How AmazonSmile Works for Shoppers and Charities:-Spending that is socially conscious has been rising for years, but it appears to have reached new heights since the social justice movement gained center stage in 2020. For example, according to “The Social Consumer Spending Index,” compiled by marketing agency GoodMustGrow, social spending will increase by 15% in 2020, indicating that customers are more interested in giving back when they shop.
Amazon, on the other hand, was ahead of the curve in recognizing these tendencies. Amazon Smile, the company’s hallmark program, is one of the most prominent and popular methods to connect socially conscious shoppers.
What Is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a different website from Amazon.com that offers the same products, prices, and advantages as Amazon.com, with one exception.
When you shop on AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5 percent of the price of eligible purchases to the charity of your choosing.
There is no expense to charities or customers, and 100% of the proceeds from qualified purchases go to the customer’s favorite charity. This added benefit is a terrific way for frequent Amazon users to contribute back to organizations without having to think about it.
While AmazonSmile isn’t the only way to donate to charity while shopping, its technological solution appears to be unique in its ease of use.
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How Amazon Smile Works for Consumers
Once you’ve set up AmazonSmile, it’s simple to use. It may, however, be intimidating for novice Amazon users.
How to Set Up Your AmazonSmile Account
Click “Get Started” on the AmazonSmile hub. You’ll be prompted to sign in if you already have an Amazon account. You’ll need to create an Amazon account if you don’t already have one. Setting up a basic Amazon account is completely free.
If you already have an Amazon Prime membership, AmazonSmile will provide you access to all of your Prime advantages. There is a charge to set up an Amazon Prime account if you are not already a member, but there is also a free trial membership.
How Do I Choose My Charity?
You’ll be asked to choose a charity once you’ve signed up for AmazonSmile. You have the option of selecting one from the list or typing in your own. There are almost 1 million 501(c) nonprofits on the list.
Once you’ve done that, a percentage of your purchase price will be donated to the charity of your choice on many, but not all, items. AmazonSmile will remember chosen charity and contribute qualifying purchases toward your total donation on subsequent visits to the site—that it’s simple.
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How Does the Donation Work on AmazonSmile?
Keep in mind that unless your nonprofit or charity has signed up for AmazonSmile, your gifts will be transferred to a different registered cause after eight quarters.
If you’re unsure whether or not your favorite charity is included on Amazon Smile, you can contact them via email or social media before choosing them from the list. On their websites, several nonprofits promote AmazonSmile.
Once you pick that group in your account, Amazon Smile will remind them that they must register in order to receive donations from your eligible purchases.
You can now access AmazonSmile through the Amazon mobile app on your phone or other mobile devices. Simply open the app, search for AmazonSmile in the menu, and follow the on-screen instructions.
What Items Are Eligible for AmazonSmile Donations?
There are millions of things for sale on AmazonSmile. Many people are eligible for a donation, but not all. The AmazonSmile Foundation will give 0.5 percent of the purchase price when you buy an eligible item. Rebates, shipping & handling, gift-wrapping costs, taxes, and service charges are not included in the purchase price.
In other words, the 0.5 percent gift will only apply to the individual cost of the qualified item (after sales and discounts).
Returns do not count against the donation amount, and purchases made through “Subscribe and Save” are likewise ineligible.
Are AmazonSmile Contributions Tax Deductible?
The donations are not tax-deductible because they are made by the AmazonSmile Foundation. To be eligible for charitable tax deductions, you must gift money or property personally.
How Amazon Smile Works for Charities
If you’re a charitable organization or fundraiser considering AmazonSmile, you’ve definitely got a few questions and worries.
To begin, you must be an IRS-approved 501(c) public charity in good standing.
On Amazon’s Org Central page, you may instantly sign up. Provided your account is approved, you will be able to accept gifts from the AmazonSmile Foundation once you have entered your qualifying 501(c) organization name or employer identification number (EIN) and submitted all required information.
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Why Should You Register for AmazonSmile?
If your supporters have already designated you to collect their donations, you should register with AmazonSmile.
Customers can look for your charity on AmazonSmile, and it’s possible that it’s listed but unclaimed. The consumer’s qualifying purchase donation will go into a “communal” fund if the charity has not yet registered. That fund will be donated to other registered charity organizations at the end of eight quarters.
Even after you’ve enlisted in Amazon Smile, you should double-check your organization’s status. Changes in your organization’s tax status or “violations” of the Amazon Smile Participation Agreement may exclude you from participating.
If your bank account or email address changes, you may be dropped. If you are dropped by Amazon, you will be notified.
How Do Charities Receive Donations?
When a client makes an eligible purchase, AmazonSmile deducts the gift amount and deposits it in a fund for that specific charity.
The Amazon Smile Foundation deposits donation amounts by electronic funds transfer every quarter. Approximately 45 days after the preceding quarter ends, or when the amount hits a minimal level, your organization should receive the monies.
Consumer Benefits Explaine
It’s simple and costless: Because most of us shop on Amazon to some extent, it’s simple to include a charitable donation. It’s simple to sign up, choose a charity, and have a little amount of your purchase price donated to them. Aside from the purchase price, the consumer incurs no other costs.
Explained Cons for Consumers
Double-checking is required: You must double-check that you are on the correct AmazonSmile website. While it is simple to purchase and donate on Amazon, you must do so through the Amazon Smile shopping interface for everything to operate properly. Amazon may occasionally remind you to switch to Amazon Smile.
Donations made one at a time: You cannot donate to a charity using AmazonSmile.
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