Over the last month I've been highlighting websites where your purchase can raise money for charity. When shopping for fundraising purposes, please make sure that an acceptable percentage of your purchase will go where you want it to.
For example, since it's Breast Cancer Month, I've been seeing a lot of pink ribbon items for sale at various stores. However, I have no idea if any of the money will actually go breast cancer research. All the store may be doing is making money off a trendy cause, so ask!
Same goes with shopping on the internet. Find out how much of your purchase or donation is actually going to the cause you're supporting. One way to do this is to check out the website's claim. Then check out the charity at Charity Navigator or Give.org. See how much they put towards the program, administration expenses, and fundraising costs. After doing your homework, shop away knowing that your money is truly going where it'll do some good.
One of the sites I really like is The Literacy Site. The Literacy Site was founded to help promote literacy among children from low-income families nationwide. Partnering with First Book, the site makes books available to children around the country, giving many children their very first book. With the generous support of our sponsors, each click provides 1% of a book. Making books a part of a child's life is the best way to encourage the love of reading.
In addition to clicking the red "Give Free Books" button, visitors can help make books available by shopping in The Literacy Site store. With each item purchased, shoppers generate funds for free books for children in need. The store offers a wide array of unique and meaningful items, including apparel, jewelry, home accents and gifts from around the world.
The Literacy Store features links to the Hunger Site, the Breast Cancer Site, the Child Health Site, the Rain Forest Rescue Site, and the Animal Rescue Site, too. All feature stores and great gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list.
