When websites or companies say “ for every ____ we will plant a tree” or “donate a grain of rice” (like freerice.com) why can’t they just donate those things without users doing whatever simple thing on their website?

Question

When websites or companies say “ for every ____ we will plant a tree” or “donate a grain of rice” (like freerice.com) why can’t they just donate those things without users doing whatever simple thing on their website?

In: Economics

Answer 1

1) It costs money… they’re basically saying they’ll divert a % of each sale toward that charity. 2) It’s a way of compelling a sale, since something good happens, too… it’s a win-win situation, where company makes a sale AND something good is done for a charity so the customer can feel good about helping out a bit

Answer 2

It makes customers feel good about themselves, as though they themselves donated something.
Essentially the corporations or whomever are cashing in on that feel good emotion and the desire to give.

Answer 3

To add, as other’s said, it’s good PR to donate, and it drives sales. Also, charitable donations are tax deductible, so it’s not YOU who are donating to the charity, but THE CORPORATION who is donating. You don’t get the deduction, the company does. It lowers their tax burden and companies don’t do these things unless it benefits their bottom line – they’re not losing out on profits making that donation, they’re making more.