Frequently Asked Questions

Membership FAQ’s Network Partner FAQ’s Fundraising FAQ’s

Membership FAQ

What is The Child Smile Network?

The Child Smile Network is comprised of a growing number of caring businesses that have banded together to support charitable activities within their communities and across Canada. Each Network Partner has agreed to provide members with a discount or incentive of each purchase made in their business by a Child Smile Network member

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What are the goals of The Child Smile Network?

The goals of The Child Smile Network are quite simple. We want to promote small to medium sized businesses in Canada while at the same time helping charities and not-for-profits achieve their goals.

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How much does it cost to become a member of The Child Smile Network?

Membership in The Child Smile Network is only $20 a year, Proceeds from the sale of each membership card go directly to charity or not-for-profit organizations within your community.

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Where can I purchase a membership?

Child Smile Network memberships can be purchased directly on line at www.childsmile.com, through participating Network Partner location or through local not-for-profit organizations who carry the card at there location. Or through Charitable fundraising programs through out the community.

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What do I get for my membership?

Membership in The Child Smile Network allows you to support a charities or not-for-profit organization (those registered with CSN) across Canada. Discounts and incentives on purchases made from participating Network Business Partners.

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Why am I asked to register my card?

Registering your card is an added bonus of your Child Smile Network membership. Registration enables us to keep you informed on activities of The Child Smile Network and of members’ only specials or sales with our Network Business Partners.

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What if I choose not to register my card?

This is perfectly acceptable though you would be missing out on a many of the benefits that The Child Smile Network can offer you.

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Is my personal information sold to outside parties?

Absolutely not! Our privacy guarantee (available on www.ChildSmile.com) explains how your personal information is protected and that we will never sell, rent or give your information to any party, unless required to do so by law. All communications from Network Partners to members that have elected to receive Email or standard mail are processed through The Child Smile Network.

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Will I receive junk email as a result of joining The Child Smile Network?

We do not sell, rent or release our member information to anyone. Only Email communication that has been pre-approved by the member is ever sent. Email communications consist of our member newsletter (informs our members of our charitable activities, new Network Partners, and member only sales) and direct Email to members offering discounts, coupons or other incentives of interest to them. At any time you as a member can elect to have yourself removed from these lists. For your protection, all email will not have attachments, instead they will carry hyperlink to help direct you to additional information.

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How can I find out about businesses that belong to The Child Smile Network?

Simply check out our online Partner directory at www.ChildSmile.com or look for The Child Smile Network logo in any of our Network Partner’s locations.

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What charities or not-for-profits are sponsored by The Child Smile Network?

The Child Smile Network supports a growing number of charities and not-for-profit organizations across Canada. To qualify to receive funding from The Child Smile Network, a charity or non-profit organization must meet the following guidelines/requirements:
It must be Canadian based or have a Canadian branch that directly serves children and family needs in Canada.
It must be a registered charity under the current Canada Customs and Revenue Agency guidelines or a school recognized by provincial education authorities.
Organizations must not be political in nature or operate on a for-profit basis.

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How can I let others know about this amazing program?

The Child Smile Network is growing everyday and we need your help to keep it growing. The more members we have in the program the more funds are available to support your causes. We hope you will tell your friends about our program or let them know through our Tell-A-Friend system at www.ChildSmile.com

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Network Partner FAQ

What is The Child Smile Network?

The Child Smile Network is a cause related marketing program comprised of a growing number of caring businesses just like yours that have banded together to support charitable activities, while at the same time increasing sales in their establishments. We create win/win situations in which members shopping at Network Partner businesses can have a portion of each purchase given to the charity or not-for-profit of their choosing. In return the participating businesses build their standing in the community and build loyalty from their Customers.

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What are the goals of The Child Smile Network?

The goals of The Child Smile Network are quite simple. We want to promote small to medium sized businesses in Canada while at the same time helping charities and not-for-profits achieve their goals. We do this by providing consumers with a program that encourages and rewards them for shopping and dining at Network Partner businesses.

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What do I receive as a Partner in The Child Smile Network?

The ability to build your businesses reputation as a caring member of your community is one of the key benefits of belonging to The Child Smile Network. There are also many other tangible benefits of belonging to The Child Smile Network including:

    • Directory listing on www.ChildSmile.com
    • Customized webpage that describes your business and your products to consumers. Additional web pages for your menu, product list or other information are also available.
    • Reduced rate advertising in our print and online publications.
    • Access to our online coupon distribution service.
    • Free bag stuffers that can be given to customers, notifying them of your involvement in The Child Smile Network.
    • In-store signage for your counters and doors to let everyone know you are a Network Partner.
    • An initial free inventory of membership cards that you may sell or give to employees and family members.
    • Access to numerous tools to help you reach your customer better (targeted Email, Direct Mail, surveys, print coupon distribution, etc.)
    • The ability to reward your Customers for shopping with you through our Member Sweepstakes program.

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How can I use The Child Smile Network to attract new Customers?

The key to attracting New Customers is to know who your existing Customers are. The Child Smile Network program allows you to capture and analyze the basic geo-demographic profile of your existing Customer base. By better understanding where your Customers live, their income levels and what their interests are, you can better target your marketing campaigns to reach consumers with similar characteristics at a much lower overall cost. Note: Our member’s personal information is protected by The Child Smile Network privacy guarantee and no personally identifiable information is ever provided.

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What other incentives do my customers receive if I become a Partner?

The Child Smile Network Member Sweepstakes program allows your business, along with our other Partners, to provide your Customers with the opportunity to win prizes for simply shopping at your location. Each dollar spent in a Network Partner location entitles the member to one ballot in our monthly sweepstakes, the more they shop the better there opportunities to win.
In addition to our Sweepstakes program, we also offer our Network Partners the ability to identify members that have spent the most money in your location over a given time period. Through our targeted marketing vehicles you can reward these valuable Customers with incentives for further purchases or simply to build goodwill. As always, no personally identifiable information on our members is ever released.

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How can I increase exposure for my business through The Child Smile Network?

The Child Smile Network offers our Network Partners many different tools with which to increase exposure for your business. Our website and web directory is listed with all major International search engines and on many local Internet directories. We issue press releases to the media informing them of new Partners and the many charitable activities of The Child Smile Network. Our regular member newsletters notify members of new Network Partners and are also available for advertising opportunities. Banner advertisements and advertorials (paid editorials about your business) are available on our website.

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How can The Child Smile Network help me increase revenues for my business?

Partnership in The Child Smile Network makes good business sense. Apart from allowing you to increase your profile in the community and reach out to your Customers, we can also help you increase your revenues. Each Network Partner is entitled to sell memberships in The Child Smile Network to their Customers. A portion of each membership sale made is retained by the Partner as a sales commission Talk to your CSN representative for more details.

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What are the costs associated with The Child Smile Network?

The overall cost of belonging to The Child Smile Network is very reasonable. Introductory packages are available to new Partners for a limited time (free for basic membership with a moderate cost for showcase listing). Our prices are comparable to a single advertisement in your community newspaper and much less expensive than other forms of media.
Membership cards purchased from The Child Smile Network for sale in Partner Businesses locations are billed between 60-90 days, allowing you to sell the cards before having to pay for them. We also offer a card buy back program if you are unable to sell the number of cards initially requested.

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What form of payments is available through The Child Smile Network?

Once registered online, we accept Paypal which will provide activation with in 2 business days or you can print off an invoice and mail a cheque to The Child Smile Network. Once the cheque has cleared your account will be activated on the website. Transaction fees and membership card fees are billed monthly and can be sent via mail, fax or Email. The choice is yours.

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How long does it take from my initial enrollment until I am able to view my webpage online?

Depending on the number of Partners enrolling at the time your application is received, reviewed and proceed, it could take up to 2 business days after enrollment for your webpage to be posted. A digital picture of your business or a copy of your logo is recommended to enhance your web listing and is offered in out Showcase option.

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What if I need to change my webpage?

Simply log on using your sign on name and password and make your changes free of charge. The Child Smile Network reviews all content before listing however it is your responsibility to ensure your content and postings represent your image. If you have any question please calll or Email us to let us know if you have any concerns.

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What if I already have an existing website?

Many businesses have already established their web presence and we can simply link your existing website to our directory. We would ask that you provide a link on your website back to The Child Smile Network website to let visitors know that you are associated with our organization. For the protection for all, all website links must be approved and are regularly visited for content.

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How are charities and not-for-profits funded by The Child Smile Network?

Charities and not-for-profits receive funding in a number of ways from The Child Smile Network. A portion of each membership card sold goes to The Child Smile Network Canadian Children’s Fund Charities in our Charity Partner program can also raise additional funds through the direct sale of membership cards to their supporters or the general public as fundraising.

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What charities and not-for-profits does The Child Smile Network support?

The Child Smile Network supports a growing number of charities and not-for-profit organizations across Canada. The charity supported with each purchase is chosen by the member making the purchase.
To qualify to receive funding from The Child Smile Network, a charity or non-profit organization must meet the following guidelines/requirements:
It must be Canadian based or have a Canadian branch that directly serves children and family needs in Canada.  
It must be a registered charity under the current Canada Customs and Revenue Agency guidelines or a school recognized by provincial education authorities. Organizations must not be political in nature or operate on a for-profit basis.  

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How does my pledge get distributed to charity?

All charitable funds are held in trust in an account managed by Peakvest Financial Services of Toronto and 100% of all funds raised go to Charity. All charitable funds are protected and maintained separately from The Child Smile Network. Peakvest will then send the funds to the appropriate charity or not-for-profit organization.

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Can I recommend another business to The Child Smile Network?

Of course, we encourage all of our Network Partners to help us grow The Child Smile Network. More businesses mean more members, more members mean more customers and more donations to our supported charities, everyone wins.

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How do I go about ordering additional membership cards to sell?

You can order additional membership cards to sell through a number channels. To request additional cards simply call us at 905-689-8728 or complete our online card request form. Please note a fee per order is charged to cover the shipping and handling of each order.

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How do I contact The Child Smile Network?

You can reach The Child Smile Network in many ways:
Phone: 905-689-7828
Toll Free: 1-866-881-8876
Email: info@childsmile.com
Or via mail at:
The Child Smile Network
2025 Guelph Line
Burlington, ON
L7P 4X4

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Fundraising FAQs

What is The Child Smile Network?

The Child Smile Network consists of a growing number of local and national businesses and members of the general public that have come together with a single vision: to help children and families within their local communities and across Canada. We offer a national discount card program that raises funds for local and national charities and not-for-profits.

Members of the general public may purchase a one year membership to join The Child Smile Network, the proceeds from each membership card sold goes directly to support numerous charitable programs across the country. Each business in the Network, we call them Network Partners, agrees to provide a discount or sales incentive to any member that makes a purchase in their business and presents their membership card.

The Child Smile Network creates win/win/win solutions!

  • Members of the general public who purchase a membership card can receive discounts and incentives well above the value of their card by simply shopping in local stores and businesses. They also win by having the satisfaction of knowing that their membership card purchase helped a local community organization and a children’s charitable program.
  • Local Network Partner businesses win by showing everyone in their community that they operate a caring business that is focused on helping protect our future generations. Their participation in the program also encourages increased sales for their business through increased purchases by Child Smile Network members. Oh and did we say that it costs absolutely nothing for a business to become a Network Partner!
  • And of course the biggest winners of them all are our children and the many charitable and not-for-profit organizations that help provide health, educational and sports benefits to them everyday. Through direct donations, scholarships or through our membership fundraising program we can help ensure that our children’s futures are bright and prosperous.
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Who is eligible to sell Child Smile Network membership cards as a fundraiser?

Any charitable or not-for-profit organization that helps children or community programs is eligible to sell Child Smile Network memberships as a fundraising activity. Sports teams or organizations, school clubs, church groups or service clubs are all welcome to contact The Child Smile Network and let us help you raise additional funds for your program(s). Just contact us via our website at www.ChildSmile.com or call 905-689-7828 and we’ll gladly help you get set up as a selling organization within The Child Smile Network.

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How much money can we make from each card that we sell?

Each membership card sells for $20 plus GST with $10 going to the selling organization (your organization) and $5 to The Child Smile Network Canadian Children’s Fund. The remaining funds help to cover the distribution, marketing and administrative costs of The Child Smile Network.

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How much money can our organization raise through this program?

The sky is really the limit when it comes to raising funds through the sale of Child Smile Network memberships. The more memberships that your organization is able to sell within your community, the more money that you can raise to support your program(s) and other valuable activities. We even provide a $1,000 bonus to the organization that sells the most membership cards in each program year.

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How much money do we need up front to begin selling Child Smile Network memberships?

Absolutely nothing!! All you need is a dedicated team of members to sell Child Smile Network memberships to their friends and family or through community fairs and other events. Costs associated with selling memberships such as community booth rentals in local malls (these are usually available for free to local not-for-profits) are the responsibility of the selling organization.

You simply request the number of membership cards you hope to sell and we will send you the cards and a complete selling package. Payment for the cards sold is not due for 90 days after the day they are shipped so you will have a lot of time to sell your cards before any payment is even due. We only invoice you for the portion of the funds that cover the Child Smile Network Canadian Children’s Fund portion, the distribution and tax portions. You keep $10 for every card sold in your bank account. If you are unable to sell all the cards requested, simply ship them back to us for a full refund.

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We have local businesses that would like to support the Child Smile Network, can they sign-up as Network Partners?

Absolutely! The key to a successful local community sales campaign is to have a lot of local businesses willing to participate in the program and offer discounts or incentives to our Child Smile Network members. It costs absolutely nothing for a business to join The Child Smile Network and they can leave at any time, the only cost to the business is the discount or incentive (which they determine) that they offer to members for shopping in their store.

The Child Smile Network is designed specifically to promote small to medium sized businesses and offers our Network Partner businesses many tools and programs to help them promote and grow their businesses. Visit our website at www.ChildSmile.com for more details on our Network Partner business program.

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What sales support do we receive from The Child Smile Network?

The success of The Child Smile Network and our ability to provide funds to children’s and family charities in your community and across the country hinges on your success in selling Child Smile Network memberships within your community. If you would like a representative of The Child Smile Network to come to your organization and answer any of your questions, please call us at 905-689-7828.

We also provide all selling organizations with a sales package that contains:

  • A number of complimentary cards that you can give to sponsors, your members or to sell to raise additional funds for your organization. There will be no charge for these cards and all proceeds go back to your organization.
  • Application forms and instructions for enrolling local businesses as Network Partners.
  • Information on The Child Smile Network program and how it helps local and national charitable programs.
  • Selling tips and techniques to help your members raise funds for your program(s).
  • Templates for various promotional posters and flyers that you can print out.
  • Local coupons, where available, that allow for instant discounts to anyone purchasing a membership card from your organization.
  • Press releases that you can provide to local media outlets to let your community know that you are raising funds and helping children across the country.

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Can we partner with other local organizations to sell membership cards?

Of course! We actually encourage that, especially with smaller organizations. As a small organization you may choose to partner with another local program to sell memberships within your community or you may work with local Network Partner businesses to have them sell membership cards in their business locations on your behalf. Our fundraising program is flexible and available to organizations of all sizes to help you reach your fundraising goals.

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Where can our organization sell membership cards?

You can sell Child Smile Network membership cards just about anywhere. Your members can sell memberships to their friends and family members, at local community events, in local shopping malls or through local business partners.

We do not encourage door to door membership card sales.

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Who normally buys Child Smile membership cards?

One of the advantages of a Child Smile Network membership is that it appeals to everyone! Local discounts and incentives reward members of every age, sex, ethnic background, language or cultural group. People know that by purchasing a membership in The Child Smile Network they are not only getting a valuable reward card that more than pays for itself, but they are also helping children and families both in their local communities and across Canada.

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Can we offer discounts on the cards we sell?

While we don’t encourage the discounting of membership cards to be fair to other selling organizations, sometimes this can be used as a selling technique. All discounts offered on the sales of membership cards must come from the $10 selling commission of your organization and cannot come from the Child Smile Network Children’s Fund portion or the administrative and distribution portion. Selling at a discount will reduce the funds that your organization can raise through our program.

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What is the Child Smile Network Canadian Children’s Fund?

This is a fund maintained by a third party trust company for the exclusive purpose of making charitable donations to registered Canadian charitable and not-for-profit organizations that support the health, well-being and education of Canadian children. This trust fund receives funds from the sale of Child Smile Network memberships, direct donations and other sources and all funds are kept at arms length from The Child Smile Network and any of its partners or members.

The Child Smile Network Canadian Children’s Fund is governed by a group of trustees consisting of both active Child Smile Network members and owners of Network Partner businesses which form the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees are unpaid and meet on a regular basis to determine how to best distribute the funds raised to worthy children’s and family charitable programs across the country. To learn more about the Child Smile Canadian Children’s Fund and its mission, please visit our website at www.ChildSmile.com.



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