Why UnGig Needs Community Support

UnGig is completely free for gig workers. No paywalls, no premium features, no hidden costs. Just real help for people seeking better careers.

But running a platform isn't free. Right now, every dollar comes out of pocket while building this community alongside working to support myself.

This post explains our costs and how you can help - if you're able.

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What UnGig Provides (All Free)

• Career transition resources - Exit strategies, resume help, interview prep
• Job opportunities - Real openings from real employers
• English learning - Practical workplace phrases in 16 languages
• Community support - Safe space to ask questions and get help
• Multilingual platform - Automatic translation in 16 languages
• No ads, no data selling - Your privacy matters

Everything stays free. Always.

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The Reality of Running UnGig

Monthly operational costs:

• Server hosting (OVH VPS): $15/month
• Translation service (GTranslate): $15/month
• Forum platform (Waterhole): ~$25/month
• Domain and SSL: ~$1/month

Total: ~$56/month to keep the lights on

That doesn't include:

• Time creating content and resources
• Building employer partnerships
• Moderating the community
• Developing new features
• Researching job opportunities

Right now, all of that is volunteer work while managing personal finances and debt.

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Our Commitment to You

What will ALWAYS be free:

• Access to the entire community
• All job opportunities and resources
• English learning materials
• Career guidance and support
• Posting and commenting
• Everything that matters

What we'll NEVER do:

• Sell your data
• Put opportunities behind a paywall
• Charge gig workers for help
• Show ads that compromise your experience
• Share your information with anyone

This platform exists to help you, not profit from your struggle.

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How You Can Support

If You Can Donate Money

Every contribution helps keep UnGig running and growing. There's no minimum, no tiers, no expectations.

$5 helps. $10 helps. $25 helps. Whatever you can spare helps.

One-time or monthly - whatever works for your situation.

[Donate Button - Stripe/PayPal]

Important: If you're currently struggling financially as a gig worker, please don't donate. Use that money for yourself and your family. Your participation in the community is contribution enough.

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If You Can't Donate Money

Your time and expertise are just as valuable:

• Share job opportunities you find in your network
• Refer gig workers who need help transitioning
• Volunteer as a mentor in your professional field
• Review resumes for community members
• Translate content into your native language
• Answer questions in your area of expertise
• Share success stories to inspire others
• Spread the word about UnGig on social media
• Connect us with employers looking to hire

These contributions matter just as much as money.

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For Employers & Organizations

If your company values:

• Hardworking, motivated employees
• Supporting immigrant communities
• Giving people second chances
• Practical skills over perfect resumes

We can help you find incredible candidates.

Partnership opportunities:

• Job posting partnerships
• Skills training sponsorships
• Corporate matching programs
• Recruitment partnerships

Contact: info@ungig.org

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Transparency & Trust

How donations are used:

• Priority 1: Keep the platform running (hosting, domain, essential services)
• Priority 2: Improve resources (better content, more languages, enhanced features)
• Priority 3: Grow the team (hire moderators from the community, professional services)

We'll share updates on:

• Major platform improvements
• New features and resources
• Community milestones

We won't share:

• Individual donation amounts (your privacy matters)
• Specific financial metrics (creates unhealthy pressure)
• Donor names (unless you explicitly want recognition)

Trust is earned through actions, not reports.

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About Nonprofit Status

Current structure: UnGig is operated by Laval LLC (for-profit entity)

Why not nonprofit yet?

• 501(c)(3) setup costs $1,500-3,000
• Takes 6-18 months for IRS approval
• Requires ongoing compliance and reporting
• We're focusing resources on helping people NOW

Future plan: As the community grows and stabilizes, we'll explore nonprofit status to enable:

• Tax-deductible donations
• Grant funding opportunities
• Greater transparency requirements
• Community board governance

For now: We're keeping it simple and focusing on impact over structure.

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The Bigger Picture

This isn't about keeping a website online.

This is about:

• Engineers from Uzbekistan getting back into tech
• Accountants from India finding office jobs with benefits
• Teachers from Venezuela rebuilding their careers
• Tradespeople escaping the 80-hour grind
• Parents finally having time for their families

Every dollar donated isn't funding a platform - it's investing in people's futures.

When UnGig helps someone transition from Uber to a stable career, they're not just getting a better job. They're getting:

• Health insurance for their family
• Time to actually live their life
• Retirement benefits
• Professional growth
• Dignity and stability

That's what your support enables.

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Questions?

"Should I donate if I'm still driving/delivering?"
Only if you're comfortable. Your financial stability comes first.

"Can I donate anonymously?"
Yes! We respect your privacy completely.

"Will you pressure people to donate?"
Never. This community is free, regardless of your ability to contribute financially.

"How do I know the money is used properly?"
Trust is built through consistent actions. Watch how the platform grows and improves.

"Can I stop monthly donations anytime?"
Absolutely. No commitments, no questions asked.

"What if I can only donate $1?"
$1 from 100 people is $100. Every contribution matters.

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Thank You

To everyone who:

• Donates money
• Donates time
• Shares opportunities
• Supports community members
• Believes in this mission

You're not just supporting a platform. You're changing lives.

Some of those lives you'll see in success stories. Most you won't. But they're real. They're happening. And they wouldn't be possible without this community.

Thank you for being part of something bigger than any of us alone.

— Maxim & The UnGig Community

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Have questions or want to discuss other ways to support?
Reply below or email info@ungig.org

Updated: November 2025