Our Charity Program

A simple overview of how card orders from Cards for Causes help support vetted U.S. charities.

The short version

  • Each year, we donate an amount equal to at least 10% of the net proceeds from qualifying greeting card sales to our charity partners.
  • At checkout, you can choose a charity from our partner list to direct your portion of the annual pool.
  • Donations are made by Cards for Causes, not by you or your business directly.
  • Your purchase is not a tax‑deductible charitable contribution. It’s a normal business or personal purchase.

How it works

  1. You place your order
    You buy cards the same way you would from any other premium card company. Pricing is straightforward; there are no add‑on “donation fees” or markups.

  2. You select a partner charity at checkout
    For qualifying products, you’ll see an option to pick a charity from our curated list of U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations. Your choice helps us allocate the yearly donation pool.

  3. We track net proceeds across all orders
    At year‑end, we calculate net proceeds from greeting card sales (after production, processing, and operating costs).

  4. We donate at least 10% of net proceeds
    Cards for Causes then donates an amount equal to at least 10% of those net proceeds to our charity partners. Each charity’s share is based on the proportion of total card revenue designated to that charity by customers throughout the year.

Who we support

We work with a curated list of U.S.‑based, IRS‑recognized 501(c)(3) charities.

  • All partners are independently established nonprofits with clear missions.
  • We periodically review the list to keep it focused and manageable.
  • At this time, we don’t accept new charity submissions or custom add‑ons.

You’ll see the current partner list wherever the charity‑selection option appears in checkout.

What this means for your business

For most businesses, card purchases from Cards for Causes are treated as normal business expenses (for example, client gifts or marketing / relationship‑building). Your accountant can help you decide how to categorize them on your books.

Because donations are made by us, based on overall net proceeds:

  • Your purchase itself is not a tax‑deductible charitable gift.
  • You don’t receive a charitable donation receipt from the charity for your order.

If tax treatment matters for your firm, please consult your tax advisor; this page is for general information only.

Common questions

Does 10% of my order go to charity?
We don’t calculate donations on a per‑order basis. Instead, we commit to donating an amount equal to at least 10% of total annual net proceeds from greeting card sales, and we allocate that pool across partner charities based on customer choices at checkout.

Are my purchases tax‑deductible as charitable donations?
No. Purchases from Cards for Causes are not tax‑deductible charitable contributions. They’re regular purchases from a for‑profit business that separately donates to charity.

Can I suggest a new charity?
Yes! We accept charity requests from any customer. If your preferred organization isn't on our list, you can submit a request two ways:

Just provide the charity's name and EIN. We verify against the IRS database automatically, and a team member reviews and approves within 1–2 business days. Once approved, it's available for your order.

Don't have the EIN? You can find it on the charity's website, a recent donation receipt, or by searching [ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer]

Do all products participate?
All greeting card products participate in the program. Envelopes, stamps, and service products (including but not limited to addressing, stuffing, stamping, and mailing) are not included in the program.

When does my chosen charity actually receive funds?
Donations are pooled and distributed through our donor-advised fund on a rolling basis. Smaller allocations may accumulate across years before reaching the minimum required for distribution, but every dollar is irrevocably committed to charity from the moment it's contributed. Nothing is forfeited, only deferred until it can be sent.

Why do some charities disappear from the list over time?
We periodically remove charities that haven't been selected by a customer in the last three years. This keeps the directory focused on the organizations our customers are actively supporting, and makes it easier to find the cause that matters to you. If a charity you've supported in the past is no longer listed, reach out and we can usually add it back.