In today’s era of computers and smartphones, helping local businesses has become easier and more important than ever. Small businesses are a big part of Canada’s economy, so it’s crucial that we support them, especially when times are tough. Online donation platforms have become great tools for communities to show their support and help local businesses stay open.
Local businesses in Ontario have found a unique opportunity to grow by partnering with online casino platforms, which are helping drive more traffic to their websites and increasing customer engagement. These collaborations are proving essential in keeping small businesses afloat, especially in challenging times. Find out more about how digital partnerships are supporting Ontario’s small businesses in this informative overview on strengthening local economies.
Top Six Online Donation Platforms
| Platform | Key Features | Support | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada United | Community engagement, financial grants, marketing support | gocanadaunited.ca | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Digital Main Street | Digital onboarding, discounts on tools, workshops and training | digitalmainstreet.ca | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Donately | Customizable forms, peer-to-peer fundraising, donor management | donately.com | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| CanadaHelps | Customizable forms, event management, automated tax receipting | canadahelps.org | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Zeffy | No fees, fundraising tools, voluntary contributions | zeffy.com | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| My Main Street | Business sustainability, market research, community projects | mymainstreet.ca | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Canada United
Canada United, started by RBC, is like a beacon of hope for small businesses all over the country. This program does more than just give money. It helps create a feeling of community and shared responsibility among Canadians.
What Makes It Special:
- Community Focus: The Canada United Weekend brings shoppers, businesses, and communities together to celebrate local shops and restaurants.
- Money Help: Canada United gives grants and financial contributions to small businesses that need help.
- Advertising Help: Businesses get free advertising materials and more attention, which helps them get more customers.
How You Can Help:
- Shop and eat at local places, especially during Canada United events.
- Use the Canada United Small Business Kit to talk about local businesses on social media.
- Use #CanadaUnited when you post online to help spread the word.
Digital Main Street
Digital Main Street focuses on helping small businesses use the internet and technology. They know that having a good online presence is really important for businesses to do well these days.
What Makes It Special:
- Free Help Getting Online: Businesses get personalized advice on how to use technology and the internet.
- Special Discounts: They can get digital tools and services for less money, which helps them save.
- Expert Help: The DMS Squad gives hands-on help, making sure businesses can figure out new technology with confidence.
How You Can Help:
- Buy from businesses through their new websites or online stores.
- Go to Digital Main Street workshops and tell others about them to help spread knowledge about technology.
- Encourage local businesses you know to use Digital Main Street’s resources.
Donately
Donately is a flexible platform that helps both nonprofits and businesses raise money. It makes it easier for communities to support local businesses.
What Makes It Special:
- Customizable Donation Forms: Businesses can create donation pages that look like their own brand, which their supporters will recognize.
- Peer-to-Peer Campaigns: Use community networks to reach more people for fundraising.
- All-in-One Management: Donately makes the whole fundraising process easier, from keeping track of donors to working with other tools.
How You Can Help:
- Donate through the custom donation forms on business websites.
- Start or join peer-to-peer campaigns to support your favourite local places.
- Share successful campaigns to inspire other people in your community.
CanadaHelps
CanadaHelps has become a big part of charitable giving in Canada. Now it’s also helping small businesses through different programs.
What Makes It Special:
- Easy-to-Use Tools: CanadaHelps offers a full set of fundraising tools, from donation forms to managing events.
- Automatic Tax Receipts: This makes donating easier for both businesses and people who want to help.
- Well-Known Name: People trust CanadaHelps, which makes fundraising efforts more credible.
How You Can Help:
- Donate to local businesses through the CanadaHelps website.
- Join community events and fundraisers that use CanadaHelps.
- Tell local businesses about CanadaHelps and how they can use it for fundraising.
Zeffy
Zeffy is special because it’s totally free. This means every dollar donated goes directly to the business or cause.
What Makes It Special:
- No Hidden Costs: There are no fees for credit card transactions, using the platform, or any other services.
- Lots of Tools: Even though it’s free, Zeffy has many features, including tools for selling event tickets and running online stores.
- Voluntary Donations: Zeffy keeps running because some users choose to donate to them.
How You Can Help:
- Use Zeffy when you donate so all your money goes to the business.
- Join free fundraising events and buy from online stores that local businesses set up on Zeffy.
- Think about making a small donation to Zeffy to help them keep offering free services.
My Main Street
My Main Street focuses on improving main street communities across southern Ontario. They help both individual businesses and whole communities.
What Makes It Special:
- Two Types of Funding: They give money to both individual businesses and community projects.
- Market Research: They provide valuable information to help businesses make smart decisions.
- Community Events: They fund big projects that bring energy and life back to main streets.
How You Can Help:
- Support businesses that are part of My Main Street programs by donating to them or buying from them.
- Join and promote community events funded by My Main Street.
- Volunteer for or donate to community projects in your area.
Making Your Support Count
Now that we’ve looked at these six platforms, it’s clear that there are many ways to support small businesses in Canada. Each platform has its own special features and ways of helping. Here’s how you can make the biggest difference:
#1 Use Different Ways to Help
Don’t just stick to one platform. Each one has its own good points, so think about using a mix to support different parts of local businesses.
#2 Tell Others
Your voice is important. Share your experiences with these platforms on social media, and encourage your friends and family to get involved, too.
#3 Think About the Long Run
One-time donations are great, but also think about setting up regular donations to give ongoing support to your favorite local businesses.
#4 Do More Than Just Donate
Many of these platforms offer ways to volunteer, go to events, or help without giving money. Look into these options to get more involved in your community.
#5 Stay Up to Date
Follow these platforms on social media or sign up for their newsletters to know about new features, success stories, and ways to help.
The Power of Community
Supporting small businesses isn’t just about giving money. It’s about building stronger communities that can handle tough times. By using these online donation platforms, we can create a chain reaction of positive change across Canada’s local economies.
Remember, every bit of help, no matter how small, makes a difference. Whether you’re donating through CanadaHelps, shopping during a Canada United event, or helping a local shop set up their Digital Main Street profile, you’re playing an important part in shaping the future of Canadian small businesses.
Let’s use the power of these platforms to show our local businesses that they’re not alone. Together, we can make sure that the unique character and important services provided by small businesses continue to thrive in communities across Canada.
Take Action Today
- Check out these platforms and find the ones you like best.
- Make a donation or support a local business through one of these platforms.
- Share this article with people you know to spread awareness and increase the impact.
By taking these steps, you’re not just supporting a business. You’re investing in the heart of your community. Let’s stand together in our support for Canada’s small businesses – they’re counting on us, and together, we can make a big difference.