eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace and leader in cause-related commerce, said today that the company’s users generated a record $63 million, or $120 a minute for charitable causes – a 15 percent increase over the prior year. In addition, the company’s PayPal division processed $3 billion in transactions for more than 200,000 nonprofit organizations – a 31 percent year-over-year increase.
“eBay and PayPal strive every day to make a difference in the world, and cause-related commerce is a powerful way we help merchants and consumers easily and generously give to nonprofits and support people and communities in need,” said John Donahoe, President and CEO of eBay, Inc. “We are committed to using our global commerce platforms and technologies to drive social innovation and create scalable, measurable impact.”
Through its eBay Giving Works platform in North America and the UK, eBay enables anyone, anytime to easily support favorite charities and causes while shopping for the perfect item. In 2011, eBay also launched eBay Celebrity, a unique shopping destination that combines celebrity experiences, memorabilia and merchandise with philanthropic causes.
eBay is the platform of choice for celebrities looking to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes, and 2011 was a landmark year for the company’s cause-related commerce efforts: an auction featuring limited edition Nike Mag sneakers raised millions for The Michael J. Fox Foundation – eBay’s biggest charitable auction ever – and Warren Buffet’s annual lunch auction sold for a record $2.63 million, supporting Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.
In addition to innovative fundraising tools and giving platforms, eBay and PayPal enable socially conscious consumers to respond quickly, generously and securely to disasters around the world. In 2011, for example, the eBay community donated $6 million for relief efforts in the wake of the earthquake in Japan. And $3.3 million was donated to help end the hunger crisis in the horn of Africa.
“We are incredibly grateful to eBay users for their consistent generosity, and to the eBay team for enabling its buyers and sellers to do good in the world,” said Nancy Roman, Director of Communications and Private Partnerships of the World Food Program. “The eBay platform empowers nonprofits like ours to reach millions of compassionate people and receive donations quickly and securely.”
To stay informed about causes on eBay and PayPal, “Like” eBay Giving Works on Facebook and follow eBay Giving Works and PayPal for Nonprofits on Twitter.