AmazonSmile is a fantastic way to support your favorite charity while you shop on Amazon. It’s a simple program that donates 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Many people set up their AmazonSmile account once and then forget about it, but what if you want to change your designated charity? Perhaps your favorite organization has changed, or you want to support a different cause for a while. Don’t worry, it’s easy to change your AmazonSmile charity. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, step-by-step, on both the Amazon website and the Amazon app.
## Why Change Your AmazonSmile Charity?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s consider some reasons why you might want to change your AmazonSmile charity:
* **Shifting Priorities:** Your charitable interests may evolve over time. You might become more passionate about a different cause, such as environmental protection, animal welfare, or disaster relief.
* **Local Support:** You might want to support a local charity in your community that directly benefits your neighbors.
* **New Organizations:** New and impactful charities emerge regularly. You might discover an organization whose mission resonates with you more strongly than your current one.
* **Rotating Support:** Some people like to rotate their support among different charities throughout the year, giving each organization a boost at different times.
* **Specific Campaigns:** You might want to support a charity that’s running a specific campaign or responding to a particular crisis.
No matter your reason, changing your AmazonSmile charity is a straightforward process that allows you to direct your charitable contributions where they matter most to you.
## How to Change Your AmazonSmile Charity on the Amazon Website (Desktop)
This is the most common way to change your AmazonSmile charity. Follow these steps on your computer:
**Step 1: Sign in to your Amazon Account**
* Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and go to the Amazon website: www.amazon.com.
* Click on “Account & Lists” in the top right corner of the page.
* Enter your email address or mobile phone number and click “Continue.”
* Enter your password and click “Sign-In.” Make sure you are using the same account you use for your Amazon purchases.
**Step 2: Access Your AmazonSmile Settings**
There are a couple of ways to get to your AmazonSmile settings:
* **Option 1: Through Your Account Menu**
* After signing in, hover over “Account & Lists” again.
* In the “Your Account” section, find and click on “AmazonSmile Charity Lists.”
* If you don’t see “AmazonSmile Charity Lists” directly, look for “Your Account” and then find “AmazonSmile” within that section.
* **Option 2: Direct Link**
* You can also go directly to the AmazonSmile settings page by typing the following URL into your browser’s address bar: smile.amazon.com/change.
* You might be prompted to sign in again if you haven’t been active on Amazon recently.
**Step 3: Change Your Charity**
* Once you are on the AmazonSmile settings page, you’ll see the name of your current charity.
* Below your current charity, you’ll find a button labeled “Change Charity.”
* Click on the “Change Charity” button.
**Step 4: Search for a New Charity**
* A search bar will appear, allowing you to search for a new charity.
* You can search by the charity’s name, keyword, or EIN (Employer Identification Number).
* As you type, Amazon will suggest potential matches.
**Step 5: Select Your New Charity**
* Browse the search results and find the charity you want to support.
* Make sure you select the correct organization. Pay attention to the charity’s location and mission to avoid accidentally choosing a similar-sounding organization.
* Once you’ve found the right charity, click the “Select” button next to its name.
**Step 6: Confirmation**
* A confirmation message will appear, stating that your AmazonSmile charity has been updated.
* You’ll also see the name of your new charity displayed on the AmazonSmile settings page.
**Step 7: Start Shopping!**
* That’s it! You’ve successfully changed your AmazonSmile charity. Remember to always shop through smile.amazon.com for your purchases to qualify for donations.
* You can now browse Amazon and shop as usual, knowing that 0.5% of your eligible purchases will be donated to your chosen charity.
## How to Change Your AmazonSmile Charity on the Amazon App (Mobile)
Changing your charity through the Amazon app is slightly different than on the website, but still relatively simple. These instructions apply to both iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android devices:
**Step 1: Open the Amazon App and Sign In**
* Launch the Amazon app on your smartphone or tablet.
* If you’re not already signed in, enter your email address or mobile phone number and password to sign in to your Amazon account.
**Step 2: Access the AmazonSmile Settings**
* Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the bottom right corner of the app (this is the menu icon).
* Scroll down the menu until you find “Settings” and tap on it.
* In the “Settings” menu, tap on “AmazonSmile.”
**Step 3: Change Your Charity**
* On the AmazonSmile page, you’ll see your current charity listed.
* Tap the “Change Charity” button below your current charity’s name.
**Step 4: Search for a New Charity**
* A search bar will appear at the top of the screen.
* Enter the name, keyword, or EIN of the charity you want to support.
* The app will suggest potential matches as you type.
**Step 5: Select Your New Charity**
* Scroll through the search results and locate the correct charity.
* Verify that you’ve chosen the right organization by checking its location and mission.
* Tap the “Select” button next to the charity’s name.
**Step 6: Confirmation**
* The app will display a confirmation message indicating that your AmazonSmile charity has been updated.
* You’ll also see the name of your new charity displayed on the AmazonSmile page within the app.
**Step 7: Start Shopping!**
* That’s it! You’ve successfully updated your AmazonSmile charity through the Amazon app.
* Remember to start your shopping through the Amazon app to ensure that your purchases contribute to your chosen charity.
## Important Considerations for AmazonSmile
Keep these points in mind when using AmazonSmile:
* **Always Shop Through Smile.Amazon.com or the App:** For your purchases to qualify for donations, you must shop through the smile.amazon.com website or activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app. Regular Amazon.com purchases do not qualify.
* **Enable AmazonSmile in the App (Recurring):** If you are using the Amazon app, you may need to enable AmazonSmile periodically (usually every six months). The app will usually prompt you to re-enable it. This is a security measure to ensure you’re aware that you’re contributing to charity.
* **Eligible Products:** Not all products are eligible for AmazonSmile donations. Look for the “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” message on the product page. Generally, most products sold directly by Amazon are eligible.
* **0.5% Donation:** Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products. While this might seem like a small amount, it can add up over time, especially when many people contribute.
* **Tax Deductibility:** AmazonSmile donations are made by Amazon, not by you. Therefore, you cannot claim a tax deduction for these donations.
* **Charity Eligibility:** Charities must meet certain criteria to be eligible for AmazonSmile. Amazon regularly reviews participating charities to ensure they are in good standing.
* **Check Your Charity’s Status:** It’s a good idea to occasionally check the status of your chosen charity to ensure they are still participating in the AmazonSmile program.
* **Spread the Word:** Encourage your friends and family to use AmazonSmile and support their favorite charities.
## Troubleshooting AmazonSmile
Here are some common issues you might encounter with AmazonSmile and how to resolve them:
* **Donations Not Showing Up:**
* **Solution:** Make sure you are shopping through smile.amazon.com or have AmazonSmile activated in the app. Double-check the product page to see if the item is eligible for AmazonSmile donations.
* **Cannot Find My Charity:**
* **Solution:** Try searching for the charity using different keywords or its EIN. Ensure that the charity is still registered with AmazonSmile. Some charities may have been removed for failing to meet the eligibility criteria.
* **AmazonSmile Not Activated in the App:**
* **Solution:** Go to the AmazonSmile settings in the app (☰ > Settings > AmazonSmile) and follow the prompts to activate it. You may need to reactivate it periodically.
* **Account Issues:**
* **Solution:** If you are having trouble signing in or accessing your Amazon account, contact Amazon customer support for assistance.
* **Incorrect Charity Selected:**
* **Solution:** Follow the steps outlined in this guide to change your AmazonSmile charity to the correct organization.
## Finding a Charity to Support
If you’re unsure which charity to support, here are some resources to help you find an organization that aligns with your values:
* **Charity Navigator:** Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) is a website that evaluates charities based on their financial health, accountability, and transparency. You can search for charities by category, location, or keyword.
* **GuideStar:** GuideStar (www.guidestar.org) is another resource that provides information about nonprofit organizations. You can access in-depth reports, financial statements, and other data.
* **Local Community Foundation:** Your local community foundation can provide information about charities in your area that are making a positive impact.
* **Causes You Care About:** Think about the issues that are important to you, such as environmental protection, education, healthcare, or animal welfare. Research charities that are working to address those issues.
* **Personal Recommendations:** Ask your friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations on charities they support.
## Conclusion
Changing your AmazonSmile charity is a simple yet impactful way to support the causes you care about. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily update your designated charity on both the Amazon website and the Amazon app. Remember to always shop through smile.amazon.com or activate AmazonSmile in the app to ensure that your purchases contribute to your chosen organization. Take a few minutes today to review your AmazonSmile settings and make sure you’re supporting the charity that matters most to you. Every purchase you make can help make a difference!