AmazonSmile shutting down in February faces community backlash

AmazonSmile is a service that allows Amazon customers to donate a portion of their purchase to various non-profits or charities, but it will be shutting down on February 20, 2023.

This decision by Amazon is due to cost-cutting measures, but it is causing backlash from regular users of the service.

I’m really mad. My #AmazonSmile donation was to AZ Cactus Corgi Rescue. They need this Amazon smile money to help run this organization and take care of dogs.
Really disappointed in Amazon. This is literally free tax write offs for them.
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Several users have taken to social media to report (1,2,3,4) their disappointment with the decision, stating that AmazonSmile was a convenient and easy way to donate to charities.

Some users have even stated that they will no longer be using Amazon as a result of the shutdown.

Some alternatives of AmazonSmile

While AmazonSmile is set to shut down, there are still ways for users to donate to charities without actively thinking about it.

1. One alternative is Altruisto, a Chrome extension that allows users to easily donate to charities while shopping online.

2. Another option is to use Humble Bundle, Inc., which is a digital storefront for video games that donates a portion of an item’s price to charity. It is a great charity option for gaming enthusiasts.

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3. Yet another alternative is using Target’s charity program that helps you earn some points on everyday purchases which can be then redeemed in the form of donation to various charities.

4. A cashback + charity service like Giving Assistant can also be considered as an alternative to donate for charity.

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AmazonSmile was a unique and valuable service that made it easy for users to make a difference, and its shutting down is a loss for both users and the non-profits that benefited from the program.

At this point, it’s unclear whether this backlash will have Amazon change their minds about shutting down AmazonSmile, but we’ll be following up this story to keep you updated.

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