Giving Works – eBay Community Raises $50 Million in ‘09

Pete Prestipino — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:23:00 GMT

Despite a consumer spending pullback, eBay buyers and sellers managed to raise a record $50 million for U.S. and U.K. nonprofit organizations so far in 2009.

Users of eBay’s Giving Works program have raised more than $162 million since its launch in 2003. Today, over $91 is raised for good causes every minute.

There are five ways to participate in Giving Works. Most sellers will be familiar with Community Selling, where sellers donate part of their sale price to a nonprofit. Sellers decide which organization to support and how much to give (and receive a tax deduction for their gift. Other options include Direct Selling (nonprofits sell items on eBay with eBay waiving most fees), Give at Checkout, Donate Now, and Shop eBay Giving Works wherein each item posted by a community or Direct Seller bears the eBay Giving Works blue and yellow charity ribbon.

“The eBay community has proven time and again that small actions, when brought to scale, can have a big impact,” said eBay Inc. CEO John Donahoe. “It’s what makes the eBay marketplace so unique, and what enables our community to do good things for causes they believe in. I want to thank every single buyer and seller who connected through eBay and gave back to their communities through eBay Giving Works. Your generosity this year, especially in such a tough economy, isn’t just impressive – it’s inspiring. We’re looking forward to helping you do even more good next year.”

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Giving Works – eBay Community Raises $50 Million in ‘09