Ebay, Walmart and McDonald's tops for in-store charity donations

Chicago -- Ebay, Walmart and McDonalds are tops when it comes to in-store charity donations, according to a study by Cause Marketing Forum that ranked the largest consumer donations at the point-of-sale last year. More than $358 million was raised in 2012 through a total of 63 corporate-backed charity checkout campaigns identified by Cause Marketing.



“American companies are bonding with consumers, turning on employees and raising big bucks for worthy groups by requesting donations at the point-of-sale,” stated David Hessekiel, president of Cause Marketing Forum. “This study is the first to recognize the leading programs, to measure how much they raise and to share best practices that will help companies and causes produce even more successful point of sale fundraising campaigns in the future.”



The largest in-store program of 2012 was a six-week Miracle Balloon Campaign by Walmart and Sam’s Club that raised $41.6 million to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since 1987, the annual campaign by Walmart and Sam’s Club has raised more than $556.8 million for CMNH.



The top donation-producing program in 2012 was eBay Giving Works, which generated more than $54 million for U.S. nonprofits. The year-long program encourages sellers to earmark a percentage of their sales proceeds to charity and also invites buyers to make voluntary contributions.



Walmart's and Sam’s Club's Miracle Balloon Campaign brought in $41.6 million to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since 1987, the annual campaign by Walmart and Sam’s Club has raised more than $556.8 million for CMNH.



At McDonald’s, the chain's coin donation box program, generated $27.9 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities via coins collection at register.