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In the nonprofit world, there were, to put it mildly, a lot of challenges to be surmounted in the past year. However, 2009 was not all bad, and some of the more interesting "good news" that has surfaced included the information that funds raised by charitable organizations through eBay jumped 17 % in 2009, totaling over 50 million.
Not only did people and corporations donate through eBay, but it's "Giving Works" program also allowed nonprofits to sell or auction items on eBay, with minimal processing fees. According to an eBay news release, "by offering an out-of-the box, commerce-focused solution for online fundraising, the program has also provided nonprofit organizations around the world a creative and highly flexible new way to generate funds when charitable giving is at an all-time low."
For example, in 2009, the San Francisco chapter of Goodwill Industries raised more than $44,000 per month by selling donated goods online, and a small nonprofit (The Blind Center of Nevada) developed a job skills training program that refurbishes electronics and resells them on eBay, with 100 percent of the sales going back to the Center.
According to the eBay press release, "a recent study conducted by Columbia Business School in late 2009 of eBay shopping behavior verified the philanthropic instincts of the eBay community, indicating that eBay buyers are actually willing to pay more to do good. Results showed that an eBay Giving Works item advertising that 10 percent of proceeds will be given to charity is nearly 20 percent more likely to sell than its non-charity equivalent, and at a two percent higher price."
The most money raised for charity from a single listing on eBay in 2009 was $1.68 million for a power lunch with Warren Buffett benefiting the Glide Foundation. To read the complete article, go to http://www.ebayinc.com/#20091221005499 | 
