End of AmazonSmile program to impact Rhode Island charities
The recent announcement that Amazon is ending its charitable AmazonSmile program next month is leaving some Rhode Island non-profits disappointed.
Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to a charity of the shopper's choice through the initiative.
Pamela Hood at the Sweet Binks Rescue in Foster said they've received well over $6,000 through the program.
"We get paid out quarterly and we'd get $260, $250 a quarter," she said. "For small nonprofit like Sweet Binks, that was really helpful. It is a little disappointing, not only for us, but for our supporters that that choice of who they support was taken away."
A search for Rhode Island organizations participating in Amazon Smile yields 1,277 results including Handsome Dan's Rescue, which also received thousands of dollars in donations through the program.
"We're both incredibly disappointed that it's ending but also incredibly grateful to Amazon for the opportunity that they've given us for so long around it," Handsome Dan's Rescue volunteer Matthew McCall said.
In a letter sent to customers, Amazon said the program is ending next month because "with so many eligible organizations—more than 1 million globally—our ability to have an impact was often spread too thin."
The online retailer said participating charities will receive a one-time donation from the company as the program comes to an end.
"That was a thoughtful thing, I thought that they did not have to do, but it was good," Hood said.
Sweet Binks is one of dozens of Rhode Island charities registered under AmazonSmile.
Habitat for Humanity of Rhode Island, the Special Olympics RI, and the RISPCA are among local organizations that benefit from the program.
Hood and McCall said they're hopeful supporters will still help the charities in other ways like donating directly through their websites.
"I just hope that supporters step up and probably will, if it's things we need off our Amazon Wishlist, if it's just a straight-out financial donation or in-kind donation," she said. "We're having a fundraiser March 18 in Coventry. It's a paint your pet or animal fundraiser and that'll really help us, too."