So much more than your run-of-the-mill coffee shop, the non-profit organisation Vintage Coffee – run by husband-and-wife team Kevin and Rebeca Clark – opened its doors to the public on 23 July 2014.

How does it work?

Vintage Coffee’s profit goes to one of three registered non-profit organisations (NPOs) every month. When buying a coffee (a robust roast of blended Brazilian and Tanzanian beans), customers are handed a vintage two-cent coin, which they drop into the NPO box of their choosing. Tokens are tallied at the end of the month and the organisation with the most votes receives the profits.

Known as the ‘Green Beans’, all staff at Vintage Coffee work on a volunteer basis. “Everyone from the baristas to PR and marketing, we’re all volunteers,” says Kelsey, the team’s representative.

The interior at Vintage Coffee. Photo courtesy of Nadine Uys.

The tale behind Vintage Coffee

It’s the heart behind Vintage Coffee that makes it such an interesting concept. Having spent time in the United States together, Johannesburg local Kevin and his Brazilian wife Rebeca returned to South Africa and were struck afresh by the dramatic gap between the country’s privileged and underprivileged. They then embarked on a mission to make a difference in Centurion – one cup of coffee at a time.

“Having run a coffee shop in Brazil, Rebeca used her knowledge of coffee and love for the community to open Vintage Coffee,” explains Kelsey.

What’s on the menu?

Coffee is served as an espresso, americano, latte, cappuccino and a creamy cold brew. Also on offer are assorted teas, cold drinks (including a guarana boost) and a small selection of pastries, sandwiches, cupcakes and muffins.

Coffee at Vintage Coffee. Photo courtesy of Nadine Uys.

The future of Vintage Coffee

While it’s still early days, Vintage Coffee opened to a warm reception and has awarded its August profits to community-orientated charity, Botshabelo.

“We would love to see other businesses adopt a similar way of doing things,” enthuses the couple. “We want to instil a sense of hope throughout our city and support as many NPOs as we can.”

Vintage Coffee is the first coffee shop of this model to open, but former MasterChef contestant Leandri van der Watt is also using coffee for good. The Roast Re:public sells coffee in a monthly debit order system, with 50% of the gross profit allocated to a small community in Limpopo, which has partnered with a children’s education fund. (Find out more.)