Questions & answers
How CommunityLoop works today — for the people showing a code, the businesses scanning it, and the causes on the receiving end.
Early access
CommunityLoop is being built with a small group of local businesses and causes. Check-ins, campaigns, Loop Coins, payouts, and direct donations all work today — if something doesn't behave the way this page says, tell us.
For supporters
You show a code. Somebody else pays.
- What does it cost me?
- Nothing. Supporters never pay. The participating business funds the donation — you just show your code when you're already buying something.
- How do I check in?
- Open your dashboard and show the QR code at the register. If the camera won't cooperate — bad light, cracked screen, patchy wifi — read out the 6-digit code underneath it instead. Both do exactly the same thing.
- Why does my code keep changing?
- It refreshes about once a minute and stays valid for roughly three. That stops a screenshot being passed around, while leaving plenty of time to get from the queue to the counter.
- Can I check in more than once at the same place in a day?
- One check-in per campaign per day. A second scan the same day is politely refused and nothing is charged to the business — so there's no way to accidentally double-count.
- Do I get a tax deduction?
- No — and this is worth being precise about. The business pays the donation, so the business is the donor of record and receives any acknowledgment from the nonprofit. Your dashboard tracks the impact you generated, which is a record of participation rather than a charitable contribution by you.
- What can I see about my impact?
- Your dashboard shows the total generated for local causes, how many check-ins you've made, and how many different causes you've supported. Browse campaigns to find somewhere to use it.
For businesses
Turn a purchase into a reason to come back.
- What am I committing to?
- You pick an amount per visit and a total budget. The campaign stops itself the moment that budget is used up — that ceiling is enforced in the database, so it cannot be overspent even if two registers scan at the same instant.
- When and how am I actually billed?
- Two separate things. The monthly plan fee (see Pricing) is billed automatically through Stripe — free for the first 14 days, then charged to the card on file unless you cancel first. The donations themselves are funded separately, with Loop Coins — prepaid donation credit you buy up front. Launching a campaign sets its full budget aside from your balance, and each check-in moves one donation's worth to the organization. You're never charged per check-in, and never more than the budget you set.
- What equipment do I need?
- A phone, tablet, or laptop with a browser. Open the scanner page at the register and point the camera at the supporter's code. There's always a manual 6-digit entry box next to it for when the camera or the wifi lets you down.
- Can my staff scan without access to everything else?
- Yes. Invite a teammate from your account settings and choose the "Staff" role — they can scan check-ins and view campaigns without access to billing, campaign creation, or business details.
- How long until my business is live?
- Every business and every campaign is reviewed before it appears publicly. You can fill in your profile and set up a campaign immediately; both stay private until approved.
- Does the nonprofit get the full amount I pledge?
- Yes. If you pledge $2 per visit, your chosen organization is credited $2. Nothing is taken out of the donation itself.
For organizations
A network of local businesses, without the fundraising admin.
- What does it cost my organization?
- Nothing. Organizations don't pay to be on CommunityLoop.
- How do we receive the money?
- Two ways. Check-ins add to your organization's earned balance; after a short hold, you request a payout and, once approved, it's transferred to your organization's Stripe account. Direct donations from supporters skip the balance entirely and go straight to your Stripe account when they're made. Either way, you need to finish Stripe's payout setup first.
- Do we have to find businesses ourselves?
- No. Once approved, your organization appears on the platform and any participating business can choose to sponsor you. A public page shows your mission and the campaigns currently supporting you.
- Can we see what we have been given?
- Yes. Your dashboard shows every check-in generated for your organization, including which business and which campaign it came from.
- Who can sign up as an organization?
- Nonprofits, schools and PTAs, churches, and similar community groups with an EIN. Every organization is reviewed before going live.
Still have a question?
We're onboarding founding businesses and causes now, and we'd rather answer directly than guess at what you need.