GoodSearch
GoodSearch (www.goodsearch.com) is a Yahoo-powered search engine that benefits nonprofits. For each search you conduct, the organization of your choice gets a penny. For me, this amounts to maybe 15 cents a day, or just over $50 a year. But because I sent out emails to a lot of people who also support the same local nonprofit, I've generated almost $200 for them in just over a year.
If your favorite group isn't registered yet, it's a very simple and quick process, and you might be able to do it for them. Or, give them a little nudge to do it themselves. I'm sure they'd love to be included because, unlike all their other fundraising, it creates no work for them.
GoodSearch also helps you with your donations through their new GoodShop program. There are hundreds of companies that will donate a portion of your online purchase to the charity of your choice. I haven't used this feature yet, but I will next time I shop online. Some of my favorites:
-
Target, 1.5 to 5.5%
-
Petsmart, 6.5 to 10%
-
Best Buy, .5 to 1.5%
-
Amazon.com, 1.5%
-
Barnes & Noble, 2.5%
-
1-800-Flowers.com, 7%
-
ebay, 25 to 37.5%
The very best time to generate money for them is when you're getting ready for a trip. Before you buy your next airline tickets, rent your next car, or reserve your next hotel room, check out the GoodSearch site to see which vendors are going to donate and how much.
This kind of philanthropy is a no-brainer. It costs nothing and it takes no time. Like millions of other people, I'm guilty of saying "I wish I could do more, but I just don't have the time or money."
BAM! Another perfectly good excuse blown out of the water. Next time you hear somebody try to use it, send them to www.GoodSearch.com.