9 Best Amazon Smile Charities & Philanthropic Programs by Amazon Smile

What if you could support your favorite charity while shopping online? With Amazon Smile, you can do just that. Amazon Smile is a program that donates a portion of your eligible purchases to the charity of your choice at no extra cost to you. But with so many charities, how do you know which one to pick?

In this blog post, we’ll share the top Amazon Smile charities that make a real difference. By choosing to support one of these organizations, you can positively impact society with every purchase. So, sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to discover the best Amazon Smile charities that are improving lives and communities.

Note: Amazon has closed down AmazonSmile on February 20, 2023

Instead, they will be investing in many philanthropic programs.

But let’s see which were the best amazon smile charities, and later, we will see which philanthropic programs they will be supporting.

1. American Red Cross

Have you heard of the American Red Cross? Founded in 1881, they are one of the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organizations, with a network of volunteers, donors, and partners. They provide all kinds of assistance to people in the United States affected by disasters, including shelter, food, and mental health support. They also offer health and safety training, collect blood donations, and help support military families.

The organization’s mission is to prevent and ease human suffering in the face of emergencies. Plus, if you shop on Amazon, you can use Amazon Smile to support the American Red Cross! Moreover, the charity has a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator with 96%. 

2. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

If you know anyone affected by childhood diseases, you’ll definitely want to hear about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This nonprofit medical facility in Tennessee was founded in 1962, and its mission is to find cures for childhood diseases, especially cancer. They’ve made huge strides in improving survival rates for kids with cancer, and they provide care to children regardless of their ability to pay.

They also share their research with the global scientific community. And get this – they offer support to patients and their families through housing, transportation, and emotional support. St. Judes has a perfect 100% score on Charity Navigator. 

3. Doctors Without Borders

Next up, we have Doctors Without Borders. Also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian medical organization that provides emergency medical aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and other crises. They don’t care about race, religion, or politics – they just want to help people suffering.

They were founded in France in 1971 and now has offices in more than 70 countries. They also work to raise awareness about public health issues and advocate for policy changes to improve access to healthcare in crisis situations. For stats, they have 91% on Charity Navigator with 4/4 stars.  

4. Make-A-Wish Foundation

Let’s talk about the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This organization grants wishes to kids with critical illnesses, and they’ve granted more than 500,000 wishes since they were founded in 1980. They believe that making a wish come true can give a sick child and their family hope, joy, and strength.

The wishes can be anything from meeting a celebrity to going on a trip, and they’re customized to each child’s interests and needs. They also advocate for policies and practices that improve the lives of children with critical illnesses and their families. This amazing charity has 4 gold star ratings on Charity Navigator with 90% scores. 

5. Alzheimer’s Association

They’re a non-profit organization that’s been around since 1980, and they support people and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. They offer many services, like information and education, support groups, care consultations, and a 24/7 helpline. Plus, they fund research into the causes, treatments, and prevention of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

The Alzheimer’s Association has chapters all over the United States, and they operate in many other countries too. They work really hard to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and advocate for policies that help people affected by the disease. On Charity Navigator, have 90% ratings with 4 stars. 

6. World Wildlife Fund

WWF is a global organization dedicated to protecting the natural environment and conserving the world’s wildlife and ecosystems. Founded in 1961, they work to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable development, and reduce the impact of human activities on the natural world. They do this through research, advocacy, education, and fieldwork in over 100 countries.

Amazingly, they work to protect endangered species, preserve critical habitats, and promote sustainable practices in industries like fishing, forestry, and agriculture. Plus, they work with businesses and governments to promote sustainable practices and reduce carbon emissions. The nonprofit has received 3 stars on Charity Navigator with 84% scores. 

7. The Salvation Army

Another great non-profit is The Salvation Army. They’re a Christian charitable organization that provides social services and aid to people in need around the world. The Salvation Army was founded in London in 1865 and operates in over 130 countries.

They provide various services, including disaster relief, food assistance, shelter for the homeless, rehabilitation for addiction, and support for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, refugees, and children at risk.  The Salvation Army is known for its red kettles, set up during the holiday season to collect donations for its programs. The organization is gifted with a perfect 100% score on Charity Navigator with 4 stars. 

8. ASPCA

Next up is the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). They’re a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and promoting the welfare of animals. The ASPCA was founded in 1866 and is based in New York City.

They work to rescue and provide care for animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. They also advocate for stronger animal protection laws and promote responsible pet ownership through education and outreach programs.  They also work with law enforcement agencies to investigate cases of animal cruelty and to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. ASPCA has ¾ stars on Charity Navigator with 83%. 

9. American Cancer Society

Finally, we have the American Cancer Society (ACS). They’re dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Founded in 1913, they work to support cancer patients and their families through various programs and services, including information and education, emotional support, and access to treatment.

They provide a variety of programs and services, including patient navigation services to help people navigate the healthcare system, free lodging for cancer patients and their families who must travel for treatment, and a 24/7 helpline staffed by trained cancer information specialists. Ending our list, the charity has 3 stars on Charity Navigator at 82% scores.

Amazon Smile is investing in several philanthropic programs to make a positive impact in communities across the United States.

Here are some of the initiatives they are supporting:

Housing Equity Fund

Amazon Smile is dedicating $2 billion to build and preserve affordable housing in hometown communities. In just two years, this investment has provided funding to create over 14,000 affordable homes, and they plan to build at least 6,000 more in the coming months. These units will house more than 18,000 moderate- to low-income families, including many with children. This investment has increased the affordable housing stock in communities like Bellevue, Washington, and Arlington, Virginia by at least 20%.

Amazon Future Engineer

Amazon Smile has funded a computer science curriculum for over 600,000 students in underserved communities across more than 5,000 schools. They plan to reach an additional 1 million students this year. In addition, they have provided immediate assistance to 55,000 students in hometown communities by giving them warm clothes for the winter, food, and school supplies.

Community Delivery Program

Amazon Smile has partnered with food banks in 35 U.S. cities to deliver more than 23 million meals, using their logistics infrastructure to help families in need access healthy food. They plan to deliver 12 million more meals this year alone. Additionally, they have donated 30 million meals to communities across the country.

Amazon Disaster Relief

Amazon Smile is leveraging its logistics capabilities, inventory, and cloud technology to provide fast aid to communities affected by natural disasters. For example, they have created a Disaster Relief Hub in Atlanta with over 1 million relief items ready for deployment, responded to more than 95 natural disasters, and donated over 20 million relief products to nonprofits assisting communities on the ground.

Community giving

Amazon Smile supports hundreds of local nonprofits doing meaningful work in cities where their employees and families live. They donate hundreds of millions annually to organizations working to build stronger communities, from youth sports leagues to local community colleges to shelters for families experiencing homelessness.

Final Thoughts

As we come to the end of our exploration of the best Amazon Smile charities and philanthropic programs, we are reminded that even the smallest act of kindness can significantly impact those in need. By simply shopping with Amazon Smile and supporting one of the amazing charities we’ve discussed, you can make a positive difference in the world. Whether by providing affordable housing, delivering meals to hungry people, or funding education for underserved communities, these organizations are changing lives and making the world a better place.

However, it’s important to note that Amazon Smile has stopped its operations as of February 20th. While this news may come as a surprise, we can take comfort in knowing that Amazon will continue to invest in philanthropic programs that make a difference in the world.

As we move forward, remember that every small action can create a ripple effect of positive change. Let’s continue to support the organizations and causes we care about and work together to create a better world for all.