The 1% fee on profit
When you buy from a local business through Good Circles, the merchant keeps 89% of their profit, 10% funds the nonprofit you chose, and Good Circles keeps a 1% fee — calculated on profit, not the full sale price. That fee is how the platform runs. If a merchant doesn’t sell, they pay nothing.
Bridge items and the shared fund
When no local merchant carries something yet, you may see a clearly labeled external option (like Amazon). Those items don’t carry the 10% shopper discount, and about half of any affiliate commission earned goes to a shared nonprofit pool through a donor-advised fund. See the full breakdown »
Why the model is honest by design
Because Good Circles earns a small fee on profit rather than a big cut of every sale, its incentives line up with local businesses instead of against them. Shoppers save, nonprofits get funded, and merchants keep far more than they would on a 15–30% platform.
See exactly where every dollar goes
Good Circles publishes the full math on a local purchase — no mystery fees.
How it worksFAQ
Is Good Circles free for shoppers and nonprofits?
Yes. There’s no cost to join for shoppers or nonprofits, and shoppers actually save about 10% on local purchases. Good Circles is funded by a 1% fee local businesses pay on profit.
How much does Good Circles charge businesses?
Just 1% of profit per sale — no setup, monthly, or listing fees. If a business doesn’t sell, it doesn’t pay.