Pop Quiz.
- Have you ever used the Internet? (Obviously)
- Have you ever searched for something on the Internet using a Search Engine? (Half of Internet users do it on a daily basis)
- Have you ever purchased something online? (I know I have)
- Have you ever searched for something in an online mall that donates a percentage of your purchase straight to the charity of your choice, and even a couple of cents just for using the search engine itself? (Can’t say I have)
Wait…you can do that?
iSearchiGive.com is an Internet Search Engine powered by Yahoo! and the Internet’s first online shopping mall where a portion of each purchase is donated to your
favorite cause. They’ll even donate one or two cents just for using their search engine-no purchase required. And did I mention it’s a free service?
It almost sounds too good to be true: A no-strings-attached way to search or shop online and simultaneously donate to your favorite charity without even spending an extra penny. I had to give it a shot.
All I had to do was register my name, email address (so they could send me special offers…but only if I wanted them), and answered a few other questions, including privacy options and tax deduction info. I also had the option of making iSearchiGive my homepage and downloading an optional toolbar for your browser. After that I was good to go. I was immediately able to start browsing their over 700 stores (and good ones too like Best Buy, the Gap, Barnes and Noble), and see their rates. I even saw some stores that donated as much as 7% of your purchase back to your cause.
That was the iGive part. I then used the iSearch search engine and instantly generated $0.04(don’t laugh. It adds up) right back to our STL chapter just for performing two free searches. That’s it. It truly was that simple.
And if you think your "cents" don't make a difference, think about it this way: It takes less than a dollar to vaccinate a child against the Measles Virus through our
Measles Initiative. So perform 50 free searches (which you probably already do in a week) or make one of your purchases online through iGive instead of at the store, and you have already saved a life.
So if you use search engines, shop online, or want to make a difference, I highly recommend
iSearchiGive.com.
If you have tried the website, let us know what you think. Or if you know of more opportunites like this, we’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Lindsey