Merging e-commerce with a good cause (or many, for that matter), an online shopping mall offering nothing but products for charitable ventures called Filanthropists.com has announced its grand opening.
The site was founded with the goal of becoming the main online network through which charities and retail merchants engage in fundraising through charity shopping, defined as “the sale of a product, known as a ‘cause product,’ from which a portion of the proceeds is donated to charity.” Online shoppers can become socially conscious consumers through the mall and be assured that their purchases are helping their favorite causes.
Originally the site was developed by Filomena Laforgia to benefit Autism-related organizations, after her own son was diagnosed with the disease. After a fair amount of research into cause products, however, she decided the project could do much more on a larger scale. Filanthropists.com, playing on the founder’s own first name, was born.
“I’m excited to announce our official grand opening after the successful completion of our ‘soft launch.’ During this time we’ve gained additional traction in both the marketplace and the media,” said Laforgia. “We continue to add exciting new cause products that have increased and expanded our product categories. New nonprofit organizations are finalizing their plans to come onboard shortly, and even more have expressed interest in joining our network. I’m empowered by our positive traction to date and look forward to the future.”
The nonprofit organizations hosted by Filanthropists.com represent a diverse range of causes that include: AIDS, Animal Rights, Autism (ASD), Breast Cancer, Education, Environmental Conservation, Human Services, Human Trafficking, Medical Research, Ovarian Cancer, Suicide Prevention, Wildlife Preservation, and many more.
Across these causes are the company’s current roster of participating organizations that consist of American Forests, Autism Speaks, Born Free USA, Broadway Cares/EFAids, Cancer Schmancer Movement, Coalition for Mercury-Free Drugs (CoMeD), CODEPINK, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation, The Ellie Fund, Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation, Girlygirl PARTS, Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, It Takes A Village, PETA, Room To Grow, SafeMinds, Sea Turtle Restoration Project, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education – SAVE, The Josh Beckett Foundation, The Tara Ann Ralph Foundation, Until There’s A Cure, and WriteGirl.
Shoppers will find a diverse range of product categories on the site, including apparel, jewelry, fashion accessories, handbags, home accessories, toys, books, stationary, beauty, music, and wine.
Check out the site yourself at www.Filanthropists.com and leave us a comment with your thoughts!
