Reno is a company that helps businesses give back to the community through credit card fees

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – With the pandemic, many local businesses have had to find creative ways to support their communities, and one idea that’s gaining traction is free there.

“It connects local businesses with local nonprofits and has proven to be very powerful during the pandemic,” said Kirk Allaire, owner of Free Gives. “There has never been a more important time to give to your local community than now.”

The Free team takes credit card payment processing fees that business owners already pay, then cuts the cost and allocates a portion of those savings to a nonprofit of the client’s choice.

“The success of this program is entirely due to the merchants who go out of their way to do business with us,” Allaire said. “All the money will be raised by the participating retailers.”

Before working with gratis gives, co-owner of OCG creative, Jill Rutherford said, “It always felt empty writing a check at the end of the year.”

The web developer and digital marketer was among the first to join the non-profit initiative.

“I was immediately convinced, I spoke to my partners and it was probably one of the easiest decisions we’ve ever made,” Rutherford said.

She adds that because the company’s work is done online, the company hasn’t felt the impact of the pandemic, which made participating in Free Gives even more meaningful.

“As a business, we all want to make money, and that’s why you have three choices: cash, credit card, or check, and now more than ever, every transaction makes sense when it’s a credit card transaction,” Rutherford said. “Because we know that every time we swipe, every time a piece goes back into the community.”

To date, gratis gives has donated $98,000 to more than a dozen local charities, including the For Kids Foundation, the Nevada Diabetes Association, Care Chest and Children’s Cabinet.

If you want to get in touch with Free Gives, click here or call (855) 464-7284.

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