Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers about our model, initiatives, and memberships.

As a GROUP member, what are my benefits?

"GROUP members have all the Benefits of INDIVIDUAL members and they are also eligible to receive FORBYTO Community Group Benefits. FORBYTO has allocated Benefits for different types of services (e.g. domestic violence, homelessness) as well as for community groups, such as local clubs. These Benefits can be directed by the GROUP to their preferred expenses or projects.

Every week, 100s of GROUP members will receive Benefits ranging from $1000-$10000. FORBYTO may deliver these using eDebit cards, or FORBYTO may pay for GROUP invoices out of the GROUP Benefit. The direct invoice payment arrangement will make it easier to monitor and account for where the money has gone."

As an INDIVIDUAL member, what are my benefits?

All INDIVIDUAL members can join our Cashback program (save on shopping) are they eligible to receive FORBYTO Cost of Living Benefits. These Benefits are to cover food and fuel costs, vouchers for local businesses and assistance with paying billls and mortgages. Every week, 100s of members will receive Benefits ranging from $100-$10000, delivered as eDebit cards. Larger amounts may be provided to members in instalments, to temper the temptation for “sugar hit” spending.

Can I choose a different/new PURPOSE?

Yes. FORBYTO is here for its members. If a member has a special interest PURPOSE that needs support, or even a favourite local venue or business, the member can nominate this as a new PURPOSE. FORBYTO will run a limited campaign (e.g. for 60 days) to highlight the new PURPOSE and invite members to support it. It is also up to the suggesting member to gather support via their networks. A minimum membership threshold is set in order to activate the new PURPOSE and start the flow of benefits. Please email memberservices@forbyto.org for further details.

Can organisations, clubs or businesses join?

Yes. FORBYTO dedicates 30% of the FOUNDATION funds to groups that are active in the community space. They can be social service providers (e.g. for homeless, women, youth), local clubs (e.g. sports, social) and businesses (e.g. local cafes, SMEs). We offer to give exposure to member businesses through the FORBYTO marketplace, where businesses can offer Cashbacks to FORBYTO members. We also promote local member businesses through emails to members in their local area.

How are my FORBYTO membership fees used?

The FORBYTO membership fees are the engine of our FORBYTO "People's Economy", which funds the model of 30% Member Cost of Living benefits, 30% Community Group benefits, 30% FORBYTO Initiatives (with 10% to cover operational costs).

What are PURPOSE memberships?

"Members use PURPOSE memberships to further contribute to causes that resonate with them - e.g. a favourite sport, youth programs, environment, regional support. These additional memberships enable FORBYTO to directly support the specific PURPOSE through the funding of projects and programs. Where will you make your impact?

In recognition, FORBYTO distributes benefits (up to $100,000) to PURPOSE members weekly. Be rewarded for doing good!"

What are the thresholds for?

FORBYTO aims to create significant social impact. We do not start distributing benefits or collecting membership fees until our target number (or threshold) of members has registered for FOUNDATION or a specific PURPOSE. This ensures that FORBYTO can distribute significant benefits from the day that the threshold is reached.

How does FORBYTO ensure that Benefits are distributed fairly?

FORBYTO has adopted 2 significant measures to ensure fairness.

First, it has developed a sophisticated algorithm to ensure that all registered memberships (regardless of their join date) have an equal opportunity to receive benefits every week. (Members who have multiple memberships will obviously have a greater opportunity.)

Second, the FORBYTO algorithm mechanism resides on a separate platform from the membership database. When processing benefits, it gets a list of memberships that are identified by a number only with no other details, preventing any potential for bias.

How can we be sure that profits will not be redirected to other activities?

FORBYTO is set up as a Company Limited by Guarantee. It’s governing constitution states that no profits can be taken out of the company. FORBYTO shareholders receive a small limited licence fee which comes out of the 10% allocated to operational costs (after 30% to members, 30% to groups, and 30% to FORBYTO initiatives). Thus the MoneyGOround model—the money circulates.

How does FORBYTO deliver its projects?

FORBYTO is primarily a funding vehicle. There are already organisations, businesses, and solutions that are well-placed to deliver our projects and achieve the social outcomes that we aim for. FORBYTO constantly researches potential collaborators, performs due diligence, and engages with suitable candidates to partner with on delivering outcomes. This is a huge bonus for our local businesses as we channel our significant program of works through to delivery.

How does FORBYTO profit-share with members?

FORBYTO provides benefits to members via VISA cards.

How is FORBYTO self-funded?

"FORBYTO’s funding model is based on the donations that are collected. The membership threshold is pivotal to this—donations are not charged and benefits are not distributed until the threshold is reached. In addition, all FORBYTO projects and business initiatives are designed as profit-making enterprises, reducing funding risk, contributing more profits to the MoneyGOround and protecting the integrity of the self-funded model.

Only capped profit margins are sought, to ensure that costs are covered while keeping the cost to consumers as low as possible. For example, FORBYTO plans to establish community activity centres which may charge a fee for entry to non-members. With a capped-profit profile, entry prices can be significantly lower than other centres."

Who are the FORBYTO shareholders?

FORBYTO was founded by Earle Atherinos. Over several years, he discussed his ideas for FORBYTO with different people. Some of those who felt that these ideas resonated with their values decided to get involved by contributing their energy, networks, money, and services. We are a collection of everyday people from different backgrounds who wish to make a positive impact on our society and beyond!

What are FORBYTO Initiatives?

FORBYTO will fund initiatives to enhance services to society, promote innovation and commercialisation, generate positivity and enthusiasm, create jobs and generate revenue for supporting businesses. For example, FORBYTO plans to establish community activity centres which may be set up in underutilised carparks or even shopping centres, with activities designed for all ages. Another example is the funding of after-school programs including installing supporting equipment and providing trainers to guide activities, which may start with activities for children and progress into adult programs later in the day.

What is FORBYTO planning to do for REGIONAL communities?

We are witnessing daily the struggles to maintain smaller regional towns. Population is drawn to the larger centres for work and because sufficient housing is lacking for (farm) downsizers, agriculture is being exposed to more challenges due to climate change, and rising costs of supplying products and materials are exacerbated in remote and regional areas. While FORBYTO can’t promise to save towns, we commit to contributing what we can to a town’s ability to maintain its services and vibrancy. We’ve even established a MyTown membership where local residents can contribute and all funds (after 10% FORBYTO costs) are recirculated within the specific town, creating a local micro-economy.

What is FORBYTO planning to do in ENVIRONMENT?

FORBYTO will fund various projects (e.g. plantings, community battery installation) and developments (e.g. new inventions) that have merit or show promise on the environmental front. FORBYTO shareholders have background in research and development and they have well-credentialed environmentalists and scientists to call on for advice, within their networks. FORBYTO will assess submissions, perform due diligence and fund worthwhile projects.

What is FORBYTO planning to do in HOUSING?

FORBYTO has a focus on quick-build construction, with high environmental rating, and it has already established relationships with related construction specialists and material suppliers. These methods enable rapid construction with the need for very few tradies, resulting in houses delivered in weeks. This obviously makes the houses available much sooner and cheaper. As FORBYTO only seeks capped profit on these projects, the cost to the purchaser is even cheaper. FORBYTO may also acquire its own land to build on and make houses available to the public through a land-lease model, reducing the cost of ownership even further.

What is FORBYTO planning to do in SPORTS?

"FORBYTO has a significant focus on sports. Apart from the fact that some of our shareholders have a sports background, we recognise that sports and physical activity are vital for healthy people and healthy communities. We intend to make a significant difference to sporting clubs across the country and we plan to establish many new neighbourhood facilities for general (not sport-specific) activities for the whole community. For example, once we reach our member threshold for SPORTS, our member sports clubs will share 100 weekly Benefits of $10,000 each, which will enable valuable investment where the club most needs it. We also intend to establish activity arenas at schools and employ trainers to run after-school programs, followed by more general commuity activity programs. We will also have programs for specific sports including a skill development app, club sponsorships and other supports.