Nuevo un US wants to help nonprofits that assist those who are new to the United States. Diversifying and streamlining donation opportunities is key to healthy nonprofit development efforts.
AmazonSmile is a program that allows charitable organizations to receive donations when customers shop at smile.amazon.com or the Amazon Shopping app on iOS or Android phones with AmazonSmile enabled.
According to Amazon, 0.5 percent of eligible AmazonSmile purchases are donated to charitable organizations chosen by customers.
AmazonSmile for Nonprofits
AmazonSmile is a platform that supports many nonprofit organizations, offering a unique way for your supporters to make meaningful donations. Once you are set up, you can ask donors to purchase specific items to support your mission. Some donors prefer to know exactly where their dollars are going. They get satisfaction from knowing they have filled a pressing need.
How to Sign Up on AmazonSmile
Setting up an Amazon Smile profile for your organization is simple. First, you must provide Amazon with a valid email address. Then, either you or one of your employees must be designated as the account administrator. Most organizations select someone with financial management authority.
Before receiving funds donated to your organization, you must first register it. It is simple to register. Try searching Amazon Smile for your organization by name or EIN, select it, and then create an administrator account. Please provide your organization’s bank account information, followed by verification with a voided check or a bank statement. It’s that simple!
Follow these easy steps:
- Find and select your charitable organization by name or EIN. Because many charitable organizations have similar names, double-check that you’ve chosen the right one.
- Create an administrator account for your organization and accept the AmazonSmile Participation Agreement on its behalf.
- Check your email address (we recommend using an email address associated with your charitable organization).
- Provide the bank account information for your organization.
- To verify your organization’s bank account information, upload a copy of a voided check or bank statement.
- To finish your registration, use your organization’s email address and contact Amazon to verify details and sort out bank information.
- Amazon will only accept your organization if Guided Star has approved it. Visit org.amazon.com to learn more about the eligibility criteria and to register your charity with AmazonSmile.
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate, public charitable organizations should be enlisted and in good standing with the IRS as 501(c)(3) organizations. In addition, eligible charitable organizations must be based in the United States or the District of Columbia.
Organizations that participate in, support, encourage or promote intolerance, hatred, terrorism, violence, money laundering, or other illegal activities are ineligible. To determine which organizations fall into these categories, Amazon consults the US Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
To remain eligible, charitable organizations must also follow the AmazonSmile Participation Agreement. Nonprofits have the option to opt-out of AmazonSmile at any time.
Amazon makes every effort to include only charitable organizations that are in good standing and do not engage in any illegal activities described above, but cannot fully guarantee any charitable organization’s good standing and conduct.
How AmazonSmile Donations Work
100% of the donation amount generated by your eligible AmazonSmile purchase will be donated. The donation amounts generated by your purchases are combined with those generated by all other customers who chose the same organization, and the AmazonSmile Foundation transfers electronic funds to registered charitable organizations each quarter. Donations are typically transferred 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter.
Donations are not made for returned products.
You cannot deduct the amount donated by the AmazonSmile Foundation due to your AmazonSmile purchase. Contact your tax advisor if you have any questions about your tax situation.
Payment Options for AmazonSmile
AmazonSmile accepts all payment methods available on Amazon.com, including Shop with Points. Please remember that if you choose to Shop with Points, Amazon will calculate donation amounts based on the item’s price (not the number of points redeemed).
Teach your supporters how to use AmazonSmile
Amazon Smile is only helpful if your donors understand how to use it to support your nonprofit. Your supporters can access Amazon Smile using their existing Amazon.com username and password. They will then be prompted to select a charity to support.
Amazon will remember your charity once the account is created. Encourage your community to double-check their Amazon purchases to ensure they are on the smile.amazon.com site rather than amazon.com (they look nearly identical).
Pro Tip: Share your Amazon Smile charity link with EVERYONE.
Amazon Smile can only benefit your charity if people use your unique link when shopping. The more people are aware of it and use Amazon Smile, the better! Encourage your volunteers, employees, donors, friends, and family to bookmark your link so your organization receives the donation for each eligible AmazonSmile purchase.
Publicize AmazonSmile in your next email update and include your unique link. Share your link on social media and include it on your website. AmazonSmile even provides banners that you can place on your website to direct people to your AmazonSmile profile.
Spread the Word!
AmazonSmile is simple to set up and use, which is one of the main reasons it works. Consider it a free influencer marketing tool for your company.
AmazonSmile is an excellent way for customers to help a charity they know and trust. Don’t let your organization pass up this simple way to collect donations to help it function and thrive.
Receiving donations from AmazonSmile is another tool in your fundraising and networking arsenal; it is not a panacea for all your funding requirements. It is not meant to replace your regular fundraising efforts. Although the 0.5% donation is significant, your supporters would have to spend a significant amount of money to generate significant contributions.
Steve Cuculich, a Tampa-based philanthropist and owner of Car Credit, funds the work of Nuevo en US, offering support to nonprofits that serve our newly arrived neighbors. Welcome to the Nuevo en US family. We are here for you.