Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about Upstream? You're in the right place. Find out how it works, how to get involved and how everyday business creates impact for young people across Aotearoa.
What is Upstream?
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Upstream helps organisations create social impact through money they’re already spending. We connect businesses with quality suppliers who give back to charities supporting children and young people.
How does Upstream work?
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When you purchase from an Upstream supplier, they contribute an agreed percentage of that sale, and often future sales from the same customer. We call this an Upstream Contribution, which helps fund charities supporting children and young people in our communities.
Does using Upstream cost us more? If we use a supplier as a customer?
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No. There’s no additional cost to your purchase. Like most businesses, our suppliers already invest in finding new customers through sales and marketing. Upstream simply inspires them to redirect some of that investment into creating impact in the community. We call this a Win-Win …
Do we need to change all our suppliers?
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The more spend directed through Upstream suppliers, the more impact we can create. But we understand that sometimes you’ll have strong existing supplier relationships that you want to keep — and we’re not here to break those up. Instead, we look for practical opportunities to introduce great-fit suppliers where it makes sense, whether that’s one purchase, one supplier or one area of spend.
What can we purchase through Upstream?
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Our supplier community covers a wide range of everyday business needs, from trades and construction to technology, professional services, fuel, apparel and more. If we don’t currently have the right option, it still helps us understand your needs and identify other opportunities where your spend could do good.
Where does the money go?
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Funding generated through Upstream supports charities working to improve the wellbeing of children and young people (predominately 5-18 year olds). Our software helps us identify where transactions are taking place, allowing us to allocate funding to that region and partner with local charities doing great work there. Funding is then typically distributed to our charity partners each quarter.
Can we measure the impact we create?
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Yes. Accountability and insight are very valuable to us. We’re building a Member Portal where organisations can log in and see the impact generated through their procurement, including real numbers and stories they can share with their team, customers and stakeholders.
Upstream Partners receive additional reporting, tools, branding and support to help them measure and communicate their impact.
Are Upstream suppliers more expensive?
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No. You’re not paying a premium to create impact. Upstream suppliers still need to be competitive and deliver great service. Their contribution often reflects what they might otherwise spend acquiring new customers; redirecting that investment to make a difference in the community.
Can Upstream help with sustainability and broader outcomes?
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Yes. Upstream helps organisations achieve measurable social procurement outcomes. We’ve also built our own sustainability reporting software to capture data, stories and broader impact across the supply chain. Upstream Commercial Suppliers and Partners can access this software as an added benefit.
How do we get started?
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A great place to start is with an Impact Review. We’ll look at where your organisation is already spending money, suggest Upstream Suppliers that could be a great fit, and show you the potential social impact your existing spend could create. Feel free to get in touch for an Impact Review of your organisation.