Question 1

Does it cost anything?

Accepted Answer

No. SupportNear is free for the person using it and free for the organisation appearing on it. There is nothing to pay, nothing to unlock, and no premium version.

Question 2

Do I have to give my name, email or phone number?

Accepted Answer

Never. There is no account and no form. The map opens straight away. We do not know who you are and we have designed it so that we cannot find out.

Question 3

Is my location sent somewhere?

Accepted Answer

Your exact position stays in your phone. To find places around you we send only an approximate search area to the public OpenStreetMap servers — the same request any map app makes. Nothing is stored, and nothing is linked to you.

Question 4

Where does the information come from?

Accepted Answer

From OpenStreetMap, the open map of the world. It is maintained by volunteers, councils, charities and humanitarian teams. That is why coverage is excellent in some cities and thin in others — and why anyone, including you, can add a missing place in a few minutes.

Question 5

A place on the map was closed or gone. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

Tell OpenStreetMap — there is a link on every entry. Your correction reaches every other app built on the same data, not just this one. If you cannot do it, write to us and we will.

Question 6

I work at a shelter / food bank / clinic. How do we get listed?

Accepted Answer

You are probably already there. If not, write to partners@supportnear.com and we will map your service with you, at no cost, and show you how to keep it up to date yourselves.

Question 7

Does it work without internet?

Accepted Answer

You need a connection to load new places, but the last results you saw stay available if you lose signal. Screenshot the address of where you are going before you set off.

Question 8

Who is behind this and how is it paid for?

Accepted Answer

SupportNear is run as a non-profit project. It is deliberately cheap to operate — no servers full of personal data, no advertising, no sales team. It is funded by public grants, foundations and private donations, and it will never be funded by selling data about the people who use it.