The Big Issue's new way to sell: All your questions answered

Who can be a Big Issue Community Partner? 

It is open to any organisation that makes a positive difference in its community, or community improvement campaign, in an area where there are no Big Issue vendors selling the magazine.

How do I get magazines?

The Big Issue Community Partnership team will post magazines to you each week. We will discuss with you in advance how many copies you expect to be able to sell. 

What happens with the money? 

For every copy sold by a Community Partner both they and The Big Issue will receive an equal share of the profits.

What can we use our money for?

Anything that helps out your community – it could be ongoing (like a foodbank or community facility) or a one-off project (like building a playground or saving a local pool).

There is a vendor in our town one or two days a week – can we still sell?

Our Big Issue outreach teams will discuss on a case-by-case basis with you and any vendors in the area what sales prospects are. We will always make sure that vendors are never losing out on sales.

How do I sign up?

Contact us to ask more questions and discuss whether Community Selling will work for you:

• community@bigissue.com

• 0141 352 7280

• Community Selling, The Big Issue, 43 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 1HW

What happens next?

We will send you an information pack to get you started. Your starter pack will include:

• A stand to display your magazines

• Posters and leaflets to explain what Community Selling is and why you’re a partner

• Ideas for how to spread the word to let people in your community know you are a Big Issue Community Selling Partner and what you are raising money for, for example using social media and contacting local press.

Then you are all set to start selling The Big Issue and raise funds for your community!