Arkansas Edge unveils program to raise money for Razorback athletes

Arkansas Edge, the name, image, and likeness (NIL) group for the Arkansas Razorbacks, has launched the Spare Change Round Up program, allowing people to round up their purchases to support Razorback student-athletes, according to a Friday (Oct. 18) news release.

Those who enroll can link their debit cards, credit cards or checking accounts to automatically contribute spare change from their purchases to NIL initiatives.

“Fans have expressed a desire for a way to round up purchases to support NIL opportunities, and we’re excited to introduce the Spare Change Round Up program,” said Kyle May, executive director of Arkansas Edge. “This scalable and effortless approach allows fans to participate easily and choose how much they want to contribute without needing individual programs with each merchant and regardless of where they bank or live.”

According to the release, people can enroll “in just minutes” by connecting their card or bank account. After enrolling, all purchases will be rounded up to the nearest dollar with spare change from each totaled weekly. If the total exceeds $10, that amount will be deducted from the enrollee’s selected payment account and sent to Arkansas Edge. If it’s less than $10, it rolls over to the next week. Participants can also multiply their contributions by two to five times, set weekly limits, change accounts and pause the program.

Arkansas-based fundraising platform SmartChange is powering the program.

“As an Arkansas-based company, we’re thrilled to partner with Arkansas Edge to introduce the Spare Change Round Up program for Razorback fans,” said Becky Pittman, co-founder of SmartChange. “Our platform is designed to meet the needs of fundraisers and their supporters, making it easy for fans to make a difference while rounding up their purchases to support NIL opportunities.”

Enrollees will receive benefits, such as discounts on Arkansas Edge merchandise and with partners, invitations to member-only events and giveaways, and a quarterly newsletter. Those who enroll by noon Wednesday (Oct. 23) will have chances to win prizes, such as tickets to the Razorbacks basketball exhibition game against Kansas on Oct. 25 or tickets to Big Red’s for the Razorbacks football game against Ole Miss on Nov. 2.