When the nonprofit Grassroots Gardens stored extra whiteboards and paint in their warehouse, they assumed they’d just gather dust. But through a new platform called SWAP, those idle supplies found a second life — helping another organization host a youth workshop. "We would never have known that [others] could use these whiteboards that we have sitting in our warehouse, or the paint," one staff member said. That small moment sparked something bigger: a growing network where nonprofits trade what they have to get what they need.
In Howard County, Maryland, seven nonprofits are part of a quiet revolution in how social good gets done. Instead of competing for scraps, they’re sharing resources — from office space to grant-writing help — using a smart, simple platform called SWAP (Sharing With A Purpose). Created by researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, SWAP turns surplus into opportunity. The idea is straightforward: if your group has extra space, tools, or time, you can offer it in exchange for something you lack. No cash changes hands. Instead, the system uses SWAPcredits, a kind of digital currency that makes bartering fair and flexible.
The pilot began in April 2023 with four nonprofits and quickly grew. Over 80 resource exchanges have happened so far, including trades like using a conference room in exchange for help improving a spreadsheet. The platform was shaped by the nonprofits themselves — a process called "community co-design" — so it fits real needs. One group lent tools, another offered staff training, and several shared computing time and office support. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about building trust. "Nonprofit directors report strengthened collaboration, new thought partnerships, and enhanced community ties," the research team found.
What makes SWAP special is its brain: smart algorithms that match needs and offers across the network, even when direct swaps aren’t possible. It’s the first system of its kind to enable multilateral exchanges — meaning three or more groups can trade in a single loop. The goal? Maximize the total good. "We try to find the exchange that has the maximum total surplus," says Andrew Trapp, one of SWAP’s creators. Early results show it works: more than 70 successful trades were documented in just two test groups.
Now, the team is expanding beyond Maryland. What started with four nonprofits in Baltimore has grown into a collaboration of over 30 researchers, designers, and community leaders. As more organizations join, SWAP could become a model for how nonprofits everywhere work together — not as isolated players, but as a connected, resilient network.