TECH BYTE: Use Tech to Donate to Charity

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — ‘Tis the season of giving!

We’re not only making sure we’re getting gifts for the people we love, but we also can’t forget non-profit organizations helping those in need.

Non-profit organizations are making it as easy as possible for people to give back.

Especially since many groups lost a lot of money during the pandemic.

While you’re finishing up your holiday shopping, why not give back to your favorite charity at the same time?

The AmazonSmile program lets you do just that.

If you’re buying items off your Christmas list anyway, you might as well support a good cause at the same time. And it doesn’t even cost you more money!

You can get started at smile.amazon.com, or activate it by searching “AmazonSmile” in the Amazon Shopping smartphone app, and follow the instructions.

When you use this feature, Amazon says it will donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases to a charity of your choice when you shop.

You have more than one million organizations to choose from, and you can change the charities you want to support at any time.

Another great way to support non-profits is by using Facebook.

It’s a site you’re already on every day, right?

Like AmazonSmile, you can use it to raise money for charities – not just over the holidays, but year round!

It’s easy to do. Just create a new Facebook post, click on the “Raise Money” option, then select which organization you’d like the fundraiser to benefit.

Once the post is up on your page, anyone who sees your post can donate.

It even shows you who’s donated, as well!

It’s an easy and safe way to support your favorite non-profits.

Another convenient way to donate is directly through an organization’s website.

Most have a donate section that’s easy to find on the homepage.

Just make sure you go straight to the site, and don’t click on any random ads you might find online. That way you don’t find yourself on a fake page, and get ripped off.

The Better Business Bureau reminds folks if you make a donation, to do it with a credit card.

That way it’s easier to get your money back if there’s an issue.