New fundraising platform turns greeting cards into donations

A new website is aiming to stem the millions of unwanted greeting cards sent every year – by getting people to donate money to charity instead.

DontSendMeACard.com is a new fundraising platform where users can ask their family and friends to make a donation instead of sending a card. It will come as a relief to the millions of people who believe greeting cards are a waste of money and natural resources.

Brits send an estimated two billion greeting cards every year – an average of 31 per person at a typical purchase price of £1.42.

Users of DontSendMeACard.com sign up for free and select a designated charity.
This creates a page which can be shared via Twitter and Facebook, encouraging friends and family to donate the equivalent value of the card to charity instead.

Founder Alex Furness said:  “From our Facebook page comments there is a clear divide between those who find it unfathomable to not send a card, and those who think they’re a waste of time and paper and agree that the money could be better spent.

“We’re never going to convince everyone to give up cards, and we don’t want to ‘kill’ the greeting card.

“But with the amount being spent, for those that would be happy to forgo a few cards, the combined amount can really do some good for these charities. You’d be amazed.

“It’s a really easy way to do something meaningful on special occasions.

“Plus you’re not putting loved ones out of pocket as they would have bought you cards anyway.”

Notes for Editors:

Alex is available for interviews, articles or quotes. 

Could work well for articles on: Fundraising, Reducing environmental impact, Online alternatives, Consumer options