AmazonSmile was a program that allowed shoppers to support their favorite charitable organizations while making purchases on Amazon at no extra cost. By shopping through smile.amazon.com, Amazon donated 0.5% of eligible purchases to a chosen charity. However, as of February 20, 2023, AmazonSmile was officially discontinued by Amazon as part of a larger shift in its charitable giving strategy.
Despite this, many charitable organizations benefited from the program during its nearly ten-year run. Here’s a recap of how AmazonSmile worked, some popular charities that participated, and alternative ways you can support these charities after the program ended.
Popular Charities That Participated in AmazonSmile
AmazonSmile allowed shoppers to support almost 1 million different charities, ranging from large, well-known nonprofits to smaller, local organizations. Below are some of the most popular charities that benefitted from the program:
1. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Mission: St. Jude focuses on treating and curing childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
- Impact: They provide free medical care to children, and research breakthroughs developed at St. Jude are shared globally.
2. American Red Cross
- Mission: The American Red Cross helps people affected by disasters and provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education.
- Impact: They provide blood services, emergency preparedness training, and disaster relief across the globe.
3. ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
- Mission: The ASPCA works to prevent cruelty to animals through animal rescue, adoption, and advocacy.
- Impact: They offer shelter, medical care, and legal protection for animals in need.
4. The Nature Conservancy
- Mission: The Nature Conservancy works to protect and conserve the environment, preserving natural resources for future generations.
- Impact: Their efforts include land and water conservation, climate change initiatives, and protecting endangered species.
5. Habitat for Humanity
- Mission: Habitat for Humanity helps families build and improve places to call home through affordable housing projects.
- Impact: They provide safe and affordable housing for low-income families and help with disaster recovery.
6. Feeding America
- Mission: Feeding America is a national network of food banks fighting hunger by providing meals to individuals and families in need.
- Impact: They distribute billions of meals to food-insecure individuals across the U.S. each year.
7. World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
- Mission: WWF works to protect wildlife, combat climate change, and preserve ecosystems globally.
- Impact: WWF is involved in conservation efforts for endangered species and sustainable environmental practices.
8. Wounded Warrior Project
- Mission: Wounded Warrior Project supports veterans and service members who incurred physical or mental health injuries during their military service.
- Impact: Their programs help with physical rehabilitation, mental health services, and financial support for veterans and their families.
9. Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Mission: Boys & Girls Clubs provide after-school programs for children, focusing on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character development.
- Impact: Their services give young people a safe place to learn and grow outside of school.
10. Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Mission: Make-A-Wish grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
- Impact: The organization brings joy and hope to children and their families through wish experiences.
AmazonSmile’s Discontinuation
Amazon officially discontinued the AmazonSmile program on February 20, 2023. The company announced that while AmazonSmile had raised over $449 million for charities, the impact was spread too thinly across many organizations to make a meaningful difference. Amazon said it would focus on more targeted charitable programs moving forward, with efforts like Amazon Disaster Relief and global support programs.
Alternative Ways to Support Charities After AmazonSmile
Although AmazonSmile has ended, there are still plenty of ways to support your favorite charitable organizations:
1. Donate Directly
Visit the websites of the charities you want to support and make direct donations. Many charities have recurring giving programs that allow you to make a monthly or annual contribution.
2. Support Charities through Amazon
- Amazon Charity Lists: Many nonprofits still have Amazon Charity Wish Lists, where you can purchase items they need directly through Amazon. Items are sent directly to the charity.
- Amazon Gift Cards: Consider purchasing an Amazon gift card and donating it to a charity that can use it to buy necessary supplies.
3. Shop on Charity-Based Marketplaces
- iGive: Similar to AmazonSmile, iGive donates a percentage of your online purchases to a charity of your choice when you shop through their platform at participating retailers.
- GiveBack: GiveBack allows you to earn money for charity while shopping online at various retailers and lets you decide where the funds go.
4. Use Round-Up Donation Apps
Several apps allow you to round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to a charity of your choice. Popular apps include:
- RoundUp App: Automatically rounds up your debit and credit card purchases and donates the change to your selected charity.
- ChangeUp: Similar to RoundUp, this app lets you donate the spare change from everyday purchases to the charity of your choice.
5. Volunteer or Fundraise
Consider getting involved in volunteer work or organizing your own fundraisers to support the causes that matter to you. Virtual fundraising platforms like GoFundMe, Facebook Fundraisers, and JustGiving make it easy to raise money for charities.
Conclusion
While AmazonSmile is no longer available, there are still numerous ways to support your favorite charities. Whether through direct donations, charity wish lists on Amazon, or alternative shopping platforms, you can continue making a positive impact and help nonprofits carry out their important work. If you regularly used AmazonSmile, now is a good time to connect directly with the organizations you care about and explore other creative ways to contribute to their missions.