Thinking about bringing a gift card program to your community? Do it. Community gift cards are one of the most effective tools that communities can use to keep dollars local, support small businesses, and strengthen their local economic ecosystem.
At PPR Strategies, we’ve helped communities take gift card programs from the initial concept to a full launch, handling everything from planning and platform selection to marketing, business recruitment, and ongoing support. If you’re on the fence, here are three reasons to bring a community gift card program to your community.
1. Keeps Spending Local
Community gift cards make it easy for residents and visitors to shop locally. Instead of dollars drifting toward online retailers or big-box stores, gift cards funnel spending directly to downtowns and locally owned businesses.
According to Yiftee, one of our trusted partners, 51% of community cardholders try new businesses with their cards. 92% of those surveyed said that they prefer supporting local businesses with a community gift card over purchasing national brand gift cards. Community gift cards are proven to introduce people to new gems in your community, helping expand the customer base for participating businesses.
2. Shows Support to the Business Community
A community gift card program is a great way to show that your organization is invested in the success of local businesses. Beyond driving sales, it sends a clear message that the business community matters and that local leaders are willing to invest in tools that help local businesses succeed.
When funds are spent locally, they stay local. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, an estimated $68 stays in the community. Community gift cards generate immediate revenue while also building long-term customer loyalty, creating an environment where businesses want to plant roots, stay, and grow.
3. A Free Marketing Tool for Local Businesses
One of the largest advantages of a community gift card program? It’s simple and low-cost for businesses to participate.
With platforms like Yiftee, there is no setup cost, and low operating costs for community organizers or merchants. Card buyers typically pay a small processing fee per gift purchased (unless the organizing entity chooses to cover it). The exact structure may vary by provider, but with Yiftee, there’s no cost for businesses to be part of the program.
That means every participating business gains exposure and promotion for their business without having to add another line item to their marketing budget.
Once your community gift card program is in place, we get to work building momentum. Successful programs focus on encouraging local businesses to participate while generating strong awareness throughout the community.
From there, marketing can scale in a variety of ways. This may include themed campaigns aligned with holidays, major events, and peak gift-buying seasons; a mix of paid, owned, and earned media; or limited-time promotions such as Buy One, Get One Free bonus card campaigns that multiply the impact of every dollar spent locally.
The options don’t stop there. Community gift card programs are not one-size-fits-all. The most successful programs reflect the identity and goals of the communities they serve, which is why we tailor each marketing approach to resonate with the local community.
If you’re interested in launching a community gift card program or revitalizing an existing one, we’d love to help. From concept to fruition, we support organizations in bringing the program to life. Drop me a line and let’s talk about what a community gift card program looks like in your community!
