Click and Give

"Give to me, give to me.. Care for me, care for me, you said you'd care for me." -Lauryn Hill

(I might have covered some of these previously, but a reminder is always good!)


GoodSearch.com: The idea behind GoodSearch is straightforward - Use it's search engine, powered by Yahoo, every time you browse the Web, and the site will make a donation to the charity of your choice. The donation is just a penny per search, but if 1,000 people search twice a day, every day, that would add up to $7,300 in a year. Eligible charities include local day-care centers, animal shelters, the Sierra Club, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. TIP: If you don't see your favorite nonprofit, complete the sign-up form and look under "add a charity."


GreaterGood.com: You click on one of the listed charitable causes and then press "click here," and the GreaterGood Network of web sites will make a donation. The site is funded with ad revenue, which is divvied up among 15 nonprofits. Although you don't see how much money each click generates, the site says one click is worth 1 to 2 cents. Total donations in the 12 months ending June 30, 2008 came to $2.7 million. The money went to such charities as America's Second Harvest food bank and the Petfinder Foundation. TIP: Spread the word. Each of the sites allows you to send e-cards that count as clicks and generate more donations.


eBayGivingWorks.com: This little-publicized section of eBay lists thousands of items for sale by private sellers who agree to donate all or part of the proceeds. You can find the usual eBay products - used books, collectibles, toys - as well as VIP packages for concerts and gift certificates for movies. As with any eBay transaction, check seller ratings and pay with plastic to protect yourself in case something goes wrong. TIP: Watch where you're going when you're on the site. Clicking "home" brings you to the regular eBay home page.


GoodShop.com: Click on any of the 500-plus participating online stores, shop as you normally would, and any purchase you make will generate a donation to the cause of your choice. Donation amounts vary by retailer. There are literally thousands of organizations you can help, from local schools and health clinics to large national foundations. TIP: Also check BuyForCharity.com. It has fewer stores, but it works the same way, and the donations might be bigger.


ThePetitOnSite.com: Click on a category such as human rights or corporate accountability, look at the petitions, and decide whether to add your support. Petitions under "environment and wildlife," for example, support protection of gorilla habitats in Congo or call for limiting oil exploitation in the Arctic. To add your name, fill out a form. If you don't want your identity made public, check the "don't display my name" box. TIP: Look at petition sponsors. Some are reputable organizations; others are private citizens with an ax to grind.