Quick Start Guide
Get Up and Running
Creating the conditions for shared well-being
Whether you received an invitation or you’re starting your own group, this guide will help you get started.
About Common Change
Common Change is a nonprofit organization based in the United States, with charitable status also recognized in the United Kingdom and South Africa. We both operate managed Collectives — shared financial infrastructures where people support one another through community-led giving — and provide our platform to other organizations to run their own.
As the organization behind the platform, Common Change safeguards and administers funds for the Collectives we manage, while also equipping partners with the tools, guidance, and support needed to coordinate meaningful resource sharing within their own communities.
Account Types
Common Change offers three ways to participate.
Friend
Free
Join groups, contribute donations, participate in conversations, and indicate your support on Decisions. No cost to get started.
Member
Free Trial / $15/mo
Everything in Friend, plus the ability to create your own group as part of the Common Change Collective. Currently available as a free trial.
Organization
Custom Pricing
License the Common Change platform to run your own independent collective under your own brand. Ideal for nonprofits, businesses, and mutual aid networks.
Key Terms at a Glance
Here are the words you’ll encounter throughout the platform.
Group
A trusted circle of people who share resources and make decisions together. You can belong to multiple groups.
Collective
The Common Change-managed network of groups. Contributions are made to Common Change and placed in designated accounts.
Conversation
How a member shares a need, proposes an idea, offers a skill, or makes an announcement. There are four types.
Decision
The group’s collective response to a conversation — members make a Decision together by indicating their support.
Decision Matrix
The rules that determine how many members need to respond positively for a Decision to be approved.
Group Fund
The pool of donated money available to share when a request is approved.
Items & Skills
Groups can share physical items and personal skills with one another — not just financial support.
Owner / Manager
The people who steward the group — supporting setup, participation, shared values, and the group’s ongoing health.
Getting Started
Whether you found us through search or received an invitation, here’s how to get up and running.
Create Your Account
All accounts are created at app.commonchange.com
Go to app.commonchange.com and click Sign Up
Enter your email address and click Continue, then check your email
Enter the verification code, then click Continue to set up your profile
Prefer to sign in with Google? You can use Google to sign in — no separate password needed. Your account will be linked automatically.
Choose Your Account Type
After signing up, you’ll start with a free Friend account. If you received an invitation to join a group, you can accept it immediately — no upgrade needed.
To create your own group as part of the Common Change Collective, you’ll need a Member account.
Note: As part of our current rollout, Member accounts are being offered free of charge for a limited trial period. Groups that activate participation early may qualify for extended access.
Accept Your Invitation
If you were invited to join a group, you will have received an invitation email. After creating your account, click the link in that email to go to the group and accept the invitation.
Already have the link but no account yet? Create your account first, then click the invitation link. The link will remain active until the group cancels it.
Explore and Contribute
Once you’re in a group, you can:
Read open conversations and follow what’s happening
Indicate your support on active Decisions
Contribute a donation to the group fund
Start your own conversations when you’re ready
Groups and How They Work
A group is your trusted community circle on Common Change — the people you share resources with and make decisions alongside. Some groups focus on financial sharing, some focus on sharing items and skills, and many do all three.
🚪 Joining a Group
You can join a group in two ways:
- →Via invitation — Accept an email invitation from a group owner or member
- →Via search — Find open or restricted groups and request to join
Note: Some groups are private and may not appear in search results. Contact Member Support if you’re having trouble finding a group.
✨ Creating a Group
With a Member account, you can create your own group within the Common Change Collective. New groups begin as a private draft.
- →Enter a group name and brief description
- →Invite founding members by email
- →Choose privacy settings
- →Set giving guidance and covenant
- →Publish when you’re ready
Group Privacy Options
Member Roles
The Four Types of Conversations
Everything that happens within a group starts with a conversation. Choosing the right type helps your group understand what you need and how best to respond.
💰 Financial Request
A request for financial support with a specific amount identified. Whenever possible, another member starts the request as an advocate rather than the person in need submitting it themselves.
🤝 Goods & Services
A request for non-financial support — time, skills, or items. Useful when practical help is needed instead of money. Examples: childcare help, rides, meals, tools, furniture.
🔍 Exploring
A space to gather input before making a request. Members can discuss a situation, ask questions, or seek guidance to determine whether a financial or goods-and-services request should be created.
📢 Announcement
Information shared with the group that does not require a decision or support — such as updates, gatherings, or general news.
Starting a Conversation
Navigate to Conversations
From the left-hand menu, select your group
Start New
Choose the group and click Proceed
Tell Your Story
Provide a title and share what’s happening
Select Type
Choose the conversation type that fits
Add Details
Amount, category, and timeframe (if applicable)
Recipient Info
Who will benefit from the request?
Payment Method
How should funds be delivered?
Review & Post
Confirm details and share with the group
Advocate Recommended: For financial requests where a group member is the recipient, another member should initiate the request as an advocate. While most gifts support people outside the group, an advocate can bring forward a request when a member is in need.
How the Decision Process Works
When a conversation is posted, the group makes a decision collectively. Every eligible member has until the deadline to indicate their support.
For Financial Requests
For Goods & Services
For Exploring & Announcements
Conversation Status Flow
Standard Progression
Terminating Statuses
Expired: Deadline passed without meeting threshold • Canceled: Withdrawn by requester or admin • Archived: Removed from active views but retained for reference
About the Decision Matrix: Each group uses a Decision matrix set by the Collective, defining how much member participation is needed for approval before the deadline. If the threshold is not met, the request expires and no funds are disbursed.
Donations
Donations enable your group to respond to financial needs. Funds are held in a shared account managed by Common Change and become available after processing.
How to Donate
Start Donating
From the Money menu, click Start Donating
Enter Amount
Choose how much you’d like to give
Cover Expenses
Optionally help cover platform costs
Choose Destination
Single group, multiple groups, or Collective
Set Frequency
Monthly (recommended) or one-time
Choose Visibility
Public or private donation
Review
Confirm details, fees, and total
Complete Payment
Secure checkout via Stripe
After you donate, your contribution will appear as Pending until funds fully clear and are approved. This typically takes 3–7 business days.
Payment by Region
The Collective Fund
Donations to the Collective Fund support needs across the wider Common Change network:
- ✓ Emergency community support
- ✓ Assistance for groups without sufficient funds
- ✓ Platform maintenance and development
- ✓ Strategic community initiatives
Tips for a Meaningful Community
Share Honestly
The more authentic your story, the more your community can connect. You don’t need to justify your need — just share it.
Engage in Every Decision
Take time to read each conversation before responding. “I Have Questions” is always a valued and constructive response.
Give Consistently
Even small monthly donations add up. A group where everyone gives a little can respond to a lot.
Welcome Newcomers
When someone new joins your group, take a moment to reach out personally. Community is built one relationship at a time.
Honor Your Covenant
If your group has a Group Covenant, it is the shared commitment you have all made. Return to it when things get difficult.
Comment and Encourage
You don’t have to be in a position to give financially to show up for someone. Comments and encouragement matter.
A Note on Privacy and Funds
Common Change is a nonprofit organization that facilitates benevolent giving within trusted communities. Contributions are made to Common Change and placed in designated accounts to support charitable and benevolent purposes as guided by group Decisions and applicable policies. Because donations are charitable contributions to the organization, they are not refundable.
If a group ceases operations, remaining funds may be:
- •Distributed through a final group Decision, or
- •Made available to the broader Collective to continue supporting people in need
Common Change does not use donated funds for private benefit.
Your personal information and donation details are shared only according to your selected privacy settings and applicable group permissions. Common Change does not sell your data or provide it to advertisers.
Need Help?
If you run into questions as you get started, here is where to turn.
Request a Demo
Want a walkthrough?
Guided Support
Looking for help? We have guided support to get you started.
Technical Support
For account or technical questions, we are here
Welcome to Common Change
We’re glad you’re here.