5 things that happened in the Charity sector this week - 20th January

Makerble Charity Roundup

Amazon shutting down the AmazonSmile charity programme

For almost a decade Amazon has been running AmazonSmile, a donations programme that allowed buyers to give to charity with each purchase at no extra cost to the customer. The company announced that it will be shutting down the programme by the 20th of February, as it did not “grow to create the impact that [was] originally hoped”. Amazon has donated almost $500 million over the last decade. It claims the impact was minimised by the fact the programme was spread too thin, with over 1 million eligible organisations around the world. However, critics have speculated that this is no more than a cost-cutting tactic.

 

Over 100 charities call on government to help most vulnerable heat their homes

Over 100 charities sent an open letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt calling for a social tariff for the energy market to support older and disabled households. Age UK’s polling shows that 24 per cent of over-60s and 27 per cent of older disabled people are living in colder conditions at home than they would like. Organisations like Age UK and Scope have expressed concern that even as the weather gets warmer many older and disabled people will face struggles as universal energy support comes to an end in April. People relying on medical equipment, for example, are facing a daily struggle to heat their homes and keep the equipment running. The open letter has called for targeted support for people on means-tested benefits, disability benefits, Carer’s Allowance, and those that may not qualify for welfare support but are still struggling with their energy bills.

 

Guardian and Observer raise £1.5m for charities tackling cost of living crisis

The Guardian and Observer charity appeal has closed, having raised over £1.5m over a 38-day campaign, with donations from more than 13,400 people. The money will aid charities working on the frontline of the cost-of-living crisis. It will be split between Citizens Advice and Locality and will go towards local services in the most deprived communities in the UK, helping provide emergency food banks, warm rooms, mental health services, and debt and housing advice.

 

CEO to cycle to Ukraine to raise money for landmine charity

CEO Tom Hashemi is embarking on a journey from London to Lviv, Ukraine to raise money for the Mines Advisory Group. The route will be 2,000km which he will cycle over the course for two weeks in April. He was inspired to organise the ride when he found out that children are particularly likely to be mine casualties when out playing. He hopes to raise £20,000. It costs approximately £500 to clear one landmine and he plans to raise enough to clear at least 40.

 

Fast approaching early bird entry deadline for Business Charity Awards

The Third Sector Business Charity Award are an amazing opportunity to showcase a collaboration between a not-for-profit organisation and a corporate partner. There is a list of 20 categories you can enter, including Best Response to the Cost-of-Living Crisis, which is a new category and is free to enter. The early bird entry deadline is just a few days away, on Thursday the 26th of January. Follow this link to enter https://www.businesscharityawards.com/

 

Sources

https://www.engadget.com/amazon-shutting-down-amazonsmile-charity-program-061835108.html

https://www.familyfund.org.uk/news/over-100-charities-call-to-introduce-new-social-tariff

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/16/guardian-and-observer-charity-appeal-closes-with-more-than-15m-raised

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64330246

https://www.businesscharityawards.com/