Most of us move through our days without thinking much about where our money goes after we tap a card or click “pay.” We run errands, book appointments and keep life moving. Once the transaction ends, that’s the end of the story. But what if those everyday purchases could quietly support a nonprofit you care about — without costing you anything extra?
That’s the idea behind ShopGiv, a new Colorado Springs-based app that connects local businesses, nonprofits and everyday shoppers in one simple loop. The concept grew out of something founder Dan Adam, owner of Adam & Son Auto Repair, had already seen firsthand.
Adam had long worked with families who were one car repair away from losing stability. A dead battery. Worn brakes before winter. Small fixes with big consequences. That need had led Adam and his team to start a nonprofit called the Stranded Motorist Fund in 2020 to provide repairs and donated vehicles to those people in need.
He also observed that many local businesses genuinely wanted to help and just needed a way to do it that felt simple and repeatable. ShopGiv was built to bridge that gap. “It turns ‘We’d love to help’ into a repeatable model built into everyday commerce,” Adam says.
How It Works
Rather than asking people to change how they shop or spend, the ShopGiv platform connects everyday purchases to local causes. Users select a nonprofit to support, shop with participating businesses and upload a receipt through the app after making a purchase. Once verified, the participating business makes a donation from its proceeds.
“The goal isn’t to change how people live or shop,” Adam says. “It’s to connect what they’re already doing to something meaningful. If someone is already getting their car repaired, buying cookies or hiring a local service, there’s no extra step beyond uploading a receipt. Their normal routine stays the same — it just becomes connected to a cause they care about.”
Inside the app, users can track how much their purchases have generated over time and change their nonprofit of choice whenever they wish.
There is no fixed contribution percentage required for businesses joining the platform. Each participating business selects a giving model that fits its operations and margins. Many choose to donate a small percentage of revenue per transaction, while others contribute a flat amount per customer or service. The flexible structure allows businesses of different sizes and industries to participate in a way that works for them.
A Different Way to Give
Traditional fundraising often revolves around events, sponsorships and annual appeals. Those efforts matter. But Adam sees ShopGiv as a simpler, more consistent way to give. Instead of asking you to write a separate check, it redirects a gift from a business where you are already shopping.
“My hope is to make generosity practical,” Adam says. “I want nonprofits to have dependable funding woven into everyday commerce. I want businesses to be rewarded for giving back. And I want everyday people to see that their normal spending decisions can create measurable impact.”
He says the shift can also change the relationship between nonprofits and businesses. Rather than a one-sided sponsorship request, nonprofits can encourage supporters to shop with businesses that give back. Businesses, in turn, connect with customers who care about making a difference.
Justin Koback, owner of American Printing & Copying, says the simplicity of the platform made participating a no-brainer for him. “The ShopGiv app is intuitive and user-friendly. It offers a seamless way to support local nonprofit organizations that matter most to you. By simply shopping with participating local businesses — such as American Printing & Copying — you can make a meaningful impact, with no additional cost to you as a consumer, turning everyday purchases into purposeful giving.”
Kelly Lyng, director of development at TRE (The Resource Exchange), says the approach resonated right away. TRE supports children and adults with disabilities, delays and long-term care needs.
“We chose to be part of ShopGiv because it offers a simple, no-cost way for people to support TRE while going about their daily lives,” Lyng says. “When you serve 15,000-plus people, small actions across a whole community add up in a meaningful way. Passive giving helps broaden participation in generosity, and we’re thrilled to see it create new, reliable support for our mission.”
Who’s Participating
Since its January soft launch, ShopGiv has grown to include 25 nonprofit organizations and 11 local businesses. Nonprofit participants include UCCS’ MOSAIC Program, Stranded Motorist Fund, Colorado Springs Conservatory, PikeRide and Ronald McDonald House Charities, among others. And Adam says they are currently accepting applications from more nonprofits and businesses.
Local businesses already on board range from Adam & Son Auto Repair and NAPA Auto Parts to Sasquatch Cookies, ProLift Garage, Advanced Impressions and Gaddie Electric.
The diversity is intentional. Adam says it isn’t about one type of purchase or a single campaign — it’s about weaving generosity into daily life.
You can check it out and get the app at shopgiv.com.
