Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Philanthropic Shopping

Thank you to Joe O'Connor works for We-Care.com for providing this week's guest post!

Philanthropic Shopping

During these economically chaotic times, nonprofit organizations need support more than ever. Luckily, the internet is chalk full of resources that make donating and finding volunteer opportunities much easier. Some websites even turn everyday online activities, like shopping, into support for nonprofits.

Like many businesses, nonprofits are struggling financially. Big donors are decreasing – and in some cases completely stopping – their normal donations. So, it is important for everyone to step up and help these important organizations.

Some websites, like We-Care.com, allow you to shop for causes online. These services not only enable you to help nonprofits, but they save you money as well. All you need to do is click through the site before you shop at one of your favorite online merchants, and a percentage of what you spend is automatically donated to the nonprofit of your choice. There's no extra cost for you, and you may even save money with special deals and offers.

In this time of economic crisis, everyone is more careful about spending money. Though that is certainly understandable and important, we can not forget about the great organizations that depend on donations to help feed starving villages, build homeless shelters, or provide after-school programs for inner city children. By taking advantage of philanthropic shopping websites, individuals can remain frugal and still donate to the causes that you care most about.

Not only can nonprofits take advantage of websites like www.we-care.com or www.igive.com to promote philanthropic shopping, there are many other opportunities for online fundraising, like Good Search, where people can do philanthropic internet searches (every time someone uses Good Search as their search engine a penny is donated to their charity of choice). Also, many nonprofits are partnering with businesses to have a percentage of an individuals purchase go to charity. You can read an article on this in Inc.: Saving the World, One Purchase at a Time.

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