Faith Rewards, a Charlotte-based online community, announced the launch of its Web site that changes the way an individual may effectively raise money for a designated faith-based organization. Taking traditional fundraising a virtual step forward, Faith Rewards allows online visitors to contribute to their community through two user features, including an online shopping mall, boasting more than 500 popular retailers, such as Target, Nike and The Apple Store, and an online business directory.
The online shopping mall offers an accessible vehicle to donate through everyday spending within the $200 billion dollar a year industry. Each online retailer will donate a set percentage of the purchase price, typically ranging from 3 to 15 percent, to the buyer’s select organization. In addition, entrepreneurs and business owners are able to publicize their company profile within the online business directory, where 25 percent of the advertising revenue is contributed to the designated faith organization.
“Faith Rewards offers congregation members a way to support their church, mosque or synagogues’ mission work financially through daily habits, far beyond the traditional bake sale or spaghetti dinner,” said Mitch Gibson, founder and CEO. “Faith Rewards originally was conceived to offer the much needed assistance to our faith community so they remain our spiritual stewards and continue in their work.”
Anyone can utilize the Web site and designate a faith-based organization to be the beneficiary. All Charlotte-area churches are registered in the Faith Rewards online mall. Users may advertise a business on their faith organization’s business directory page or citywide in the Charlotte Metro Business Directory. For additional information, click here.
Faith Rewards was founded in Charlotte, one of the largest overall church population centers in the country, to enhance critical fundraising efforts for religious organizations. The Web site was launched May 2008. Founder and community leader Mitch Gibson drew on his own experiences as a businessman and active participant in his local church to conceive the idea for the entrepreneurial, faith-based Web site. His family includes civic leader and wife Sonja Gantt of WCNC-TV and father-in-law and former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt. The Web site offers a chance for people to participate in “giving through everyday living.” Faith Rewards provides new, free revenue channels for religious institutions when members utilize its various programs, such as an online shopping mall featuring more than 500 popular retailers and an online directory for small businesses. When members use Faith Rewards’ programs, a portion of the money goes back to their designated religious organization. Put simply, Faith Rewards’ mission is supported by faith. Mission work requires financial resources and now congregation members can financially support their institution through daily spending activities.
