Amazon is Ending Its Amazon Smile Program: How Sellers Can Still Give Back?

For many years, Amazon Smile has been a beloved program that allowed customers to support their favourite charitable organizations while shopping. 

It provided a simple way to give back to the community. 

However, as with all good things, the Amazon Smile program is ending. Amazon is closing 

Amazon is shutting down its AmazonSmile charity program next month as part of its multiple cost-cutting activities, including firing thousands of employees.

This article will explore what Amazon Smile was and why Amazon has decided to close this program. We will also discuss alternative ways for Amazon sellers to give back and make a positive impact. Let’s dive in!

A quick peek into the article:

1. What was Amazon Smile?
2. 5 Ways Amazon Sellers Can Give Back
3. Final Thoughts

What Was Amazon Smile?

Amazon Smile was a philanthropic initiative launched in 2013 by Amazon. It worked as an overlay for the standard Amazon website. Shoppers can normally shop on the platform, and when they do, 0.5% of their eligible purchases are donated to the charity of their choice. 

It was a win-win situation, as customers could support causes they cared about without any additional cost, and charities received much-needed funds.

Since its launch, Amazon has donated more than $377 million through the Amazon Smile program. But according to Amazon, “its ability to have an impact was often spread too thin.”

That’s why they’ve decided to close Amazon Smile on February 20, 2023. 

5 Ways Amazon Sellers Can Still Give Back

While the closure of the Amazon Smile program is unfortunate, there are still several ways for Amazon sellers to give back and positively impact the world. Here are five alternative ways for Amazon sellers to contribute to charitable causes:

1. Amazon FBA Donations Program

Amazon offers a program called FBA Donations that allows sellers to donate their excess inventory to charitable organizations. 

Instead of disposing of unsold items, you can choose to have them sent to a charity of your choice. This helps reduce waste and provides much-needed resources to people in need. 

By participating in the FBA Donations Program, you can make a difference in local communities and support the causes they believe in.

Amazon FBA sellers are automatically enrolled in the program.

At the end of each year, Amazon also issues a donation certificate to every seller, detailing each inventory you donated throughout the previous year. 

FBA donations also make sellers eligible for tax benefits. However, we highly recommend consulting with a tax advisor to understand and fully maximize these potential benefits. 

2. Direct Donations

Another way for Amazon sellers to give back is by making direct donations to charities. You can set aside a portion of their profits and donate it to organizations that align with your values.

For example, let’s say you’re selling a sustainable product that focuses on reducing global warming. Then you can create a contribution of a small portion (5-10% ) to a charity that works on global warming awareness.

Direct donation allows you to have full control over where your donations go and ensures that your contributions have a direct impact on the causes you care about.

You can also highlight your brand’s support for a specific cause in your product listing, website, packaging, and social media to build brand awareness. 

3. Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly Program

The Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly program is an excellent opportunity for sellers who are passionate about sustainability and environmental causes.

If your product qualifies for the program, your listing will get a Climate Pledge Friendly badge. It helps your customers identify your product as sustainability-friendly on Amazon. 

In addition to being better for the environment, sustainable businesses can also boost sales since 55% of consumers are willing to pay more for them.

5. Volunteering And Community Engagement

Lastly, Amazon sellers can give back by volunteering their time and skills to support local community initiatives. 

Whether it’s organizing food drives, participating in cleanup events, or offering mentorship programs, you can actively engage with communities and make a positive impact beyond monetary donations.

You can also join or create a network of like-minded Amazon sellers who are committed to giving back and collaborating on initiatives, campaigns, or events that support your common goals.

Final Thoughts

While the closure of the Amazon Smile program may have disappointed many, you still have plenty of opportunities to give back and make a difference. 

By doing so, you can make a difference and build trust and loyalty with your customers, enhance your brand reputation, and attract new customers who share your values and vision. Want to learn more about selling on Amazon? Check out our complete guide.

Additional read:

Benefits of these Amazon add-on products

What is Amazon Product Localization?

How to Join Amazon’s Small Business Academy

How does AmazonBasics impact Amazon Seller?

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