Company Aims to Ease 'Charitable Fatigue'

With so many recent natural disasters happening around the world, people are being asked for charitable donations like never before. Many who wish to help might find the donation process frustrating and confusing, but want to do more.

"'Charitable fatigue' is a buzz-phrase used to hide a real problem small and mid-sized charities are facing in the aftermath of a full year of natural disasters," says Robert Grosshandler of iGive.com.

To make it easier for consumers to give to charitable causes, iGive.com, founded in 1997, turned online shopping into a vehicle for charitable giving. Consumers can help their favorite causes by shopping at online shop. The site features more than 650 well-known retailers, such as The Gap, Barnes & Noble, Home Depot and eBay.

"At iGive we have a solution that puts money shoppers are spending anyway into the coffers of their favorite charity, not one chosen by the store," Grosshandler said. "It's a 'win-win' and more people are discovering this 'painless' way to give every day."

Shoppers support any cause they wish by registering at the site, where they can track their donations. Shoppers have raised close to $2 million through iGive.com for nonprofit organizations and worthy causes, including animal shelters, school marching bands, medical research foundations, women's shelters and missing children's advocacy groups.

The site has also proven to be useful for celebrity causes. Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell helped raise funds for "The Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids" at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Ky., and raised more than $14,000 through iGive.com.

Other causes using iGive.com include: For the Love of Animals; San Pedro High School Lady Boosters; Scotia Glenville Traveling Children's Museum; Shady Grove United Methodist Church; Sonoma State University Athletics; and thousands of others.

"Give as you shop for everyday items such as office supplies, clothing, accessories, appliances ... at prices that are the same if not better than you'll find anywhere else and up to 27 percent of every purchase will go to your favorite charity," Grosshandler said.