Now you can move families out of poverty without even lifting a finger — or at least not more than one.
Amazon Smile, the simple and no-cost way to donate to a favorite charity like the United Way of Grays Harbor now works on the Amazon Shopping app for iPhone and Android.
That means it’s easier than ever to support our work anytime, anywhere.
Through its Amazon Smile program, Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice — at no cost to you. You’ll get the same prices, selection and service found on Amazon.com, but now Amazon gives 0.5% of its cut to a good cause.
Why use Amazon Smile
Sure, 50 cents on a $100 tablet might not seem like a huge donation. And it’s not a substitute for the generous contributions you regularly make to United Way of Grays Harbor through campaigns and events like The Black & White Gala.
But as any frequent Amazon shopper knows, your purchases add up.
Previously, Amazon Smile required the user to shop using their browser — either on a desktop computer or through the mobile browser on a smartphone.
That meant that when you shopped in the official Amazon app, you weren’t contributing to your chosen charity — even if you had already activated Amazon Smile.
By adding Amazon Smile to its official app, Amazon is making the program available anytime, anywhere. So now when you buy a blender from the back seat or a printer from the patio — the United Way of Grays Harbor still gets that 0.5%.
How to activate Amazon Smile on your iPhone or Android
Step 1: Join Amazon Smile
If you aren’t yet an Amazon Smile member, sign up at smile.amazon.com using a web browser (mobile or desktop). You’ll sign in with your Amazon credentials, and the site will walk you through the process.
Amazon will ask you to choose your favorite charity. This is where you search for and choose “United Way of Grays Harbor.”
Step 2: Open the Amazon Shopping app on your phone
If you don’t have the app already, download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Step 3: Open Settings within the app
Open Settings by tapping the three horizontal lines (aka the “hamburger”) at the top left and tapping “Settings.”
Step 4: Tap Amazon Smile. On some versions you have to tap Gifting & Charities first.
Step 5: Tap the button for “Turn on Amazon Smile”
You’ll need to follow the three-step setup process. Note that Amazon requires you to turn on notifications to be able to use Amazon Smile on your phone.
Step 6: Make note of your renewal date
Amazon asks that you renew your Amazon Smile donation every six months. This is easy but required. When six months are up, you’ll have to choose your favorite charity again. If you don’t, purchases made until you do will not count.
Step 7: Confirm that Amazon Smile is active before your next purchase
Look for Amazon Smile at the top of the app as you browse. You’ll also see your chosen charity on the confirmation screen.
THAT'S IT. SUPER EASY & FREE. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!