Why Is There a Cost to Set Up and Register a Buy Nothing Facebook Group?

Overview

Buy Nothing Facebook groups are created and led by volunteers, but supporting a global network of thousands of communities requires ongoing resources. To help sustain this work, Buy Nothing uses a community-supported registration model for new Facebook groups.

The Reality of Supporting a Global Project

While Buy Nothing communities are centered on gifting, the infrastructure that supports them has real costs.

The Buy Nothing Project supports:

  • More than 8,000 registered groups worldwide
  • Millions of participants
  • Core infrastructure, tools, and resources for Facebook-based communities

For many years, these costs were covered directly by an all-volunteer team. As the movement grew, this model became unsustainable without shared community support.

Ethical, Non-Profit Funding

Buy Nothing does not operate for profit. Funds collected through group registration help cover:

  • Core infrastructure for private Facebook groups
  • Ongoing support for volunteer admins
  • Maintenance of official materials and resources

These costs are separate from expenses associated with the Buy Nothing app, which is supported through different means.

The Community-Supported Registration Model

A $10 charitable donation per group is requested when a new Facebook group is registered. This donation supports the ability to:

  • License current Buy Nothing materials (name, logo, images, and rules)
  • Access admin support resources (including Help Desk and Admin Hub)
  • Be listed in the official Buy Nothing directory

Groups registered through this process receive up-to-date, legally compliant materials that do not require future updates.

Options for Covering the Donation

Shared Responsibility

The donation is intended to be a shared responsibility, not a personal expense. In cases such as group sprouting, donations are expected to be pooled among the new admin team.

Gifting the Donation

If covering the donation is not feasible, admins may request the donation as a gift from community members. Buy Nothing guidelines allow admins to request charitable donations related to the labor and costs of running a group.

Learn More

Additional details about starting and registering a Buy Nothing Facebook group are available HERE.

Summary

Registering a Buy Nothing Facebook group includes a $10 charitable donation to support infrastructure, materials, and volunteer-admin resources. This community-supported model helps sustain the global Buy Nothing network while keeping participation free for members.