AmazonSmile
By Celeste McNeil
The smile logo on your Amazon package is more than a cute symbol; it’s a reminder to help the local community while shopping online. The AmazonSmile program donates 0.5% of all eligible purchases to a charity of choice when the shopper links their Amazon account to the AmazonSmile program. With more than one million public charitable organizations participating with AmazonSmile, online shoppers can make a difference around the country, or, better yet, closer to home.
Many local nonprofit organizations are grateful for the quarterly donation they receive from Amazon. Debbi Haynie, the executive director of Castle Rock Senior Activity Center said, “This is more critical than ever for us.” The Center’s largest fundraiser of the year has been cancelled. Providing a wide range of activities and services, from transportation to social events for more than 1,000 people ages 50 and older, fundraising is an essential arm of the organization’s operation.
Donations to local charities from AmazonSmile often land in the general operating fund, helping the community in a variety of ways. Douglas Land Conservancy directly uses the funds for conservation of open space and education programs. Douglas Land Conservancy holds the conservation easement on many well-used trails in Douglas and Elbert counties, including Dawson Butte, Hidden Mesa and Spruce Mountain.
CALF Lowell Ranch is another property protected by Douglas Land Conservancy and a nonprofit participating in AmazonSmile. Colorado Agriculture Leadership Foundation (CALF) connects all people to agriculture through educational programs, community projects and leadership opportunities. One of the many programs at CALF is a garden. Plant sales begin in the spring with donations of produce throughout the summer and fall. Brooke Fox, CEO at CALF said, this year they donated several hundred pounds of produce in addition to chicken and pork to the Douglas/Elbert County Help & Hope Center food bank (another AmazonSmile nonprofit).
Fox supports the AmazonSmile program, saying, “It’s a nice way for people to direct some money to an organization they like.” Haynie echoed Fox’s sentiment, “It’s a way to give without affecting your pocketbook. It’s a good way to support our community.”
Donations through AmazonSmile are not tax deductible for the shopper, because they are a direct donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation. However, Amazon covers all expenses for the foundation, so the full donation amounts go directly to the charity.
It’s easy to participate. After signing up, remember to shop through Smile.Amazon.com. It’s the same products and prices, just shopping directed toward charitable giving.
Visit smile.amazon.com for more information.
