March 1, 2023

How To Start A Foreign Currency Charity Program

Understand the Basics

Collecting leftover foreign currency is not a difficult thing to do. When you think of a toy drive, a food drive, collecting pennies or bottle returns, none of those collections are difficult. Sure, they require planning and awareness and there are some logistics involved, but everyone understands the basic concept.

Collecting leftover foreign currency is very similar: in each of the other drives, the donor is being asked to donate something, and that something is not something they are likely to have with them. No one is carrying around a new unwrapped toy or a bag of non-perishable food items … and certainly no one has all of their bottle returns with them. So asking for foreign currency is the same; you are asking people to get their leftover foreign currency from wherever they may have it and bring it to the location at the date and time specified.

Let’s Break It Down

Any sort of fundraising drive is composed of only a couple of things: who is collecting, why the collection is happening, what is being collected, where the collection(s) will happen, and when the drive will take place. Any sort of drive is only as successful as the planning behind it.

Who

Who is collecting tells a story all on its own. If the Durham Children’s Aid Foundation is asking for donations, most people will intuitively understand the donation will supporting children in Durham Region.

Why

When you hear about a toy or food drive, you have a pretty good idea why those items are being collected. A penny drive or bottle drive is about raising funds and that can be for anything and so can a foreign currency drive.

This is where your story comes in.

You need to clearly explain why you are collecting funds and what they are going to be used for … this is your opportunity to get the empathetic donor. The why is more important than the what and can even be more important than who the charity is.

If the why is valid, the donation will follow.

What

You need to articulate what you want. We have all heard the terms “new unwrapped toy” or “non-perishable food item” and when you hear about a toy or food drive happening, you know what they want even if they don’t say. When it comes to collecting leftover foreign currency, there is a little bit of a challenge since it is not a common method of fundraising (yet). We have recommended that all of our charity partners use “#AllCurrencyAccepted” in all of their social media posts to create awareness across programs which will help everyone. We also use the phrases “Any Currency, Any Amount” to make it very clear what is being asked for. The globes below were used for the Fired-Up Gala forSickKids on Friday February 24, 2023 at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto .

Two gumball machines are sitting on a carpet in a room.

Where & When

If this is a one-time event, making sure everyone knows where and when donations will be accepted is extremely important. One-time events (drives) will need plenty of marketing (social media and other if funds allow) to reach your audience. You can’t start too far out or people will forget but you also can’t start too late or no one will know about the event.

If you are running an ongoing program, it is important to remind your donors about your program periodically. A gentle nudge here and there, an update on the success of the program, or asking donors to post pictures of themselves making a donation is a good way to engage your audience. An on-going program is also a great way to partner with businesses in the community and to support them by promoting their locations as places your donors can drop off their donations.

Event Based vs. On-going Program

As with most means of fundraising, some work great being a one-off while others make more sense as a long-term, ongoing program. Foreign currency fundraising is one of those that work well in either instance, it just depends on what is right for your organization.

Foreign currency donations can be added to any event-based fundraising. Simply add it as a method of donating and you are good to go! It can be added to a food or toy drive (they both usually accept cash donations anyway). Collecting leftover foreign currency during a bottle drive makes perfect sense since they are both recycling these items. And if you are considering a penny drive, adding foreign currency to the mix could drive up the overall value received by as much as 20X!

Foreign currency fundraising is perfect for a long-term, on-going program. It gives the organization time to explain the concept and if you are working with a 3rd party to host the collection containers, you can not only build a great relationship with that 3rd party, but you can also promote them as your charity partner and support them! Durham Children’s Aid Foundation has a great method of supporting their community partners … they’ve created a Google Map linking to every location. It not only shows the donor where they can drop off donations but creates awareness for those businesses!

Mail-in Option

Believe it or not, but people will mail their donations if you give them the opportunity. Durham Children’s Aid Foundation does this and they have donations mailed in from across Canada, from the United States, and they have even received a donation from as far away as Hong Kong!

UNICEF USA’s Change for Good program invites Americans to mail in donations of any currency. Big or small, your charity can take advantage of this too.

Let Us Help You

Give us a call or send us an e-mail to connect and explore ways we can help implement new or enhance your existing fundraising initiatives.

We can be reached at:

+1-647-351-COIN (2646) or scott@globalcoinsolutions.com.

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HOT Travel Season, COLD Cash Supports Kids!

By Dennis Ullman • September 12, 2025

Perspective from over 30 years of fund-raising experience As the busiest travel season of the year begins to wind down, I’m sure we can all agree… it certainly was a hot one. Record breaking temperatures, high levels of humidity along with a record number of forest fires made headlines during the past couple of months throughout North America. People made the most of the weather and enjoyed days at the beach or lounging in the pool. The heat did not negatively impact the level of travel throughout the summer and kept air conditioners running constantly for days on end. Many destinations that were visited required the need for a different or foreign currency. With so many denominations and types of currency available, people often have “leftover” currency upon their return to home or business. This foreign currency has no real use in our home communities. So how can we make a difference while making a positive impact with the leftover Foreign Currency? Question: What to do with the leftover Foreign Currency? We have a solution that provides a simple and convenient way to donate your leftover holiday cash. Donations can be made in support of an existing program or you can add your favourite charity to the growing list of organizations that can benefit from over $2 Billion of leftover Foreign Currency that exists in Canada. GCS and it’s charity (non-profit) partners support programs such as Currency for Kids and Currency for Food. These are just two of the many programs being supported by a growing number of organizations who now collect leftover Foreign Currency in support of local, regional and national community-based needs. This is an exciting time as many organizations are now realizing the benefits of receiving donations of leftover holiday cash. Organizations in the United States and throughout most of Canada are now able to receive your donation. Recently a volunteer living near Georgian Bay (Ontario) began to organize a new program that would see donations collected to support various Food Banks throughout the Georgian Triangle Region (area surrounding Collingwood, Ontario). For a complete list of locations where you can drop off your donation visit the GCS website to see a map of ALL locations that accept donations of leftover foreign currency. Alternatively, you can mail your donations to GCS for processing in support of your favourite charitable organization. How can your travels help to support Food and Kids? The answer is simple. Upon return from your vacation this summer, donate your leftover foreign currency to support initiatives like Currency for Food, Currency for Kids or the charity or non-profit organization of your choice. Yes, leftover coins and bank notes can be donated to help make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling. Many people are having difficulties these days. Disadvantaged Children and Youth are in need, as community organizations work to fund educational needs for the return to school in September, or even the basic essential for survival. Needs that include food, safe shelter, funds for clothing, mental health support and other basic necessities. Your donation of leftover Foreign Currency will make a difference. In case you are wondering, please be reminded that ALL CURRENCY is ACCEPTED, regardless of the amount, date of circulation, condition of the currency, etc. All currency has a value, maybe not useful for day-to-day purchases, but when repatriated back to the country of origin, the exchange into Canadian funds makes a tremendous difference in local communities. To date over $20 million has been processed thanks to donors across the country. When you consider there is an estimated $2-3 Billion still available in Canada, there is much more we can do to support charitable work. Be sure to donate your leftover Foreign Currency, the cold cash you have left over from your “hot” summer travels. Together we can make a real difference. Helping to Change the World, One Cent at a Time. For over ten years, Global Coin Solutions (GCS) has been repatriating leftover Foreign Currency in support of charities and not-for-profit organizations. $20 million has been collected, hand sorted, repatriated and at the end of the process donated to hundreds of charitable organizations. Visit GCS on YouTube for more information. Did You Know? If you are seeking a charity to receive your donation, or if your charity of choice is not aware of Foreign Currency Collection Programs, please reach out to the team at Global Coin Solutions (GCS) and we’ll ensure that your donation is processed and the funds are provided to assist your charity of choice. Please visit the GCS website for more information https://www.globalcoinsolutions.com/ . For more information contact Dennis Ullman, Vice-President – Innovation and Development, Global Coin Solutions dennis@globalcoinsolutions.com or visit Global Coin Solutions today. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Busy Travel Season, Supports Food and Kids!

By Dennis Ullman • August 27, 2025

Perspective from over 30 years of fund-raising experience Yes, it’s that time of year… the busiest season of the year for travel. With the children now out of school for summer vacation and many parents taking time off… travel will most likely be the plan for many people. As we plan our summer trips, I’m learning that making reservations in advance is a great idea. Many favourable places are getting booked for the summer months. Travels and vacation may include visiting family, friends, sightseeing and could include a trip to a foreign country. Perhaps visiting your heritage and immersing yourself in a familiar culture is the plan. Others may be looking for an adventure and planning to traveling somewhere new. Every 60 seconds the team at GCS hears the airplanes fly over our office, as the planes come and go from Lester B. Pearson Airport. This is tangible proof that we are still travelling on a regular basis. Some destinations often lead to the need for a different or foreign currency. GCS is very thankful for our partners who support programs such as Currency for Kids . Be sure to visit one of the currency exchanges that help to collect donations of leftover foreign currency. Some of these awesome partners include Global Currency Services (Guelph) , Ultimate Currency (Ottawa area) , Wellington FX (Kingston) , Currency Convertors (Waterloo) , London Currency Exchange , Foreign Exchange Currency Shop (Finchurst Plaza) or one of 19 Continental Currency Exchange locations. Or, you can visit the GCS website that includes a map of ALL locations that accept donations of leftover foreign currency. Now that you have your Currency for the trip… please accept our best wishes and enjoy your vacation. How can your travels help to support Food and Kids? The answer is simple. Upon return from your vacation this summer, donate your leftover foreign currency to support initiatives like Currency for Food , Currency for Kids or the charity or non-profit organization of your choice. Yes, those leftover coins and bank notes can be donated to help make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling. Many people are having difficulties these days. Food Banks are in the news every day as they report a drastic increase in the demand for support as the number of families accessing the Food Banks are at record levels. Children and Youth are also in need, as community organizations work to fund summer camps, educational needs for the return to school in September, or even the basic needs to survive. Needs that include safe shelter, funds for clothing and other basic necessities. Your donation of leftover Foreign Currency will make a difference. Remember, donations of leftover holiday cash can help children, families, seniors, those trying to improve their mental health and many other needs in our community. I have an idea… what if you donated all of the leftover Foreign Currency you have from your summer vacation or travels to a charitable organization? I'm not referring to your disposable income or your vacation fund for the next trip. GCS is encouraging you to donate those coins and bank notes that will not be accepted by the currency exchange or bank. Please keep in mind, ALL CURRENCY ACCEPTED , regardless of the amount, date of circulation, condition of the currency, etc. All currency has a value, maybe not here in our community – but when repatriated back to the country of origin, the exchange into Canadian funds continues to make a difference. To date over $25 million has been processed thanks to donors like you. This may be great news. But, when you consider there is an estimated $2-3 Billion still available in Canada, there is much more we can do to support charitable work in our communities. Be sure to set a reminder on your phone or calendar to donate your leftover Foreign Currency at the end of the summer . Together we can make a real difference. Helping to Change the World, One Cent at a Time . For over ten years, Global Coin Solutions (GCS) has been repatriating leftover Foreign Currency in support of charities and not-for-profit organizations. During this time, https://www.facebook.com/CurrencyForFood/, hand sorted, repatriated and at the end of the process donated to hundreds of charitable organizations. Visit GCS on YouTube for more information. Did You Know? If you are seeking a charity to receive your donation, or if your charity of choice is not aware of Foreign Currency Collection Programs, please reach out to the team at Global Coin Solutions (GCS) and we’ll ensure that your donation is processed and the funds are provided to assist your charity of choice. Please visit the GCS website for more information https://www.globalcoinsolutions.com/ . For more information contact Dennis Ullman, Vice-President – Innovation and Development, Global Coin Solutions dennis@globalcoinsolutions.com or visit Global Coin Solutions today.

CHANGE – What does this really mean?

By Dennis Ullman • August 27, 2025

Perspective from over 30 years of fund-raising experience We have been hearing so much about “change” throughout the past couple of months. During the election campaigns, everyone spoke of a better Canada, time for a change, etc. I heard many years ago that “everyone wants progress and growth, but very few want to experience change” In fact, we are often fearful of real change. At the same time, we complain about the political situation, finances, local leaders and now, regardless of the final outcome – many people will be unhappy with the results of the recent federal election. Take the United States for example, “everyone” wanted change, so the majority voted in President Trump. Yes, he is making drastic changes, but people are complaining about the changes. The way to make a real difference or make a significant change, is to do something different that will hopefully bring about something new, different results, perhaps something better for all. If we don’t implement or try something different or new… change will never take place. Hopefully we can agree that reducing the need for Food Banks, minimizing impact of import/export tariffs, and a solution that would provide access to affordable housing would be a real change. I have an idea… what if we took all of the leftover Foreign Currency we have and donated it to a charitable organization? Yes, taking our change (coins) and using them to support real change in our community and in fact the entire country. What if we stopped storing up our leftover foreign currency, bank notes and coins and instead we donated this currency to help support change. I can hear the responses coming through already. How would this be possible? It will never make an impact, etc. What we do know is that Food Banks report that you can actually feed an adult or small family for around $75 per week. Some may argue, but the source of this statistic comes from the Food Bank networks… Let’s do the math… $100K in donations would feed over 133,000 for a week… to feed 133,000 for a year would cost approximately $5.2 Million. Considering that there is between $2-3 Billion available in leftover foreign currency, this is actually very realistic. With lots of potential funds still available to assist with the need for affordable housing and other needs in the community. We could assist seniors, disadvantaged youth, children living invulnerable situations, mental heath supports, summer camps for kids and the list goes on… What we need to do is make a real change. Rather than storing up our leftover foreign currency, which is what the majority of us currently do. We also have no real plan to use these funds and we can’t exchange most of the coins and some denominations into Canadian currency. So, now is the time to take our “change” and make a real change in our country. We don’t need to ask the government for additional funding or their permission to donate our leftover foreign currency. So, let’s go ahead make a real difference by donating to our charity of choice TODAY! The donation of leftover foreign currency does not come from our disposable income, so no direct impact on our day-to-day living. It’s time to donate those bags, boxes and containers of currency you were not able to return to the bank or currency exchange. Are you willing to make a real change? While helping to minimize the impact of the negative and strive to make life more positive for our family, friends and neighbours For over ten years, Global Coin Solutions (GCS) has been repatriating leftover Foreign Currency in support of charities and not-for-profit organizations. During this time, over $20 million was collected, hand sorted, repatriated and at the end of the process donated to hundreds of charitable organizations. Visit the GCS on YouTube for more information. Did You Know? If you are seeking a charity to receive your donation, or if your charity of choice is not aware of Foreign Currency Collection Programs, reach out to the team at Global Coin Solutions (GCS) and we’ll ensure that your donation is processed and the funds are provided to assist your charity of choice. Please visit the GCS website for more information https://www.globalcoinsolutions.com/ . Your donations could help to support Currency for Kids, Currency for Food or many other organizations. Please donate your leftover foreign currency today. Now is the time for you to begin helping to Change the World, One Cent at a Time. For more information contact Dennis Ullman, Vice-President – Innovation and Development, Global Coin Solutions dennis@globalcoinsolutions.com or visit Global Coin Solutions today.