The Buy Nothing Project was founded in 2013 with the mission to build community by connecting people through hyperlocal gifting, and reducing our impact on the environment. Our mission has not changed. In fact, we've doubled down by investing in our own platform that will allow us (collectively) to realize this mission to its fullest.

The Buy Nothing Project is the world's biggest gift economy, being used in communities around the world, allowing neighbors to share freely with one another.

What is a gift economy? It means everything shared on Buy Nothing is given freely, no money, no barter, no strings. Free.

On Buy Nothing, you can post three things:

• GIFTS of items or services that others can use
• ASKS for things you could use
• GRATITUDES to show appreciation and thanks

Our communities are guided by Community Builders that offer help, guidance, reminders, creative challenges, and overall positive vibes to help our communities thrive.

Why We Exist:

We exist for the sole purpose of building community. We believe a gift economy's real wealth is the people involved and the web of connections that form to support them.

In a Nutshell:

BuyNothing offers people a way to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude through a worldwide gift economy network in which the true wealth is the web of connections formed between people. We believe that communities are more resilient, sustainable, equitable, and joyful when they have functional gift economies.

Principles:

• We believe our hyper-local groups strengthen the social fabric of their communities, and ensure the health and vitality of each member.
• We come from a place of abundance ~ not scarcity.
• We believe in abundance, we give, we ask, we share, we lend and we express gratitude.
• We are a gift economy, not a charity. We see no difference between want and need, waste and treasure.
• We do not buy, sell, trade, barter, or otherwise exchange money for items or services.
• We measure wealth by the personal connections made and trust between people.
• We value people and their stories and narratives above the ‘stuff.’
• We are inclusive at our core.
• We value honesty and integrity in all our interactions.
• We view all gifts as equal; the human connection is the value.
• We believe every community has the same wealth of generosity and abundance.

Want to Build a New Buy Nothing Gift Economy? Visit this page for more information about all of the ways you can use our freely-given resources to bring your vision to life.

Please know that our BuyNothing app is open for everyone to instantly join, so you do not need Facebook or any other social media app to participate.