Public Advisory: Paid Online “Community Service” Being Offered from The Foundation of Change

A public advisory is being issued to individuals ordered to complete community service by courts or probation departments: legal filings and regulatory referrals now allege that an online operation doing business as The Foundation of Change may be selling certificates that falsely claim community service labor was performed — even when no actual service work occurs.

According to complaints, the organization is accused of operating a system where users can obtain pre-signed certificates by simply running an on-screen timer, without performing any bona fide community service work. The filing alleges that users are able to download automated certificates claiming completion of labor despite no meaningful service activity taking place. 

Documents describe an alleged scheme in which users:

• pay fees to “buy hours” of community service,
• start an online timer,
• allow the page to run without doing actual service work,
• and download pre-signed certificates marketed as proof of completed community service. 

The complaint further alleges that these certificates are presented as evidence of community service completion even though they are generated automatically and may not represent real labor, supervision, or work. 

An IRS referral document similarly claims that the operation may be using charitable branding to sell “community service hours” and automated certificates rather than delivering bona fide charitable work. 

Timer-Based “Service” and Pre-Signed Certificates

According to the filings:

• users only need to leave a webpage open while a countdown timer runs,
• no verified physical or charitable labor is required,
• and certificates bearing signatures can be generated automatically. 

The complaint alleges that this process creates the appearance of completed labor when, in reality, no meaningful service has occurred — a claim that has raised serious concerns among legal and probation professionals. 

Serious Legal Risks for Users

Individuals should understand that submitting misleading community service documentation to a court or probation officer can carry serious consequences.

Courts, probation departments, and prosecutors may view the submission of invalid or misleading certificates as fraud or a probation violation. People who rely on unapproved online services could face:

• probation violations
• additional penalties
• or possible jail time if the court determines the hours were not legitimately completed.

Regulatory Concerns Raised

A formal IRS referral requests investigation into whether the organization’s model represents misuse of charity status and private commercial activity. 

The referral alleges:

• sales of certificates instead of charitable programming,
• potential misleading claims about acceptance across jurisdictions,
• and private financial benefit tied to certificate sales. 

Warning to Court-Ordered Individuals

Anyone ordered to complete community service should:

• Confirm approval **directly with their court or probation officer** before paying any online service.
• Avoid assuming an online certificate automatically satisfies court requirements.
• Understand that “verified certificates” may still be rejected by courts if real service is not performed.

A public warning video discussing these concerns can be viewed here:

Community service is intended to be real community labor that benefits nonprofits and the public — not a pay-for-paper transaction. Individuals are urged to protect themselves by verifying any program with court authorities before participating.