Amazon Smile

Now you can support Knights of Saint Joseph without lifting a finger — or at least not more than one.

AmazonSmile, the simple and no-cost way to donate to a favorite charity like the Knights of Saint Joseph, now works on the Amazon Shopping app for iPhone and Android.

That means it’s easier than ever to support our work anytime, anywhere.

Through its AmazonSmile program, Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice — at no cost to you. You’ll get the same prices, selection and service found on Amazon.com, but now Amazon gives 0.5% of its cut to a good cause.

Why use AmazonSmile

Sure, 50 cents on a $100 tablet might not seem like a huge donation. And it’s not a substitute for your generous contributions to Knights of Saint Joseph through campaigns like March for Meals or End of Year Giving.

But as any frequent Amazon shopper knows, your purchases add up.

Previously, AmazonSmile required the user to shop using their browser — either on a desktop computer or through the mobile browser on a smartphone.

That meant that when you shopped in the official Amazon app, you weren’t contributing to your chosen charity — even if you had already activated AmazonSmile.

By adding AmazonSmile to its official app, Amazon is making the program available anytime, anywhere. So now when you buy a blender from the back seat or a printer from the patio — Knights of Saint Joseph still gets that 0.5%.

How to activate AmazonSmile on your iPhone or Android

Step 1: Join AmazonSmile

If you aren’t yet an AmazonSmile member, sign up at smile.amazon.com using a web browser (mobile or desktop). You’ll sign in with your Amazon credentials, and the site will walk you through the process.

Amazon will ask you to choose your favorite charity. This is where you search for and choose “Knights of Saint Joseph”

Step 2: Open the Amazon Shopping app on your phone

If you don’t have the app, download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Step 3: Open Settings within the app

Open Settings by tapping the three horizontal lines (aka the “hamburger”) at the top left and tapping “Settings.”

Step 4: Tap AmazonSmile

Step 5: Tap the button for “Turn on AmazonSmile”

You’ll need to follow the three-step setup process. Note that Amazon requires you to turn on notifications to use AmazonSmile on your phone.

Step 6: Make a note of your renewal date

Amazon asks that you renew your AmazonSmile donation every six months. This is easy but required. When six months are up, you’ll have to choose your favorite charity again. If you don’t, purchases made until you do will not count.

Step 7: Confirm that AmazonSmile is active before your next purchase

Look for AmazonSmile at the top of the app as you browse. You’ll also see your chosen charity on the confirmation screen.