There used to be a time when a few businesses were known for donating some of their profits to charity; however, that didn’t give customers much choice. With Amazon Smile, you get to purchase any item of your choice and have a portion of the proceeds go to a charity of your choice. So we had to ask: What are the best charities for Amazon Smile?

The best Amazon Smile charities are the Equal Justice Initiative that fights for equal justice, the UNCF that helps African Americans overcome education barriers, Thrive Rescue that supports victims of human trafficking, and the Lloyd Center for the Environment that raises environmental awareness.

Let’s be more specific now: Did you know that there are more than 1 million charities in the Amazon Smile program? And that Amazon automatically donates 0.5% of all your qualifying purchases. At no additional costs to you. If you’ve picked your favorite charity. And that’s what we’ll have a look at now!

These Are the 23 Best Charities That Participate in the Amazon Smile Program in 2023

Below are our favorite Amazon Smile charities (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Our Favorite Amazon Smile Charities:

• Equal Justice Initiative – Fighting for Equal Justice
• UNCF United Negro College Fund – Education for African Americans
• Thrive Rescue – Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking
• Lloyd Center for the Environment – Helping the Planet

Charities That Support Children in Need:

• Children’s Hope Alliance Foundation – a Safe Environment
• Save the Children – for Children’s Future
• TryLife Center – for Family Planning

Charities That Provide Basic Needs:

• Worldwide Hunger Relief, Inc. – Fighting Global Starvation
• Rise Against Hunger – More Than 1.7 Million People Fed
• Feeding America – Fighting Starvation in the US
• Meals on Wheels America – Delivering Free Meals
• Baltimore Hunger Project – Fighting Hunger
• Joslyn Center – Food and Shelter for Senior Citizens
• Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. – Helping the Homeless
• Helpers 4 Shelters – Putting Roofs Over Heads

Charities That Advance Healthcare:

• Promise Community Health Center – For Affordable Healthcare
• Queens Centers for Progress – Supporting Those With Disabilities
• Canary Foundation – Helping the Fight Against Cancer
• OhioHealth Foundation – For Affordable Healthcare

Charities That Help Animals:

• Rescue Me Inc – Animal Rescue
• MaeDay Rescue – Helping Dogs Avoid Euthanasia
• Rescued Paws – Sanctuary for Dogs
• Woof Love Animal Rescue – Loving Unadopted Animals

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support. And we’ll give you an overview of how you can find out how to best support your chosen charity.)

Our Favorite Amazon Smile Charities

Equal Justice Initiative – Fighting for Equal Justice

It is often said that justice is blind, but the fact remains that there is excessive punishment and mass incarceration of the minorities in the United States. This unequal justice often creates cycles of violations and holds back people from progressing in their lives and being productive for their communities. The Equal Justice Initiative has been fighting this battle since 1989.

The organization advocates criminal justice reform by challenging excessive punishment for children, the death penalty in general, and the bad prison environment. It leverages education and litigation to bring about a positive change. That, however, is half the battle. 

The other part is raising awareness among the population. For that, the organization carries out social media campaigns, has dedicated public education programs, and has a memorial to reflect on the history of the country’s justice system.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Equal Justice Initiative.

UNCF United Negro College Fund – Education for African Americans

People of color often find structural barriers that get in the way of their progress. One of these barriers is the lack of educational opportunities. With more and more colleges charging exorbitant fees, those who are not financially well off are eliminated from selection regardless of merit. The UNCF United Negro College Fund is the United States’ largest organization for minority education. 

Offering merit-based scholarships to people of color since 1944, the organization has awarded over 100 million dollars in pursuit of its mission. Over 8000 students graduate from the organization’s member universities and colleges. The organization also keeps its administrative costs to the minimum, with 86% of every donated dollar going directly towards a scholarship.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the UNCF United Negro College Fund.

Thrive Rescue – Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking

One of the darkest realities of modern life is the existence of human trafficking. Though with sufficient policing and anti-smuggling procedures, trafficking operations are busted every day, the victims of trafficking rarely get the aftercare and emotional support they need. This is the role Thrive Rescue fills in. 

The organization operates on two main fronts: rescuing victims of human trafficking and training people to advocate for the abolition of human trafficking in their respective countries. The organization has a worldwide impact and continues to fight against global injustice.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for Thrive Rescue.

Lloyd Center for the Environment – Helping the Planet

As humanity advances in technology, it becomes detached from nature. This can instill a disregard for the same environment that we ultimately rely on for sustainability. The Lloyd Center for the Environment focuses on education and awareness regarding the role of the environment and nature in our well-being and the well-being of the animal kingdom’s ecosystems. 

The center has stood up for values that need advocacy for over 39 years and continues to make a positive impact with its afterschool activities, educational programs, and awareness campaigns.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Lloyd Center for the Environment.

Charities That Support Children in Need

Children’s Hope Alliance Foundation – a Safe Environment

A tough childhood can have negative momentum as one grows into adulthood. Furthermore, it can lead to a cycle of abuse that goes down across generations. Children’s Hope Alliance Foundation aims to provide a safe journey to help children and families heal. From housing to financial assistance, the foundation has a 360-degree approach to helping disadvantaged children get to a better position in life.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Children’s Hope Alliance Foundation.

Save the Children – for Children’s Future

Children are the future, and every child has potential that can change the world. But the conditions in some countries keep children from developing their potential. Save the Children is about shielding kids from the harshness of life. The organization encourages patrons to sponsor a child and help someone’s dreams come true. By providing education, shelter, and food, Save the Children impacts the next generation one life at a time.

The charity has dedicated programs for a domestic impact that reach the most vulnerable children in the United States. It also has a global network impacting millions of lives across different continents. As the leading charity centered around the interests of the young, Save The Children has expanded into providing emergency first response and disaster relief as well.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for Save the Children.

TryLife Center – for Family Planning

Parenthood can be overwhelming for the young and especially those without resources. TryLife Center provides positive counseling and support for young mothers and children. With its parent and baby programs, the center helps mitigate the risks of unplanned pregnancies. The organization helps parents plan post-conception with proven strategies that allow parents to retain their original goals and raise a child as well.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the TryLife Center.

Charities That Provide Basic Needs

Worldwide Hunger Relief, Inc. – Fighting Global Starvation

All charities have a passion at their core. While many organizations expand to have a worldwide impact, it is always refreshing to see a group of driven individuals trying to make an impact. Worldwide Hunger Relief Inc. is an organization founded on passion. The group has partnered with Food Packs, an organization that has donated over a million meals. 

It has also been at the forefront of COVID mask-related charitable work despite it being far from its core mission of combating hunger. Furthermore, the organization helps build rehabilitative housing. Upon examining the work of WHR, it is evident that the organization is driven by passion, and that resonates with many people.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Worldwide Hunger Relief, Inc.

Rise Against Hunger – More Than 1.7 Million People Fed

When hunger is a global phenomenon, it only makes sense that fighting hunger, too, becomes a global phenomenon. Rise Against Hunger is the result of the collective goodwill of philanthropic individuals around the world. With over 413,300 volunteers making an impact in 2019 alone, the organization provides the right infrastructure to make charity dollars go the farthest. 

As a result, Rise Against Hunger helped over 1.7 million people last year. And while that may seem like a large number, the fact remains that over 820 million people do not receive enough nutrition. And that is the number this organization plans to bring down to zero.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for Rise Against Hunger.

Feeding America – Fighting Starvation in the US

The United States is one of the most advanced economies in the world. However, one in seven Americans battle starvation and hunger every day. Since 1979, Feeding America has made efforts to improve these conditions. By providing meals to those in need across the United States, the organization has become a symbol of hope for many. It focuses on four broad areas: food recovery, food nourishment, food safety, and food security.

With food recovery, the organization battles to bring down the current food wastage that currently stands at an unbelievable 72 billion pounds per year. On the other hand, the nourishing food initiative focuses on the nutritional content of food that children are fed. Soup kitchens often have negative connotations of giving nutrition-diluted food to the needy. Feeding America makes sure that the food distributed through its network is healthy and safe.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for Feeding America.

Meals on Wheels America – Delivering Free Meals

While the young are our future, it is our duty to take care of our seniors. Meals on Wheels America is one of the most expansive charitable projects that focus on taking care of senior citizens in the domain of providing ready-made meals. The charity recognizes that it is difficult for older citizens to acquire groceries and prepare meals. 

It is backed not just by donations that go towards meal preparation but by a network of eager volunteers who assist in preparing and distributing the food to the target demographic. Aside from providing meals, the organizations provide emotional support, friendly visits, and safety checks for its members.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for Meals on Wheels America.

Baltimore Hunger Project – Fighting Hunger

Sometimes it takes an organization focused on the regional level to bring about the change we desire. The Baltimore Hunger Project mobilizes an average of 1600 volunteers every year towards its mission of feeding bodies and minds. According to the organization, over 60000 hours of volunteering is done by its members on an annual basis.

It allows people to contribute in various ways, including individual donations, helping pack meals, helping deliver the packed meals, and hosting neighborhood food drives. Started as a charity to fight hunger, the Baltimore Hunger Project has expanded to feeding minds as well with a list of over fifteen partner schools.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Baltimore Hunger Project.

Joslyn Center – Food and Shelter for Senior Citizens

Senior citizen philanthropy is often geared towards basic needs like food and shelter. However, we know that life is much more than just eating and having a roof over one’s head. The Joslyn Center aims toward contributing to the lives of senior citizens in a holistic manner. It provides positive recreation like social gatherings, games, and fitness programs. 

While home-delivered meals are a part of the organization’s philanthropic portfolio, the overall range of services is broad and diverse. Whether it is creating educational programs, fit for their demographic, or training volunteers to be friendly and supporting, every aspect of the Joslyn center is dedicated to its mission.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Joslyn Center.

Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. – Helping the Homeless

We live on an economic planet, making it particularly hard to go from zero to one. That is why many homeless people are stuck in their socioeconomic position because they do not get the opportunities to make their lives better. The Manhattan Emergency Shelter provides housing and care for the homeless and unemployed so they can get back on their feet. Providing a caring and compassionate environment, the shelter aims to alleviate human suffering.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc.

Helpers 4 Shelters – Putting Roofs Over Heads

It is refreshing to see organizations that make double the impact with their efficient use of resources. Helpers 4 Shelter facilitates shelters for homeless people as well as temporary housing for stray animals. And to fulfill its mission, the organization relies on recycling, which has a positive effect on the environment. 

Each year, Helpers 4 Shelters keeps a significant amount of plastics from going to landfills. The organization has a decade of experience and continues to grow its impact.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for Helpers 4 Shelters.

Charities That Advance Healthcare

Promise Community Health Center – For Affordable Healthcare

One of the highest costs of living is that of medical expenses. People can often find themselves in emergency medical situations that they had not planned for. Many find themselves in incredible debt after just one hospital visit. Since 2008, Promise Community Health Center is making a change in this area. The organization’s business model is optimized for maximum positive impact. 

The profits from treating insured patients go towards providing deep discounts for low-income and uninsured patients. Patrons can make donations to help the center in its mission. Currently, the center provides not only core medical care but also prenatal care, eye-sight related medical services, and dental care as well.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Promise Community Health Center.

Queens Centers for Progress – Supporting Those With Disabilities

A sign of a healthy society is that it takes care of those with disabilities. Queens Center for Progress aims to support those with developmental disabilities who fulfill their potential. The center’s leadership understands that this requires person-centered services, so each adult or child in need of support is given one-on-one care and positive attention. 

The center has a history dating back to the 1950s, founded as an organization to service children with cerebral palsy. Since then, the organization has expanded to cover other conditions. Currently, the organization has over 600 staff members and continues to grow its impact with the help of its donors and generous patrons.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Queens Center for Progress.

Canary Foundation – Helping the Fight Against Cancer

Countless precious lives are lost to cancer every year. Not everyone can afford chemotherapy, and the treatment does not have a hundred percent success rate. In fact, the most effective method of combating cancer is detecting it early. 

The Canary Foundation happens to be the only organization of its kind, with its sole focus being the early detection and treatment of cancer. From supporting detection procedures to funding research into detection methods, the foundation funnels all its efforts towards combating cancer through what it calls the canary approach.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Canary Foundation.

OhioHealth Foundation – For Affordable Healthcare

Healthcare costs have been rising significantly in the United States. This has put those who are not financially well off at a disadvantage where they are unable to get medical checkups and necessary medical treatments. The OhioHealth Foundation raises funds for a network of like-named hospitals that operate in a non-profit capacity. 

The organization has a history that goes back to 1891, when the first hospital in the network was founded. Since then, the profits have been consistently reinvested in expanding and improving the healthcare provided by these hospitals to the residents of Ohio.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the OhioHealth Foundation.

Charities That Help Animals

Rescue Me, Inc. – Animal Rescue

Cruelty towards stray dogs can lead to the dogs becoming more hostile towards humans. This hostility breeds more mistreatment creating a cycle of abuse. Rescue Me, Inc. is an animal rescue operation that aims to end this cycle of cruelty and abuse by helping animals find proper training and loving homes.

The focus of Rescue Me Inc is specifically dogs that would not qualify as obvious pets because of age and background factors. In fact, one of the organization’s goals is to reduce the rate of euthanasia among senior dogs. The organization doesn’t just rescue animals but provides rehabilitation and training services for hard-to-train pets.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Rescue Me, Inc.

MaeDay Rescue – Helping Dogs Avoid Euthanasia

The life of a stray is a tough one: the dogs either live in deprivation or get put to death. Saving them from this dark reality is MaeDay Rescue, an organization dedicated to saving dogs of all breeds in Los Angeles. To fulfill its mission, the organization relies on a foster system with volunteers opting to adopt the listed rescues. 

Maeday rescue saves dogs not just from streets but also from shelters where they are scheduled to be put down. The organization’s website lists the dogs available for adoption, and patrons decide to adopt the ones they like. This results in hundreds of adoptions every year.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for MaeDay Rescue.

Rescued Paws – Sanctuary for Dogs

Many dog rescues act as temporary housing for stray dogs with a very realistic prospect of unadopted dogs being put to death. Rescued Paws is what dog rescues should be. The rescue operation is also a sanctuary for dogs that are not the common favorite for adoption. The organization welcomes adoption but won’t abandon dogs if they aren’t adopted. Senior dogs are engaged and fed, so they don’t feel alone and unloved because all dogs deserve love.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for the Rescued Paws.

Woof Love Animal Rescue – Loving Unadopted Animals

The best way to make an impact is by bringing together like-minded, passionate individuals in the service of a common goal. Woof Love Animal Rescue is a hundred percent volunteer-run organization that makes sure unwanted dogs find loving homes. While temporarily housing stray dogs until they’re adopted, the organization provides healthcare and socialization to its rescues. 

The leaders of Woof Love understand that not everyone can foster a dog. That is why they have set up multiple channels through which you can support the mission, including but not limited to direct donations, shopping at the organization’s store, and of course, through Amazon Smiles.

How can you best find this charity? Go to smile.amazon.com and use the search function to search for Woof Love Animal Rescue.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best Amazon Smile charities. However, you may have a particular homeless charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your donation has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission, and values. The website is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing the progress a charity makes in reaching its targets, the chances are not making positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How You Can Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. This article is all about Amazon Smile charities, so let’s start with this one first:

• Amazon Smile: Donate a percentage of your online purchases. You can set this up so that your chosen charities will get a fraction of your online purchases.

But there’s more to increase your impact. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. Here are a few other ways how you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Amazon Smile is a great way to support a charity of your choice while shopping on Amazon. And we sincerely hope that you’ve found a charity that resonates with you. So that you automatically make Amazon donate 0.5% of every eligible dollar you spent.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

• UNCF United Negro College Fund: Home
• Equal Justice Initiative: Home
• Feeding America: Home
• Save the Children: Home
• Meals on Wheels America: Home
• Baltimore Hunger Project: Home
• Worldwide Hunger Relief, Inc.: Home
• Rise Against Hunger: Home
• Children’s Hope Alliance Foundation: Home
• Promise Community Health Center: Home
• The Joslyn Center: Home
• Queens Centers for Progress: Home
• TryLife Center: Home
• Canary Foundation: Home
• OhioHealth Foundation: Home
• Rescue Me Inc.: Home
• Thrive Rescue: Home
• MaeDay Rescue: Home
• Rescued Paws: Home
• Woof Love Animal Rescue: Home
• The Emergency Shelter, Inc.: About Us
• Helpers 4 Shelters: Home
• Lloyd Center for the Environment: Home