How Tripadvisor Inspired AmazonSmile's Impact on Charity
- AmazonSmile raised nearly half a billion dollars for charities from 2013 to 2023.
- The company decided to stop the program, claiming it had insufficient impact and instead pledged funds to specific initiatives.
- This change highlights the need to foster generosity and create better opportunities for charitable contributions.
In the United States, AmazonSmile, a program designed to facilitate charitable donations, was discontinued despite raising nearly half a billion dollars for charities between 2013 and 2023. The program faced criticism from Amazon, which claimed that its impact was not significant enough, noting that many charities only received a few hundred dollars. Following this, Amazon decided to redirect its philanthropic efforts towards initiatives like housing equity and education for underserved communities. This shift raises concerns about a growing 'generosity crisis' in the U.S., where fewer households are donating to charity. The author of the commentary reflects on their experience with Tripadvisor, highlighting how collective generosity can yield significant results. The conclusion suggests that fostering opportunities for people to contribute could revitalize charitable giving and community support programs.