3 Ways to Make a Charitable Contribution (Without Spending Any Extra Time or Money)

Yesterday was National Nonprofit Day, which made me think about the huge number of quality organizations doing volunteer and humanitarian work around the globe. There are several organizations that my family supports on an on-going basis, both with making financial contributions and by volunteering our time.  In the past year or so, I’ve become more aware of 3 additional ways to contribute to my favorite organizations without spending any extra time or money.

Here they are:

Amazon Smile

I use Amazon a lot. With a 4-year-old and an infant in the house, plus 2 home offices, we order something at least weekly that we would otherwise have to load up and drive to the nearest “big town” to buy. Since discovering Amazon Smile, almost everything I order from Amazon triggers a donation 0.5% to whatever 501(c)(3) organization I select from their list of participants (which is nearly a million strong). To start using Amazon Smile, check out their info page for details. Then after you have signed up, visit smile.amazon.com every time you shop.

I appreciate that Amazon Smile confirms after each purchase that a donation will be made to my selected organization and also keeps me updated with a running total of how much has been donated in total because of my purchases. It’s not a fortune, by any means, but it’s extra money that the organization would not have received otherwise.

Kroger Community Rewards

I have been using this grocery store shopper’s card since I was in high school, but I just recently took the time to link my card to the Community Rewards program. Similarly to the Amazon Smile program, Kroger donates a small percentage of my purchases to the organization I chose from their list of participants. Again, not a fortune, but I just buy my groceries and my chosen organization gets a little extra money.

Box Tops for Education

I’ve been aware of Box Tops since elementary school, when I would watch the school secretary sorting the little pink cardboard squares brought in by moms dropping their kids off for class. What I just recently learned is that private non-profit schools can participate in the Box Tops program, and one of the organizations we support (Lifeline) runs a school in Winslow, AZ that is enrolled. Box Tops for Education will give up to $20,000 (200,000 Box Tops) to each school per year. Get together with some friends and start collecting!

I really appreciate the opportunity to use purchases I already make to help out an organization I already support. I hope you can do the same!