Animal Welfare Professionals

 View Only
Expand all | Collapse all

Amazon Smile Ending

  • 1.  Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-28-2023 08:49 AM
    I'm sure many of you have heard amazon smile will be discontinued. This has been a program that really helped our monthly goals for donations. I'm sad to see the program go and I am wondering what if any other similar programs aside from i-give , that are public friendly and easy to use. I often find people get confused when they have to sign up and create and account.
    I'm looking to replace this program but I'm not sure if there is anything available that compares?
    Would be interested to hear all your thoughts!
    #FundraisingandDevelopment

    ------------------------------
    Diane Donahue
    Asst Director
    Animal Manor
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-28-2023 10:40 PM
    I am wondering what will replace this program with Amazon. I believe Walmart is starting a program similar to the smiles program but we're looking into that. The Amazon smiles program was just a non evasive way for people to shop and still give without having to think twice about it. It's really sad to see it go.

    ------------------------------
    Michelle Robinson
    Cause 4Paws Gary,INC
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-08-2023 04:34 AM
    Hi Michelle! 

    If you're still looking for an AmazonSmile alternative, you might want to check out the Doobert Forward Store. It's a new program that Doobert.com launched recently and it works pretty similar to AmazonSmile. You or your community members simply shop every day pet supplies and Doobert will pay 5.0% of your order to the animal rescue YOU choose.

    You can learn more about it at doobert.com/forward.

    ------------------------------
    Micah Dayot
    Support Team
    Doobert.com
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-29-2023 07:58 AM
    This was disappointing on Amazon's part.  I emailed them that I wasn't happy and cancelled my Prime as my own "mini" protest.  It was a nice way for people to contribute.  I will keep an eye on Walmart; would be good if some company picked up something similar.    From all that I read online so many people utilized Smile you think there'd be an opportunity for another business to start their own program.

    ------------------------------
    Toni Naeser
    Volunteer/Board Member
    Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue
    Westfield NY
    http://www.caninerescue.org
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-29-2023 09:35 AM

    For those of you with Kroger Supermarkets in your area, I was able to sign up for Community Rewards with my Kroger loyalty card, where money is  donated to the rescue where I work. I don't remember how I found out about the program, but I posted the information on our community Facebook page and got some other people to sign up as well. It's under "My Account" all the way at the bottom of the menu. I don't know how much money it garners, but it's free to sign up for anyone who shops there! 
    Hope this helps!

    Kirsten



    ------------------------------
    Kirsten Cianci
    Palmetto Animal League
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-29-2023 11:03 AM
    Walmart recently rolles out charity wishlists Chewy wishlist include Chewy gift cards always helpful...be sure to set up a wishlist with Amazon wishlist still offer though Amazon but without the Smile donation...Target also has a form that can be filled out  to recieve a gift card from local store in the community where rescue is located.


    ------------------------------
    Cindy Wilde
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-30-2023 10:56 AM
    For these wish lists, you are just hoping someone sees your list and buys something or does the store contribute?

    ------------------------------
    Sandy Cole
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-30-2023 11:34 AM
    They do not contribute. It's up to you and your Board, Staff, Volunteers, etc to share the list. Add a story to it and that helps donors know where the items are going and how it helps.  We donated almost 5,000 pounds of cat and dog food last year to agencies and organizations with human food distributions. When we tell the public we need pet food, we share that we donate 400 + pounds a month to those in need.

    ------------------------------
    Katie Peachey
    Beesley Animal Foundation
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-30-2023 11:10 AM
    I haven't seen anything about a Walmart charity wishlist. From what I've read on Walmart's website, they only donate to community based initiatives, not animal based charities. The same goes for Target. Would you mind sharing how you've been successful in getting donations from Target? I'd love to try reaching out to them again.

    ------------------------------
    Rebecca Zelanko
    Vice President
    Second Chance Ranch Rescue and Sanctuary
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-07-2023 01:15 PM
    Woof tracs app sign up could help raise fund when walking dogs. Believe sign up thru Best Friends.

    ------------------------------
    Cindy Wilde
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-29-2023 06:09 PM
    Hi Diane!

    I'm not sure if you've heard about the Doobert Forward Store but it works similar to AmazonSmile, only animal rescue organizations earn more from orders.

    Doobert will pay organizations 5.0% on orders, as opposed to Amazon Smile's 0.5%. Doobert carries the same pet food, treats, toys and supplies that your community normally buys at Amazon or Chewy. So, if shoppers spend $100 and choose your organization as the beneficiary, Doobert will send you $5.00 via PayPal within 24 hours of their order shipping. To put it in perspective, Amazon Smile would have sent you $0.50 or 50 cents after about 6-8 months.

    You can learn more about it here: https://www.doobert.com/forward/

    Hope this helps!

    ------------------------------
    Micah Day
    Support Team
    Doobert.com
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-07-2023 01:28 PM

    Thank you so much for this! I've just started as Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator for our little rabbit rescue, and was trying to find something to replace the revenue we'd be losing due to Amazon Smile ending.

    Thanks again!

    T.



    ------------------------------
    Tracey Ferraro
    Fundraising Coordinator
    Alamo City House Rabbits
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-30-2023 06:43 AM
    We too participate in AmazonSmile and are sad they are ending this avenue for giving. We participate in Kroger Rewards too, and we just signed up for the WalMart program. We are looking into other fundraising streams.

    ------------------------------
    Katie Peachey
    Beesley Animal Foundation
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-30-2023 10:56 AM
    it is not that hard for them to sign up, just make a log in and password and choose a charity

    ------------------------------
    Sandy Cole
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-30-2023 11:44 AM
    We participate in Goodsearch / Goodshop. It's free and you earn funds both through the search engine and through any online shopping.

    ------------------------------
    Carol Smock
    Board Chair
    Brown Dog Foundation
    ------------------------------



  • 16.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-30-2023 03:10 PM
    I was disappointed to learn this as well.  Personally, I intend to greatly decrease my use of Amazon because they are discontinuing the program.  One of the reasons I would choose Amazon is that my shelter got a little kickback for my shopping. 

    As mentioned already, if you have Kroger in your area, our organization earns from them through their Community Rewards program.    It's not a huge amount, my personal quarterly amount donated is usually around $15.00 but if you have enough people sign up for it, it could replace AmazonSmile as passive donations/support. 

    For Community Rewards, it was easy to sign up right on the app, there's a Rewards section where you can also see your Fuel Rewards.  If you have it in your area, maybe get a few screenshots of how to set it up and do a social media and email blast to encourage people.

    ------------------------------
    Jenna Ricci
    Volunteer
    Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 01-30-2023 06:06 PM
    I too am going to switch to buying from iGive, Good Shop and others but not  Amazon if I can help it, so very disappointing

    ------------------------------
    Sandy Cole
    ------------------------------



  • 18.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-08-2023 04:12 AM
    Hi Sandy!

    If you buy pet supplies, another online shop you can check out is the Doobert Forward Store. It works very similar to AmazonSmile but donates 5.0% of your order to your chosen animal rescue, as opposed to Amazon's 0.5%

    If you're interested, you can learn more about it at doobert.com/shop

    ------------------------------
    Micah Dayot
    Support Team
    Doobert.com
    ------------------------------



  • 19.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-08-2023 03:28 PM
    thanks I am waiting on them to approve me



  • 20.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-08-2023 05:12 PM

    I went ahead and checked shop.doobert.com to see if your organization is listed for shoppers to support and it seems that you are. I've attached a screenshot below. Is this your organization?

    If so, your supporters will now be able to select you as their beneficiary when they shop pet supplies at shop.doobert.com. Don't forget to add your PayPal email as well so you can receive the donations. Here is a quick step by step guide to help you: https://www.doobert.com/how-to-add-your-paypal-email-on-doobert/



    ------------------------------
    Micah Dayot
    Support Team
    Doobert.com
    ------------------------------



  • 21.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-08-2023 07:05 PM
    It is, as I just put us on there



  • 22.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-07-2023 02:08 PM
    A public friendly program that looks really easy to use that I've seen is through the "Paypal Giving Fund." Here's how their website says it works:
    1. Charities enroll with PayPal Giving Fund
    2. Supporters donate on PayPal, eBay, and other online platforms
    3. We receive the donations and provide receipts to donors
    4. We grant the funds to charities, directly to their PayPal accounts
    Once enrolled, you can share a link to donate like I've seen Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) use ex: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LCQU48XS8TH4N

    I donated to CARE through their PayPal donate link I believe last year and now every time I use PayPal as the checkout method when I shop online, there is always a checkbox option to donate $1 to CARE. It's SO easy for the public to click that option to donate and with the amount of online shopping people are doing, it could be a great way for you to generate monetary donations. 


    Here's their introduction video as well about how the program works.


    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 23.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-07-2023 03:13 PM
    Looks interesting thank you ! 

    Sent from my iPhone



  • 24.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-07-2023 06:28 PM
    Thanks for all of the suggestions!   I was disappointed that Amazon Smile is ending as well.     Lots of times us smaller rescues don't get any love from large companies and we need it more than most!   In our area there aren't public rescue resources and if not for the 4-5 small rescues, such as ours, the animals here really suffer.    We only rescue approx. 100-120 dogs per year, but we don't have government contracts, nor do we have any large donors or grants, so every dollar counts!     I'm disappointed that a billion dollar company chose to discontinue this in order to donate to larger causes they choose..  Don't get me wrong, we didn't earn a TON from them, but I also liked the fact that it made our followers and supporters feel like they were helping.  They are all disappointed as well..but I appreciate the other ideas on here and will definitely give them a try!   Do any of you use the Best Friends Network ResQWalk app?   We use that religously....again, not a ton of $$ but every dollar helps!        And we are a part of the Paypay Giving Fund... we get a check occasionally for a few hundred and it sure helps!

    ------------------------------
    Cindy Shotwell
    Founder/Executive Director
    Must Luv Dogs Rescue
    ------------------------------



  • 25.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-08-2023 10:16 AM
    Kroger/Ruler foods has a similar program.  Wal-mart allegedly has something similar, but we have had a really difficult time getting set up with it.   I'm with you.  We are very sad to be losing smile.  Totally different ball park, but if you have a good social media following, we make it a point to post a Facebook fundraiser once per week with one of our medical cases.  We pulled $27,000 in Facebook donations last year!

    ------------------------------
    Kelly Eckerle
    Dubois County Humane Society
    ------------------------------



  • 26.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-08-2023 12:59 PM
    I am so glad I found this thread. It was extremely upsetting seeing that they are doing away with this program. It has helped so many organizations!

    Like others have said, the Kroger Plus card is a great and super easy. If you're wanting to steer away from Amazon altogether, it is easy to set up a wish list through Chewy. However, they don't have a program like Amazon Smile. Hopefully one day they will...

    Another easy way for people to give without writing the typical check is to include a gift in their will or living trust, donate stock, corporate matching, etc. Just a few out of the box ideas that will hopefully bring in some money!


    ------------------------------
    Kendra Ralston
    Marketing and Development Manager
    Rescued Pets Movement
    ------------------------------



  • 27.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-13-2023 09:53 AM

    Is AmazonSmile going offline leaving you frustrated with your organization's reduced funding sources?

    Join CouponBirds Seedling Project! We Help You Get Donations. CouponBirds Seedling Project helps your nonprofit obtain long-term and stable donations.

    Led by CouponBirds, the Seedling Project is to encourage millions of online shoppers to earn cash and donate part of their earnings to Nonprofit Organizations:

    • More than 150 Nonprofit Organizations have successfully received donations.
    • The total donation amount is more than $100,000 and keeps increasing.

    Please email charity@couponbirds.com to get the application process, and CouponBirds Seedling Project will put you on our list of Nonprofit Organizations.

    *For more details, please visit https://fly.couponbirds.com/.



    ------------------------------
    Chris Lynn
    Operation Manager at CouponBirds
    CouponBirds
    ------------------------------



  • 28.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-14-2023 07:17 AM

    Thanks for the info. I will look into this for our organization.



    ------------------------------
    Laura Ward
    Foster Coordinator
    A Path 4 Paws Dog Rescue
    ------------------------------



  • 29.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-15-2023 10:28 PM

    Many of you might benefit and enjoy a better percentage at  iGive.com , especially if you have a huge media presence.  The people can click and use it when they shop at over 2000 locations resulting in % going to your rescue.  I have not received anything from them yet, but it is worth checking around and seeing if this can help you.



    ------------------------------
    Jody Beskin (i)
    President/Founder
    Dove Road Sanctuary & Safe Haven
    Rockvale, TN
    ------------------------------



  • 30.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-16-2023 07:01 AM
    this looks like it is for investing not shopopping, do you mean iGive?


  • 31.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 02-21-2023 08:46 AM

    Are any of you considering partnering with a local (potentially animal-related) business who would be willing to donate a % of profits to you in lieu of AmazonSmile? I'm in the process of coming up with a proposal to present to a few local businesses and using the "losing amazon smile" funds as part of this plea. Thinking pet stores, pet-friendly restaurants, boarders or groomers?



    ------------------------------
    Whitney Zoghby
    Paws4ever
    ------------------------------



  • 32.  RE: Amazon Smile Ending

    Posted 08-30-2023 10:27 AM

    I know this is a few month old, but if you are still looking for a solution to replace your Amazon Smile income, I just created a new platform that is specifically for 501(c)(3) non-profit animal organizations that works very similar to Amazon Smile.

    Brinley's Rescue friends is a brand new platform that I created to help provide extra funding for animal rescue organizations. I've partnered with over 40 pet brands and am hoping to be able to add more pet brands and expand to major retailers as the platform grows.

    When you sign up, a page is created on the website that you can share with your volunteers and supporters. There are buttons to quickly share links to social media and to your website. When anyone makes a purchase through the links on your page, then a percentage of the purchase gets donated to your organization.

    You can check out more information about the platform, as well as percentages that you will receive here: https://www.brinleysrescuefriends.com/rescues

    If you want to sign up, you can do that here and get started right away: https://www.brinleysrescuefriends.com/admin/sign-up

    I'm also happy to answer any questions that you might have!



    ------------------------------
    Aaron Keglovits
    Founder/Owner
    Brinley's Rescue Friends
    ------------------------------