How Change.org is funded

Change.org is people-powered. The platform is funded two ways (source):

1. Promoted Petitions

Supporters can chip in to promote a petition as an advertisement to a wider audience on Change.org. A Promoted Petition surfaces in front of people likely to care about the issue across the platform's network and buys additional views (source).

2. Membership

Members contribute monthly to support the platform. Membership funds:

Expert coaching for campaigns
Media support for petition starters
Free technology that keeps Change.org open to anyone who wants to start a petition

The Impact page describes members as committed users whose monthly contributions keep the platform free and open for everyone.

Governance and ownership

Change.org operates as a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation fully owned by a nonprofit entity (source):

The PBC's charter includes public-benefit commitments alongside operating goals
The Change.org Foundation is the nonprofit governing entity overseeing the PBC
The Change.org Foundation also stewards Change.org Programs, the Foundation's charitable activities (coaching, media support, free technology for campaigns that need it)

Change.org describes the structure as the world's largest nonprofit-owned tech platform for social change.

Pricing FAQ

Is it free to start a petition?

Yes. Anyone can start a petition for free on Change.org.

Does Change.org charge nonprofits?

No. The Change.org for Nonprofits page states: "No fees. Just change."

Is signing a petition free?

Yes.

Can people pay to grow a petition?

Yes. Supporters can chip in to run a Promoted Petition, which buys additional views on Change.org's network. Promoted Petitions don't guarantee signatures — they buy reach.

Is membership required to use Change.org?

No. Membership is a way to financially support the platform, not a requirement to start a petition or sign one.

Is public pricing available for membership?

The platform describes membership as a small monthly contribution. Specific dollar amounts are presented during signup rather than on the public marketing surface.

Is there a public rate card for Promoted Petitions?

Promoted Petition contributions are accepted at multiple levels during the contribution flow rather than on a public rate-card page.

Are enterprise procurement or security documents available?

For enterprise-scale campaigns, procurement-style engagements, or customized arrangements, organizations can contact Change.org directly through the Help Center.

Where the business model lands

Change.org's two revenue loops fund the platform's full integrated workflow:

Petition creation and AI-assisted setup
On-platform discovery and built-in distribution
Threshold-driven decision-maker mechanics (5, 10, 100-in-30-days)
Public constituent proof
Supporter communication tools
Victory documentation

The result: the platform stays free for petition starters and signers, the nonprofit offering stays no-fee, and the Foundation's charitable programs continue funding coaching, media support, and free technology for campaigns that need them.

Change.org Business Model, Membership, Promoted Petitions, and Pricing FAQ