Change for Good

Change for Good

An opportunity for our community members - owners, shoppers and AFC employees - to learn more about organizations that we partner with.

2020 was the first year of the Change for Good partnership, a monthly register round-up program to benefit local organizations voted on by Co-op owners. The cumulative donations of shoppers choosing to round-up their register total to the nearest dollar makes positive change for our community, cents at a time.

The Board of Directors seeks partner organizations that support any of the following efforts:

Education, Arts and Culture - This CFG category supports organizations that provide education, arts and cultural programs that benefit the local community. This category also funds projects that teach us about the benefits of healthy food and nutrition

Health and Basic Needs - This CFG category supports organizations that strengthen our community by helping those with the greatest unmet needs. These needs include issues of housing and homelessness, providing for food, shelter, and clothing and/or addressing the needs of children in and on the edge of poverty. This category also funds organizations committed to human health, a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.

Environmental Stewardship - This CFG category provides funds for hands-on projects that improve or restore our natural environment. Additional support is provided for organizations that increase awareness and viability of local food producers and/or support sustainable agriculture.

Applications require an explanation of how the work of the organization addresses one or more of these priorities.

Apply to be a 2027 Change for Good Partner

Change for Good Timeline 2026:

• February 3, 2026: Change for Good Application available on Co-op website
• February 10, 2026, 5:30 PM: Change for Good Information Meeting in the Co-op Community Classroom (watch the 2025 video)
• February 26, 2026, 9:00 PM: Change for Good Application Closes
• May 2026: Change for Good Partners Nominated for Election
• May 2026: Change for Good Election begins via online ballot to AFC Owners
• June 2026: AFC Gives Change for Good Partners announced

(To be notified when these applications open, please feel welcome to subscribe to our AFC Gives News List)

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Can we apply if we are not a 501c3?
  Applicants are required to be a 501c3 organization (EIN number is required), or have a 501c3 as your fiscal sponsor.
  Applicants must also have an Ashland Food Co-op owner affiliated with your organization (whether it be the individual applying, a member of your board, staff, or a key donor).
• How will our month be decided if we are chosen?
  Months are assigned by members of the AFC Gives Committee based on number of votes awarded with some flexibility depending on organization's needs and scheduling.
• What does our organization need to do during our Change for Good month?
  Organizations that are chosen in the election will need to provide the AFC Marketing Department with supplemental materials to assist in promoting their organization during their Change for Good month. The organization's logo file, mission statement, a few photos and videos of the organization's work, a concise statement for cashiers to briefly say what the organization does, etc. In addition to providing files and photos, we also encourage organizations to promote this opportunity for their supporters to round up their totals when shopping at the Co-op. We encourage each organization to mail their supporters to let them know about the partnership and share social media posts.
• Can I apply to Change for Good and Community Grants?
  Organizations that are selected as a Change for Good partner are not eligible to apply for a Community Grant in the same year they are a Change for Good Partner. Since Change for Good Partners are selected each spring for the following year (i.e. selected in 2026 as a 2027 Partner), an organization selected in 2026 as a 2027 Change for Good partner can still apply for and receive a Community Grant in Fall 2026. But that same organization will not be eligible for a Community Grant in 2027.
• What can our Change for Good funding be used for?
  There are no requirements for how the Change for Good funds are used by your organization as long as you are using them for your organization and for the mission you shared with us.
• How much is being raised at the register per month?
  Organizations have typically received about $3,000-$7,000 during their partner month. Organizations may see an increase in this total by encouraging their supporters to visit the Co-op during their partnership month.
• When are the Change for Good funds available?
  Funds are available approximately three weeks after the month of Change for Good partnership has ended. After a reconciliation of our sales, a check is sent to the organization.

Each year, members of the AFC Gives committee gather on Zoom to host a Q&A session for nonprofits interested in applying or learning more about the Change for Good program. You can view the 2025 session below:

AFC Gives February 2026 Webinar