonia. Change allows brands to provide that information and tell those stories of impact – letting a brand inform a customer, for example, that their money went to a particular activity at a particular organization.
“Solana in particular has been a really, really powerful ecosystem,” Sonia says. “We’ve seen a lot of incredible creators build communities, built on mission, and execute on that using Change.”
Future Plans
Reflecting on where Change has been, and where it’s headed, Sonia is excited for a future where nonprofits raise money quickly and cheaply, using blockchain’s unique advantages.
“Imagine a world where every single touchpoint in your commerce journey just gave a cent or two to an important cause,” she describes. “It all of a sudden revolutionizes how consistently we’re driving revenue to important nonprofit players — and it allows them to focus less on setting up the next fundraising gala and more on executing the mission they set out to do.”
Conclusion
Change is a prime example of how the Solana ecosystem is empowering creators to build innovative solutions that drive positive change. By leveraging blockchain technology, Change is revolutionizing the way nonprofits and consumers interact, making it easier to donate and increasing transparency and accountability.
FAQs
- Q: What is Change?
A: Change is a company that provides brands with a set of web3-based software tools for social impact.
- Q: What is the mission of Change?
A: The mission of Change is to empower consumer giving by providing a platform for individuals to donate to their favorite nonprofits and charitable organizations.
- Q: How does Change work?
A: Change works by providing nonprofits with a “donate with crypto” form, allowing consumers to donate both crypto and fiat at checkout, and enabling NFT collections to accept donations on primary or secondary sales.
- Q: What sets Change apart from other donation platforms?
A: Change is built on blockchain technology, allowing for increased transparency and accountability in donation transactions.
- Q: What is the goal of Change?
A: The goal of Change is to create a world where every single touchpoint in a person’s commerce journey gives a cent or two to an important cause, revolutionizing the way nonprofits raise money and increasing their ability to focus on their mission.
