Change Round-Up Inc., a Coxsackie, NY business launched its Web site Nov. 9, 2006. The basis of Change Round-Up’s business plan is to “nickel-and-dime” its way to success, while helping charities around the country at the same time. The company has created an Internet program that lets online retail customers donate change to a participating charity. It works by prompting Internet customers to donate their change at the end of a transaction. Of the change — 90 percent goes to charity. Another 4 percent goes to pay the store’s credit card fees and other administrative costs. Change Round-Up gets the remaining 6 percent. The company is currently talking to several top Internet retailers about using its services. In the meantime, the company has joined with three retailers and 30 charitable groups nationwide. Retailers get to pick which charity they want to be associated with, usually one with a regional or thematic connection to what the store sells. “Web’s spare change adds up”
By ALAN WECHSLER, Business writer (Wechsler can be reached at 454-5469 or by e-mail at awechsler@timesunion.com)
First published: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 in the Times Union.

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