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Chicago’s Network of Giving Announces Partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago

Digital commerce supporting Chicago communities

The Network of Giving is a powerful, hyper-local digital platform enabled by financial services that fosters a community- minded movement through the connection of local consumers and merchants to community organizations while creating efficiencies in digital fundraising.

With digital commerce and merchant defined and funded micro-donations, the Network of Giving allows local merchants to have the digital tools to grow their business, while providing consumers an outlet to support local organizations, and it all benefits the community where they live – at no cost to the consumer.

“The Network of Giving will provide our partners, supporters, and individual residents with an easy-to-use tool to provide financial support for United Way of Metro Chicago’s work of helping individuals meet their basic needs—such as food, housing, and access to health care—and supporting equitable transformation in neighborhoods across the region,” stated Sean Garrett, president and CEO, United Way of Metro Chicago. “With the Network of Giving partnership we hope to further drive our vision of building a stronger, more equitable Chicago region where all people have the opportunity to thrive.”

“The Network of Giving is honored to support United Way of Metro Chicago’s work of bringing together business and civic leaders to help drive positive change across the Chicago region—work that they have led for more than 90 years,” stated David Saalfrank, Chief Evangelist of the Network of Giving. “The purpose of the Network of Giving platform is to support community organizations that drive impactful change, like United Way of Metro Chicago. Through digital commerce, the Network of Giving brings together like-minded merchants and consumers and is enabled by financial institutions.”

“The Network of Giving levels the playing field for local businesses by providing sought-after digital capabilities that deliver measured results on marketing spend, provide actionable insights that raise their customers’ experience, and enables a seamless community movement, while only asking everyone to do what they already do well today,” added Saalfrank.

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Network of Giving Chooses argodesign as its Official Design Partner

Strategic app design and development work to fuel platform for community growth

argodesign, a product design consultancy and incubator of new experiences, is partnering with the Network of Giving, a SaaS platform driving positive community change, to build its product and ensure growth at scale for years to come.

The Network of Giving gives people the power to choose where donation dollars go, through a revolutionary platform that connects local merchants and financial institutions to fund community-minded programs in their area.

Mark Rolston, Founder and Chief Creative Officer at argo: “I’ve been working with the Network of Giving team on this idea since 2010. It has been an incredible adventure navigating the complexities of the partners and systems required to make it work. But after years of work, we’re finally able to bring this vision to life. I’m so excited to see this through.”

“argo and Mark Rolston have been long-term champions of the Network of Giving, consistently believing in our mission to create digital commerce with purpose. Their world-class team is working to create innovative, seamless, and meaningful experiences for every stakeholder in our network,” said David Saalfrank, Chief Evangelist of the Network of Giving. “The argodesign/Network of Giving partnership brings together deep expertise and extensive experience in strategy, design, and technology, driving continuous innovation of the SaaS platform to benefit communities.”

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Network of Giving Increases Depth of Expertise with New Advisor Members

The Network of Giving is expanding its US-led Advisory Board with the appointment of industry experts to support current leadership.

The Network of Giving is a proprietary hyper-local digital platform enabled by financial services. The platform fosters a community-minded movement through the connection of consumers and local merchants to community organizations while creating efficiencies in digital fundraising. The Network of Giving helps grow and sustain communities by ensuring that all donations are at no cost to consumers, 100% pass-through, 100% accountable, 100% merchant defined, and 100% consumer-directed, while honoring the Network of Giving Heart.

"I am delighted that we are expanding the Network of Giving’s ability to support our non-profit and financial services partners with experienced industry experts working with our leadership team,” stated David Saalfrank, newly appointed Chief Evangelist of the Network of Giving. “In a rapidly changing world, it is of great importance to identify social and technological developments in the markets and the communities at an early stage. Our team of advisors provides insight to best navigate the markets, manage risks, and seize opportunities that arise. The advisory board provides another foundation for enhancing and strengthening our expertise to bring the platform to communities across the United States and around the globe – driving financial and social empowerment while creating positive change in communities on a measured result."

The Network of Giving Advisory Board is led by current Strategy Leader, Doreen Lorenzo, and new members include:

Mia Shernoff, former Head of Marketing and Demand Generation, Fiserv Global Business Solutions at Fiserv
Joe Biondo, CEO, Managing Partner at Sunwest Capital Partners
Scott Cruickshank, Chairman of the Board at ClickBank

“As a group, we are dedicated to providing the greatest community impact for the non-profit organizations we now support, including Special Olympics Illinois, Special Olympics Washington, and United Way of King County, and for the financial institutions and local businesses that both enable and prosper through the Network of Giving,” added Saalfrank.

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Special Olympics Washington Takes Leadership Role to Launch the Network of Giving into Washington State

Supporting athletes and their communities through innovative digital commerce

SEATTLE, WA, February 28, 2023 – Special Olympics Washington (SpecialOlympicsWashington.org) today announced a strategic partnership with the Network of Giving in the Seattle market and beyond.

The Network of Giving is a powerful hyper-local digital platform enabled by financial services, that fosters a community-minded movement through the connection of local consumers and merchants to community organizations – while creating efficiencies in digital fundraising.

“Special Olympics Washington is excited to help bring the Network of Giving to our state with its benefits for our supporters, local businesses, and the communities where we live and prosper. Our participation will enhance and strengthen our mission, while also helping us advance three key objectives under our Beyond Gold multi-year strategy – improving the athlete experience, reaching more athletes, and raising more resources,” said David Wu, President and CEO of Special Olympics Washington. “We look forward to helping to lead the release of Seattle’s Network of Giving into market with the assistance of our long-term supporters and key relationships in the community. Special Olympics Washington will also champion the Network of Giving’s reach across Washington state, and to Special Olympics chapters across the United States and internationally.”

“The Network of Giving enables merchants to sustain their business, empowers consumers to support local merchants, and enables us to leverage this significant opportunity to increase our positive impact in local communities. We’re thrilled to be involved,” Wu added.

“The Network of Giving is excited to assist Special Olympics Washington and its communities,” stated David Saalfrank, Chief Evangelist of the Network of Giving. “The Network of Giving is revolutionary technology with DNA that is founded on the core principles of service, accountability, and innovation to better the lives of those in the community.”

Saalfrank added, “With the Network of Giving, Special Olympics Washington, together with citizens, businesses, and community leaders, now have a premiere, fully-automated digital solution that unites them in their mission to celebrate athletes and their abilities, to experience life changing opportunities, ensure health and well-being, and build confidence and leadership.”

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The Network of Giving to be Unveiled in Davos Switzerland at the Network of Giving House

The Network of Giving will be introduced in Davos Switzerland at the Network of Giving House from January 16th to January 20th, 2023. The Network of Giving is a proprietary and powerful, hyper-local digital platform enabled by financial services. The platform fosters a community-minded movement through the connection of consumers and local merchants to community organizations while creating efficiencies in digital fundraising. Through digital commerce and merchant-defined, micro-donations, the Network of Giving democratizes the digital tools local merchants need to grow their business. At no cost to customers, the Network of Giving provides the outlet customers need to support local business and local organizations to benefit the economy and the communities where they live.

Local chapters of Special Olympics and the United Way, in partnership with the Network of Giving, embrace this innovative and fully automated digital solution that unites them in their missions. The Network of Giving platform provides financial institutions, merchants, and communities with collaborative opportunities to reach caring local consumers.

"We are excited to bring the Network of Giving to the world. The platform is committed to driving financial and social empowerment while creating positive change in communities," stated Rob Bennett, CEO, SMB4.0, the organization that powers the Network of Giving.

"The Network of Giving provides another foundation for enhancing and strengthening our communities and aligns with our impact and mission," stated Gordon McHenry, Jr., CEO at United Way of King County. More on United Way: uwkc.org

"As an organization, we always strive for three main goals – to improve athlete experiences, reach more athletes, and raise more resources. This program aligns with those goals and we look forward to what the future holds," said Dave Breen, President and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois. More on Special Olympics: soill.org

"In Davos, we will profile the collective impact of our platform in collaboration with our strategic partners at Special Olympics and the United Way. This is part of the Network of Giving ethos as demonstrated by the core principles which ensure that; donations are at no cost to consumers, 100% pass-through, 100% accountable, 100% merchant defined, and 100% consumer-directed, while honoring the Network of Giving Heart," Bennett added.

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Special Olympics Illinois Introduces the Network of Giving to Chicago Market

Supporting Chicago communities and athletes through digital commerce.

Special Olympics Illinois today announced a strategic partnership for Network of Giving in the Chicago market.

The Network of Giving is a powerful, hyper-local digital platform enabled by financial services that fosters a community-minded movement through the connection of local consumers and merchants to community organizations while creating efficiencies in digital fundraising.

“Special Olympics Illinois is excited to help bring Network of Giving to Chicago, along with its benefits for our supporters, local merchants, and ultimately the communities where we live and prosper,” stated Dave Breen, president and CEO, Special Olympics Illinois. “As an organization, we always strive for three main goals – to improve athlete experiences, reach more athletes, and raise more resources. This program aligns with those goals and we look forward to what the future holds.”

Chicago’s Network of Giving will come into market with the partnership of local financial services and merchants, many of which already partner with Special Olympics Illinois. Current donors and volunteers will have a new outlet to support the organization, and most importantly, the more than 21,000 served athletes will benefit.

With digital commerce and merchant-defined, micro-donations, Network of Giving allows local merchants to have the digital tools to grow their business, while providing consumers an outlet to support local organizations, and it all benefits the community where they live.

“Most importantly, the Network of Giving will further enable athletes pertinent access to Special Olympics Illinois programming,” Breen added.

Special Olympics Illinois also plans to champion Network of Giving’s reach across Illinois as well as to Special Olympics chapters across the United States and internationally.

“The Network of Giving is excited to assist Special Olympics Illinois and the entire community to roll out Chicago’s Network of Giving,” stated Rob Bennett, CEO, SMB4.0, the organization that powers the Network of Giving Software as a Service (SaaS) platform. “The Network of Giving is revolutionary technology with DNA that is founded on the core principles of service, accountability, and innovation to better the lives of those in the community. The Network of Giving levels the playing field for local businesses by providing sought-after digital capabilities that deliver measured results on marketing spend, provide actionable insights that raise their customers’ experience, and enables a like-minded community movement, while only asking everyone to do what they already do well today.”

“With the Network of Giving, Special Olympics Illinois along with Chicago citizens, businesses, and community leaders, now have a premiere, fully-automated digital solution that unites them in their mission to celebrate these athletes and their abilities. This solution will help them to access life-changing programming,” Bennett added.

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Seattle's Network of Giving Helps Connect Community Together

The Network of Giving is proud to have been corporate partner featured at United Way of King County’s Annual Community BBQ in partnership with Doug Baldwin Jr. The event, which drew a crowd of 1,700 attendees, was to celebrate the ability for everyone to finally gather together after the pandemic lock-down. In addition to Seattle's Network of Giving, corporate partners of the event included GeekWire, Safeway, Harborstone Credit Union, Nordstrom, Costco, Delta Dental, Uwajimaya, Alphagraphics, Boon Boona Coffee, Davis Wright Tremaine, Perkins Coie, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Kraken, Coca Cola and Google.

The Network of Giving team educated families about the ability to empower their giving through local businesses and the United Way. In addition, a fun yet educational game about directing micro-donations had families actually experiencing the power of giving back to the community.

The event had local media coverage as well as the presence of community leaders and local sports celebrities. (Media coverage includes: Doug Baldwin, United Way host Community BBQ)

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Network of Giving Invited to Present to the Seattle Restaurant Alliance

The Seattle Restaurant Alliance is a voice for Seattle restaurants, advocating on behalf of the more than 2,700 restaurants in Seattle.

Seattle’s Network of Giving transforms communities and businesses by connecting the four essential pillars that support and elevate community stewardship, prosperity, and resiliency: People, Business, Charity, Finance.

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United Way of King County, Together with Ethan Stowell Restaurants, Introduce the Network of Giving to the U.S. Market

United Way of King County today announced a philanthropic partnership to bring the Network of Giving to the Seattle market.

The Network of Giving is a powerful hyper-local digital platform that fosters a community-minded movement through the connection of local consumers and merchants to community and charitable organizations – while creating efficiencies in digital fundraising.

Gordon McHenry, Jr., President and CEO of United Way of King County, stated, “United Way of King County is pleased to help bring the Network of Giving platform with its benefits for local merchants, community organizations, and other non-profits. The Network of Giving provides another foundation for enhancing and strengthening our communities and aligns with our impact and mission. We are excited to lead its release into the Seattle market and hope to see it reach other United Ways across the country. It has the potential to enhance United Way’s positioning to provide critical support where it is needed most.”

“At United Way we want to make the biggest impact possible and lift each other up. With digital commerce and the Network of Giving, we can seamlessly and efficiently benefit the equitable recovery of our community,” McHenry added.

“The timing couldn’t be better,” said Steven Hooper Jr, President of Ethan Stowell Restaurants, “The Network of Giving platform aligns perfectly with our approach and philosophy as an organization. The Network of Giving enables significant support for the economic recovery of local merchants and provides tools to grow their business and give back to the community. As a founding merchant partner of the Network of Giving, and a strong local supporter of Seattle’s business community and United Way of King County, I believe the Network of Giving enables merchants to sustain their business, empowers consumers to support local, and enables the United Way to increase its positive impact in the community.”

“Our team is working with United Way of King County, Ethan Stowell Restaurants (ESR) and the entire community to release America’s first Network of Giving in Seattle.” stated Rob Bennett, CEO of SMB4.0, the organization that enables the Network of Giving Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, “We know local businesses provide character and individuality to any community. They inspire, strengthen, and stabilize our local economies. The Network of Giving platform is a result of our unmatched commitment to delivering revolutionary, robust technology that is firmly grounded in the core principles of service, accountability, and innovation to better the community. For those local businesses, the Network of Giving changes the playing field by providing sought-after digital capabilities that deliver measured results on their marketing spend, create actionable insights that elevate their customers’ experience, and activate a community-minded movement.”

Bennett added, “The Network of Giving is our unique, full-automated solution that’s designed to meet the multiple needs of the community while requiring that everyone just continue to do what they normally do best. Recognizing that those needs are great right now in every community, Seattle citizens, businesses, and community organizations now have the premiere, digital solution that unites them and differentiates how local merchants can grow their businesses financially and socially.”

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