How does this work?

Shop.EarthShare.org is a unique online shopping mall where you can shop for the things you would normally buy, from the brands you would normally choose, and at the prices you would normally pay. Here's the best part - when you shop through this site, you're also helping EarthShare benefit from all your purchases. EarthShare has licensed its name to Nonprofit Shopping Mall, LLC (NPSM), the developer of this unique website, which uses this online shopping site to drive a new revenue stream of unrestricted funds into EarthShare's annual budget. Here's how it works:

• All of the retailers and/or service providers listed on the site pay a commission to NPSM for sales that originate through the website. NPSM then donates a significant portion of those payments to EarthShare. The percentage noted beneath each retailer's logo represents the percentage of each consumer's purchase that will be donated to EarthShare. That percentage varies from retailer to retailer, and is fully disclosed on this site, along with direct links to the retailers' sites.
• The percentage of sales that will benefit EarthShare is based on the product sales price after any discounts or coupons, and excludes state sales taxes and shipping fees. Some retailers do not pay sales commissions on certain items purchased through their websites, so purchases of those items will not benefit EarthShare. For example, Wedding Registry Gifts often fall into this exceptions category. Please visit the retailers' web pages for a list of their exclusions.

Does it cost more to shop through this site? Do I have to pay membership fees or anything extra?

No. Prices and services are the exact same you've come to expect from your favorite retail stores. No extra fees or memberships are required.

Tell me about the EZ Shopper Widget - why should I download it?

The EZ Shopper Widget is an automated shop+give reminder and tracking system. Once the EZ Shopper Widget software is downloaded onto your computer, it will ensure that all of your purchases benefit EarthShare each time you shop online with any of the retailers listed on this site. And - it will continue to do so until you decide to uninstall it. The widget does what we humans don't always do - it always remembers to track your purchases to support EarthShare, no matter where you start your shopping experience. So if you forget to go through this site and go directly to one of our retailers, the EZ Shopper Widget will still capture that purchase and designate EARTHSHARE as the beneficiary of the sale.

• The EZ Shopper Widget has been designed for two different browser platforms -- Internet Explorer (IE) and Firefox. While the Firefox widget performs equally well on both MAC and PC, 70% of the population uses IE as its default browser. The widget works best on a computer's default browser. If you're a MAC user, it's really simple - go with the Firefox download - but if you're an IE user you would download the desktop IE widget, as the Firefox widget does not support Internet Explorer when it's a computer's default browser.
• Instructions on how to download both versions of the widget will display once you click on the "Download The EZ Shopper" button.
• After installation, shopping online and supporting EarthShare with your everyday online purchases is just a matter of course.

Do I have to begin shopping from this site or can I just go directly to the retailer's site?

If you've downloaded the EZ Shopper Widget to your computer, any purchases you make from any listed retailer's website will benefit EarthShare even if you don't start shopping from this site. Otherwise, you must begin on this site in order for EarthShare to benefit from your online shopping. This is the only way a retailer can recognize that your purchase originated from this site, and the only way to ensure that a portion of the proceeds from your purchases go to EarthShare.

I received a special offer from a retailer via email. If I go to their link via their direct email, will the nonprofit I designated on the NPSM site still benefit from the sale?

Generally, you must begin your shopping excursion from this site in order for EarthShare to benefit. If you received a special coupon code or discount offer from a retailer, you can still use the coupon when you shop with that retailer from this site. Just be sure to include the discount or coupon code in your checkout process.

If you've downloaded the EZ Shopper Widget to your computer, you can simply click on the retailer's email link and the EZ Shopper Widget will track your sales to ensure that they benefit EarthShare.

Can I treat the percentage amounts from my purchases that are designated to go to EarthShare as a tax-deductible donation?

No. The money that goes to EarthShare is being paid by NPSM, not by you, the consumer. Since it is not a direct donation, you cannot treat it as a tax-deductible contribution.

How safe is it to use my credit card when shopping through NPSM?

Each of the retailers listed on this site are well-regarded and have been carefully selected based on their reputation. You will be purchasing directly from the retailer. Neither EarthShare nor NPSM have any access to your credit card or other personal information. The retailers' individual security and privacy policies can be found on each of their unique sites.

Thank you for supporting EarthShare!