Frequently asked questions

Webshops pay ShopDonation a commission when you go to the webshop through us and buy something. We turn that commission into a donation to the cause you chose. You shop at the same webshops, for the same prices. Together we redistribute commercial profits to the good in society.

Transparency is the basis of ShopDonation: everyone can check for themselves that everything works as intended.

What you can see

• Every cause page shows how much the cause has raised through ShopDonation.
• Users and causes see all purchases, donations and the status of each purchase in their account.
• For every donation you see when it will be paid out, or when it was paid out.
• After every purchase you get an email confirming your donation.

Payouts

We pay the causes every quarter. Buyers and causes can check every payout, back to the very first purchase since ShopDonation started.

Automatic

Webshops enter the commissions in our system themselves. They automatically become donations. We cannot change those amounts. Every day, hundreds of users and causes check how ShopDonation works this way. Still in doubt? Try it yourself with a purchase and get a confirmation of your donation.

What we never do

We never sell your data. Not to webshops, not to causes, not to anyone. Webshops, causes or other users never get your name or email address from us.

What we get from webshops

Nothing that tells us who you are: no name, address or other personal data. Only the purchase and an anonymous code that links it to your account.

Services that help us run the site

We only share anonymous data, and only with these essential services:

• Google Analytics: anonymous figures on how the site is used, only if you allow it.
• Microsoft Clarity: anonymous recordings of how visitors use our pages (clicks and scrolling), only if you allow it.
• Google Maps: shows where a cause is, only if you allow it.
• Affiliate networks (such as Awin, CJ and Impact): register your purchase so your cause receives the donation.

You switch Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity and Google Maps on or off in the cookie settings. The affiliate networks are always on: without them your cause receives no donation.

Your account

• You can choose an anonymous username. Causes only see that name next to a donation.
• Your email address is never shown to other users, causes or webshops.
• If you delete your account, we delete your personal data. Your purchases stay without your name, so the donations still reach your cause.

Yes. Report it via My purchases > Claims: choose the purchase and say which cause it should go to.

Yes. We are currently the only one offering this service in several countries. This way causes can receive structural donations from supporters all over the world. On shopdonation.org you can see the countries where we are active.

ShopDonation works with webshops that take part in affiliate marketing via a network such as Awin, CJ or Impact.

How it works

Register your webshop with an affiliate network. That network handles the tracking: it sees that a buyer came via ShopDonation and assigns the commission. ShopDonation is connected to these networks. Is your webshop already part of a network? Then invite ShopDonation via that network to partner with you.

No. Prices do not go up and there are no extra costs. The webshops pay the donation. Using ShopDonation is 100% free.

Yes. We make agreements with webshops about exclusive deals and discounts. Through ShopDonation it is sometimes even cheaper than buying directly at the webshop. The more attractive shopping through ShopDonation is, the more support your cause gets.

No, you collect just as many points as when you go to the webshop directly.

Yes. In our webshop overview you will find the category Business. Business purchases are often recurring. This gives a cause structural support. Do you know a company that wants to join? Tell them about it. Most companies are surprised that it costs nothing extra. Read more about business purchases or contact us.

After your purchase, it can take up to 48 hours before you see the donation in your account and receive a confirmation email.

No donation after 48 hours? Report your purchase

Report the purchase via My purchases > Claims. Don't contact the webshop yourself. Our partnership includes the agreement that we contact the webshops.

Most common cause

You clicked through to the webshop earlier via another website, such as a discount code or comparison website. The commission then goes to that website.

How to prevent this next time?

Read what can cause purchases not to be tracked.

A purchase is only credited to ShopDonation when your click from ShopDonation reaches the webshop properly. Only then does ShopDonation receive a commission and does the donation go to your cause.

Most common cause

You clicked through to the webshop earlier via another website, such as a discount code or comparison website. The commission then goes to that website. At some webshops, a click on a Google ad also counts as a click via another website. Already clicked via another website? Then use another device on another internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data), on which that click was not made.

Before you click

• Click via ShopDonation again for every purchase. Don't save the webshop's link yourself.
• Turn off extensions of cashback, reward or discount code websites.
• Make sure your shopping cart is empty when you arrive at the webshop.

While ordering

• Accept the webshop's cookies.
• Complete your purchase in one tab and on one device, up to the thank-you page.
• Order via the browser, not via the app, and not by phone or live chat.
• Only use discount codes from ShopDonation.

Settings on your device

Don't use a VPN or proxy server. Don't block cookies in your browser, and don't set the cookie settings to 'very strict'. Office computers often use this setting.

More info: read how the tracking system works.

Missed a purchase anyway?

Still no donation 48 hours after your purchase? Report the purchase via My purchases > Claims.

Every initiative with a social goal can sign up for free, for example:

• a charity, foundation or association
• a school, sports club or hospital
• a citizens' initiative, social enterprise or personal initiative
• a sponsorship campaign, music group, art or science project

Good to know

It works like crowdfunding: a foundation or registered charity status is not needed. Not the initiator yourself? Then you need their permission. Read how much you can raise.

Tax

Do you receive donations on a personal bank account? Then you may have to pay tax on them. Check this with a tax advisor.

Checks

We check all causes for correct information as well as we can. Does a cause later turn out to give incorrect information? Then we can reclaim the donations and the shoppers choose another cause. Want money back from your own purchases? Then use a cashback website.

ShopDonation gives your cause an ongoing source of income. That is hard to find for non-profits. We are the only one offering this worldwide. This way you raise donations from several countries. Read how much you can expect.

ShopDonation pays out 4 times a year (per quarter), to every cause that has raised at least $50.

Payout moments

• January: purchases from July to September
• April: purchases from October to December
• July: purchases from January to March
• October: purchases from April to June

Why wait 3 months?

A purchase can often be returned for up to 2 months (or longer). The commission then lapses, and with it the donation. Only when the purchase has the status 'approved' is the donation included in the payout.

Raised less than $50?

The amount moves on to the next quarter, until $50 is reached.

Check the status

In the live transaction overview of your cause you can see the status of each purchase and in which quarter it was paid out.

Payouts from multiple countries

Each ShopDonation platform works separately per country, with its own minimum amount. Use Wise for low transaction fees. An account is free, and via our link your first transfer is free too.

Is your cause stopping?

Then we also pay out an amount below $50. Does the cause no longer exist? Then the amount can go to another cause. That cause confirms it has received the money.

Every month we put one cause in the spotlight, through our social media. The cause is also shown as a recommended cause for new users. Condition: the website or social media of the cause mentions ShopDonation. You will find texts and posts in the toolkit.

How we choose

• Inspiration: how meaningful the initiative is.
• Transparency: how clearly the cause shows what happens with the money.
• Involvement: how actively the cause promotes ShopDonation.

Causes can switch off any webshop for their shoppers. Are you a shopper? Ask the cause to switch off the webshop. After that you no longer see that webshop as long as that cause is chosen.

The cause can sign up for free here.