The Amazon Smile Story

For ten years, AmazonSmile allowed shoppers to support their favorite nonprofits effortlessly. Each purchase generated a donation of 0.5% — that’s just five cents for every $10 spent — directed to the charitable organization of the shopper’s choice.

Over the course of the program, (ten years) more than $446 million was distributed to nonprofits across the United States. This steady stream of support became a valuable resource for thousands of organizations.

In 2023, however, AmazonSmile was discontinued. Amazon explained that donations were being “spread too thin,” as over one million nonprofits were selected by consumers. While that meant broad participation, it also resulted in a vast number of very small donations — and ultimately, the program came to an end.

There has been previous programs introduced that were intended to bring back the income the charitable-economy lost since the shutdown of AmazonSmile - none have succeeded - this initiative will change that.

The estimated cost to launch this initiative is approximately $1 million.

The purpose of this GoFundMe is to raise as much of that startup capital as possible — which directly reduces the amount that must be raised from outside investors.

Every dollar contributed here has a multiplying effect:

It lowers the equity required from investors.

It increases the likelihood of securing institutional partners.

It accelerates the timeline for launching the program in its first community (Saratoga County).

And it strengthens our ability to preserve the mission, the values, and the nonprofit-first design that makes this initiative unique.

In short:

The more community support we gather now, the stronger our position becomes when we sit down with major financial institutions and private investors.

This GoFundMe is not just about raising money —

it’s about demonstrating grassroots belief in an initiative built for public benefit, not private gain.

To learn more, visit: http//:itsamatterofprinciple.com

Bob Flynt