The closure of Amazon’s charity donation programme, AmazonSmile, at the end of February was another blow for small charities that are already struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain economy.
For a decade, AmazonSmile has been an easy way for charities and not-for-profit organisations to bring in extra cash through the everyday activity of shopping on Amazon. For many not-for profits and charities—the smallest ones in particular—those additional pounds significantly boosted their budgets and helped to support their services.
We know how important this funding stream was to small charities so Community Impact Bucks is working in partnership with fundraising website easyfundraising to provide an alternative way to generate additional unrestricted income for your organisation or group*.
How it works
easyfundraising enables organisations to raise money to support themselves and the wider community through online shopping.
When your supporters use the easyfundraising website or app to find a retailer they want to shop with, the retailer sends your organisation a free donation based on how much they spend. It doesn’t cost anything extra as the retailer pays the donation, not the shopper.
It’s a bit like using a cashback site but, instead of one individual benefiting, your community can pull together and raise for your organisation. Anything from a weekly grocery shop to a family holiday can generate a free donation.
It’s free to register and use, and is open to voluntary organisations of all shape and size – you don’t need to be a charity. All funds raised through easyfundraising are classed as unrestricted so you can use then as you wish.
easyfundraising in action: an example
Chris is taking his family on a day out by train. Instead of visiting the Trainline website, Chris heads to Easyfundraising’s website first and then clicks on the Trainline link.
The easyfundraising website directs Chris to Trainline, where he books his tickets. As Chris started at easyfundraising first, the homeless shelter he supports will receive a free donation directly from Trainline, at no extra cost to Chris.
How to get started
- Create your organisation’s profile on the easyfundraising site – it’s free and only takes a few minutes
- Get familiar with easyfundraising – book a call with one of the team so you are up to speed on how the site works.
- Share the good news – use the pre-built social media copy, images, posters, and flyers in your easyfundraising account to tell your supporters and get them onboard.
Register for free here: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/bucks*
*If you register your not-for-profit organisation with easyfundraising, please register using this link so that Community Impact Bucks receives a small commission. This commission doesn’t come out of the money you raise – it is entirely separate and additional – and any money we raise will help us to support local organisations like yours.