AmazonSmile, their popular charity donation program that was in place since 2013, will be shutting down in 2018. Under AmazonSmile, shoppers can donate 0.5 percent of their eligible purchases to any charity of their choosing.
According to the company, their program has raised more than $400 million for charities. Many local organizations rely on these donations, including Eau Claire County Humane Association.
1. Log in with your Amazon account
Logging in with Amazon is a secure and convenient way to access your favorite sites and applications. You can log in using either your email address and password or by providing your phone number.
Access your account and purchase items with just a few clicks, saving you from having to register or remember a password for each website or app you visit.
You can access this feature from any device, including smartphones and tablets. It works with all major browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari.
Logging into your Amazon account gives you access to account settings and the tracking of donations made through the smile feature. Furthermore, you have the option of designating a charitable organization to receive donations from future eligible AmazonSmile purchases!
Once signed in, the smile feature should appear at the top of your account page. If not, check your settings to make sure the smile option is enabled for display.
If you need to change your email address, click the Edit button next to it and enter the new one. At the bottom of the form, click Resend OTP for additional security by clicking Resend OTP.
Alternatively, you can create an Amazon account by clicking the Create Your Account button at the bottom of the sign-in screen. This will send a confirmation email to the address entered with an OTP that is valid for 10 minutes and allows you to log in under your new account.
Once the OTP is valid, click the Continue button to complete registration. You will then be taken to a web form where you can fill in any remaining information as requested.
At this point, you have a new Amazon account which gives you access to shopping on the site and other features such as Prime membership. If you do not currently have one, register for a free trial or purchase a subscription to the service.
2. Go to smile.amazon.com
Amazon Smile has become a widely used way for shoppers to support charities. Through the program, shoppers make purchases on the online retailer and receive 0.5% donations towards their chosen charity.
Though the donation amount may be small, it can add up over time. For some larger nonprofits, this can be an effective method of raising money for their cause.
However, some consumers and nonprofits are angry about Amazon’s decision to discontinue the service. Many of them contend that it was an important way for them to support their favorite causes, while others claim they had no idea it would be discontinued.
Thankfully, there are still ways you can continue contributing to your favorite organizations even after AmazonSmile has gone away. You can continue donating via your existing wish list on Amazon or find other charities endorsed by Amazon that accept donations.
Amazon Prime is an excellent option, giving you many perks at a discounted rate. Signing up is free and with this program, you can support some of your favorite charities too.
Once registered, you can choose your charitable organization (North Suburban Emergency Assistance Response Inc. or NEAR) and set up an account to receive AmazonSmile donations. It’s simple but make sure your 501(c)(3) is in good standing with the IRS before starting to receive donations through AmazonSmile.
Some items are ineligible for AmazonSmile donations, such as products with a “Returns” sticker or Subscribe-and-Save purchases. You can determine which items qualify by checking the product description; it will indicate if it qualifies.
If you already have an Amazon account, it’s easy to sign-in for both services with the same sign-in. Just be sure to double check that any donations are being sent to your designated charity each time you shop on AmazonSmile.
To maximize Amazon Smile’s impact in your community, you’ll need to spread awareness. Try posting a tweet with a link to your Amazon Smile page, sending an email newsletter or creating social media posts about it.
3. Select New Eagle Elementary School PTO as your charitable organization
The New Eagle Elementary School PTO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the educational and social experiences of all NEES students. Whether you’re an involved parent or proud grandparent, there’s a role for everyone. At the school, there is an exciting range of activities and events to enjoy – from scavenger hunts to field trips and everything in-between! A great starting point for planning is the PTO website which has an extensive listing of upcoming school functions and volunteer opportunities. The primary mission of the PTO is to enhance NEES students and families’ quality of life by connecting them with their peers, teachers, and administrators. While we have some high-tech solutions at our disposal, most of our best ideas come from within – that’s what drives us forward every day!
4. Shop as usual
Amazon Smile allows you to shop as usual with your usual Amazon account, but Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price (less any rebates) to a charitable organization of your choice. The charity will be displayed in your shopping cart and you have complete control over it at any time.
AmazonSmile features nearly one million 501(c)(3) public charities, such as your favorite organizations like World Wildlife Fund and ASPCA. You can search for a charity by location or name.
Once you’ve chosen a charity, remember to visit Amazon Smile every time you make a purchase in order for it to count. The website and app will display your chosen cause in the top left corner as you browse, as well as on your order summary page after making a purchase.
AmazonSmile is available on desktop computers, laptops and tablets as well as mobile devices running iOS or Android. To activate it, tap “AmazonSmile” in Programs & Features menu or Settings and follow on-screen instructions.
Amazon Prime members have the option to donate up to 5% of your purchase to a charitable organization of your choice. Alternatively, you may opt for automatic selection of the chosen charity.
Amazon’s Smile feature is free and can be found in your account details when logged in. Simply click it, and a message will appear confirming that you have just signed up to support your favorite charity.
When you purchase eligible products through AmazonSmile Foundation, 0.5% of the purchase price (excluding any rebates, shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes or service charges) will be donated. Certain items are exempt from donation – such as recurring subscription purchases and renewals and certain items in certain categories.
Even though the donation amount may seem small, it adds up over time and requires minimal setup.
You can set a reminder in your calendar to automatically remind you to renew your charity selection every six months, saving you the hassle of having to select a new organization each time.
