Frequently Asked Questions
Sweet Crew FAQ
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Joining is simple — just fill out our Volunteer Baker form so we can get to know you, your style, and your availability. Once you're in our Sweet Crew network, we’ll reach out with cake requests in your area. Every cake you bake brings joy, hope, and celebration to someone who truly needs it. Thank you for sharing your talent to make life a little sweeter for others.n text goes here
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We donate custom cakes to people who deserve to be celebrated or supported — including those going through illness, financial hardship, loss, major life events, or any moment where a little extra compassion is needed. Our mission is simple: to make sure everyone gets to experience the joy of a custom cake, regardless of their circumstances.
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We always try to notify bakers as far in advance as possible. Some requests come in months ahead, while others may be closer to the celebration date. You’ll always have the freedom to accept or decline based on your schedule — no pressure, no judgment.
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Absolutely. Life gets busy! If you’re unable to take on a request, just let us know right away so we can match another baker. There’s never any obligation to say yes — your willingness to donate your time and talent is already a gift.
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We match bakers based on location, availability, design fit, and the number of cakes they’ve already donated. Our goal is to distribute opportunities fairly while fulfilling as many requests as possible. You may be contacted often or only occasionally depending on your area and local demand.
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Please reply within 48 hours so we can confirm details with the recipient or find another baker if needed. Quick responses help us stay organized and ensure no celebration slips through the cracks.
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Yes — We Bake a Change carries liability insurance to protect our volunteer bakers. This coverage helps ensure our Sweet Crew can bake with confidence and peace of mind.
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No. Most states allow cake donations under cottage food laws, meaning you can bake from home.
If you are not licensed, simply note in your communication that the cake was made in a home kitchen and donated through We Bake a Change. Regardless of your kitchen type, we always encourage safe, clean, and professional baking practices. -
Most requests are for cakes that serve approximately 20–30 people, though this can vary. If a request feels larger than what you’re comfortable donating, please let us know. We can adjust expectations, split the work, or match the request with another baker. Small design tweaks or simple decorative tiers are always welcome if you’d like to make a bigger visual impact without adding extra servings. Ultimately, the creative freedom is yours—the baker has full control over the design and final creation.
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Recipients share a theme of there occasion and from there, the creative freedom is yours. We encourage bakers to interpret the inspiration in their own style — each donated cake is meant to celebrate both the recipient’s moment and your artistry.
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Delivery isn’t required, though it’s always appreciated. If you prefer pickup, we’ll coordinate an easy and convenient process with the recipient. Many bakers choose to deliver because seeing the recipient’s joy can be incredibly meaningful — but we understand if that isn’t possible for you.
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Life happens. If something changes, just let us know as soon as possible so we can find another baker. If you know a local baker or friend who might step in, feel free to recommend them — teamwork truly makes all the difference.
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Yes! Many bakers love adding cupcakes, chocolate-covered treats, or extras. These are always appreciated but never required. Please communicate this with our team so we can pass it along to the recipient.
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Of course — we encourage it! Posting your donated cakes helps spread awareness about our mission. Just tag @WeBakeAChange so we can share your work and celebrate your contribution.
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We’ll follow up to hear how everything went and gather photos if you want to share them. Your experience helps us grow and improve — and your cake may even inspire future Sweet Crew bakers.
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Yes! We Bake a Change is a registered nonprofit organization, so the cost of your donated cake and supplies may be tax-deductible. We recommend keeping receipts for your ingredients and materials, and consulting with your tax professional for specific guidance based on your state’s regulations.
REQUESTING A CAKE FAQ
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Anyone who deserves recognition, encouragement, or care — whether they’re going through a tough season, serving their community, or simply need a reminder that they matter. This includes individuals and families facing illness, financial hardship, loss, or any personal challenge. If life feels heavy and you could use a moment of celebration, we’d be honored to bake for you.
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You’re welcome to share your theme and color palette when submitting your request. While our bakers can’t replicate exact designs, they’ll use your ideas as inspiration to create a meaningful, one-of-a-kind cake. Each cake reflects the baker’s artistic style, creativity, and the theme you choose. Please remember — every cake is a heartfelt gift made with care by a volunteer donating their time and talent.
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Most donated cakes serve around 20–25 people and are typically one 8-inch cake. If you need something larger, let us know — we’ll do our best to accommodate, but final approval depends on the baker’s availability and capacity.
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The earlier, the better.
Requests submitted at least 2–3 months in advance have the highest chance of being matched.
We cannot accept requests within two weeks of the event date.
Some families reach out months — even a year — ahead, and that’s totally okay. -
We’ll always try.
Please share any allergies or dietary needs (and their severity) in your request. We’ll match you with a baker who can accommodate them if available.
Because cakes are made in individual home or professional kitchens, you assume full responsibility for safe consumption once the cake is accepted. -
Your cake will be created by a member of our Sweet Crew — volunteer bakers across the country who generously donate their ingredients, time, and artistry. We’ll match you with the closest available baker in your area.
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It’s for everyone.
Children, teens, adults, seniors — anyone who deserves to be celebrated. Whether it’s a child’s birthday, an adult milestone, or a meaningful moment in between, we believe celebration is for all ages. -
No. Your custom cake is completely free, donated with love by a volunteer baker.
If you’d like to give back, you’re welcome (but never required) to donate to We Bake a Change so we can reach more families. -
All communication happens through email so nothing gets lost.
We kindly ask you not to call or text the baker directly — keeping everything in one place helps us support you and the baker throughout the process. -
Delivery depends on the volunteer baker.
Some bakers offer delivery; others require pickup.
If delivery isn’t available, we’ll ensure pickup details are simple and convenient. Remember — every baker is volunteering their time, so a little flexibility goes a long way. -
Licensing varies by state. Some bakers are professionally licensed; others bake legally under cottage food laws (allowed home-based baking).
If you prefer a licensed baker only, please note it in your request — it may limit availability, but we’ll try our best to honor it. -
Every cake is made with genuine care — but styles, skill levels, and methods vary.
We can’t guarantee a specific design outcome, but we can guarantee that your cake will be made with heart, intention, and effort.
We welcome your feedback afterward; it helps us grow and strengthen our Sweet Crew community. -
Absolutely.
You can nominate a friend, family member, coworker, neighbor, or anyone going through a tough moment or someone who deserves to be celebrated for the impact they make. -
Life happens — just let us know as soon as possible so we can update your matched baker or reassign the request.
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Yes!
If circumstances change or another moment arises where a cake would make an impact, you’re welcome to submit another request. -
Most of our volunteers specialize in cakes, but some may offer cupcakes or other baked goods. You can mention this preference in your request, though availability varies.
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We’re growing fast.
If we can’t match you at this time, we’ll notify you — and you’re welcome to reapply as we expand the Sweet Crew in new cities.
Supporters & donors faq
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There are so many ways to get involved. You can donate, sponsor a cake, partner with us, purchase merchandise, or help share our mission with others. Every contribution — big or small — helps us reach more families who need a moment of joy.
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Your donation goes directly toward helping us deliver more cakes and support more families. Contributions help cover ingredients, supplies, packaging, pickup and delivery needs, operational costs, and the growth of our Sweet Crew of volunteer bakers. Every dollar helps create real moments of happiness for people who need it.
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Yes! We offer sponsorship opportunities where donors can support a particular celebration or individual request. If you’re interested, let us know on our Support page and we’ll share upcoming opportunities you can contribute to directly.
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Absolutely. We welcome collaborations with businesses, organizations, schools, clubs, bakeries, brands, and community leaders. Whether you’d like to donate supplies, offer funding, host an event, or support us in another creative way, we’d love to explore it with you.
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Yes. We Bake a Change is a registered nonprofit organization. All monetary donations and approved material contributions are tax-deductible. You’ll receive a receipt for your records.
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Sponsorships help cover the cost of ingredients, tools, supplies, and other needs that allow bakers to freely donate their time and talent. Sponsors may be recognized on our website or social platforms (if desired) and sometimes get to learn the story behind the cake they supported.
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Yes — recurring donations help us plan ahead and support families consistently throughout the year. Even a small monthly contribution has a big impact over time.
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We share updates, stories, and photos on our website and social media to show the real moments your support makes possible. You’ll also receive occasional email updates to see how your generosity is helping us grow.
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You can still make a huge impact by sharing our mission, following our social platforms, nominating deserving families, or encouraging bakers to join the Sweet Crew. Spreading awareness is one of the most powerful contributions.
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We’re always open to creative ways to give back. If you have a unique idea, collaboration, or contribution in mind, reach out — we’d love to hear it.