Helping Charities by Shopping? Not Really

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Right up there with those ubiquitous containers next to store cashiers asking for loose change to "help fight (supply name) disease"!

Dave of NY 4:21PM August 05, 2009

Shopping through the sites iGive.com and OneCause.com (formerly Schoolpop.com) does directly benefit your chosen charity, typically a school. Percentages vary depending on the store/catalog, and there are some vendors who participate through one site but not the other. I am notified when iGive issues a check to our school, but I can't remember whether OneCause does the same. You simply have to remember to log on to your account at the site, select your store, and make your purchase in order for your charity to benefit.

Keith of NJ 2:14PM August 05, 2009

Shopping on online auction sites such as BiddingForGood.com allow the non-profit organization to run their auctions with donated items and all the winning proceeds going directly back to the organization.
More and more brands are starting to realize that the donor items program is a channel for marketing/advertising where there is a true ROI and metrics. Brands are donating items, getting an ROI, consumers are getting hard to find products and a feeling of a "good deed done" and the non-profits are raising more money than through other online shopping venues and corresponding events.

Kaijsa of MA 10:51AM July 21, 2009