Last updated on March 17th, 2023
When it comes to making the world a better place, every little bit helps. Charity credit cards make it easier than ever to do your part by turning every purchase into a donation.
What is a charity credit card?
Charity credit cards are a wonderful combination of practical and philanthropic. People to support a good cause through their everyday purchases – and without taking money out of their own pocket. There are cards for a number of causes such as saving the environment, fighting cancer, or supporting education. Sometimes referred to as ‘socially responsible credit cards’ or ‘green credit cards’ this niche type of credit card generates funds for non-profit organizations by taking a percentage of each transaction which is then donated (usually automatically) to the respective organization. Simply swipe and donate! Not only could your everyday purchases be used to fund a wonderful cause, but donations generated through your card are tax-deductible, and can add up to a sweet reward come tax season. While the donation amount varies from card to card, you can choose from a range of charitable organizations and causes to fund. We perused every charitable credit card out there to bring you the ones with the most generous donation rates, the widest reach, and cardholder perks. Read on to learn about the 9 best charity credit cards of 2019 and the wonderful organizations that they support.
If you can’t decide on a single charitable organization:
Charity Charge Mastercard®
Since their inception in 2016, Charity Charge has been praised in Forbes, FastCompany, and The Huffington Post for being the most versatile credit card for donating to charity. Cardholders can earn an unlimited 1% towards up to 3 organizations, charities, or K-12 schools of their choice (which can be changed at any time). To apply for the Charity Charge Mastercard® search for the charitable organization you’d like to contribute to, enter your name and email, and you’ll then be directed to the application. There over 2 million charitable organizations to choose from and all earning are automatically donated to the designated organization. All generated donations are tax-deductible, upon which Charity Charge will provide a detailed tax receipt for your convenience.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Donation Amount: 1% of all transactions
- Card Issuer: Commerce Bank
If you want to donate to a cause that protects animals:
World Wildlife Fund Credit Card
If you’re passionate about protecting animals and the environment, then the WWF credit card will be an extremely rewarding card option for you. Although transactions will only earn 0.08% towards the World Wildlife Fund, the card from Bank of American is one of the few charity credit cards that will also earn cash back for yourself. Earn 3% cash back for the category of your choice, 2% cash back on all other purchases, and 1% cash back for everything else. The WWF will receive $3 for every account that’s opened and for every year that it remains open.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Donation Amount: $3 per year that the account remains open; 0.08% of every transaction
- Card Issuer: Bank of America
Defenders of Wildlife Cash Rewards Visa Signature®
Help protect endangered species of North America with Defenders of Wildlife, a non-profit organization that defends animals both in the wild and in the courthouse. They have a strong political presence and are very active in environmental legislation. As with the other Bank of America charity cards, earn 3% cash back for the category of your choice, 2% cash back on all other purchases, and 1% cash back for everything else. Every $100 spent will earn 5 cents towards the organization and they will receive a bonus $1 for every account that’s opened.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Donation Amount: $1 for every account opened (one-time); 0.05% of every transaction
- Card Issuer: Bank of America
National Wildlife Federation Cash Rewards Visa Signature®
The National Wildlife Federation is the largest nonprivate conservation education and advocacy organization in the United States. They have a presence in all 52 states and have actively been fighting to preserve wildlife habitats since 1936. Cardholders will earn 3% cash back for the category of your choice, 2% cash back on all other purchases, and 1% cash back for everything else. For every account that’s opened and for every year that it remains open.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Donation Amount: $3 upon account opening and for every; 0.05% of every transaction
- Card Issuer: Bank of America
Farm Sanctuary Visa®
Farm Sanctuary is the country’s largest farm animal rescue organization. They’re committed to ending cruelty to farm animals through legislation and in-person interaction within the community, and also seek to educate the populace about the adverse consequences of factory farms. Farm Sanctuary will receive $50 for every new card that is opened and used within 90 days of approval. They’ll also receive an unlimited 0.50% of every retail purchase, which comes out to $0.50 per $100 spent. Cardholders get to customize their credit card and choose from a selection of five adorable farm animals.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Donation Amount: $50 upon account opening, donation of 0.50% of every transaction
- Card Issuer: UMB Bank
If you want to protect the environment:
The Nature Conservancy Cash Rewards Visa Signature®
operates in over 72 countries and is committed to tackling climate change, protecting ecologically important land and waters, while educating the world about sustainability. Earn 3% cash back for the category of your choice, 2% cash back on all other purchases, and 1% cash back for everything else. Every $100 spent will earn 5 cents towards the organization and they will earn a one-time $3 bonus for every account that’s opened.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Donation Amount: $3 per year that the account remains open; 0.05% of every transaction
- Card Issuer: Bank of America
Arbor Day Foundation Rewards Visa®
Support reforestation and conservation efforts with the Arbor Day Foundation who has partnered with local and international communities to protect the world’s trees. One of the most impactful charity credit cards out there, the foundation will receive $50 per card that is opened and $0.25 cents per $100 spent. Additionally, cardholders themselves will earn 3% cash back for coffee shops, fast food, and ride-sharing services; 2% back for gas and restaurants; and 1% back for all other purchases. Cash back is automatically redeemed for statement credit.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Donation Amount: $50 for every card opening (one-time donation), 0.25% of every transaction
- Card Issuer: Commerce Bank
If you want to help fund the cure for breast cancer:
Stand Up To Cancer® Credit Card
(SU2C) is an organization where 100% of their received donations go towards supporting innovative cancer research. They fund multidisciplinary and collaborative cancer research projects for a unique approach to better connect “different pieces of the cancer puzzle.” The organization will earn $5 for every year that the card is active, as well $0.20 for every $100 spent. Cardholders also get a little something in return and will earn 1 Real Life Rewards point per dollar spent. These rewards can then be redeemed for gift cards, cash deposits, or as a statement credit. You’ll have to visit a branch in-person in order to apply.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Donation Amount: $5 per year that the account is active; 0.2% of every transaction
- Card Issuer: Fifth Third Bank
Susan G. Komen® Cash Rewards Visa®
has received over $9.5 million since partnering with Bank of America in 2009. Each transaction will earn $0.08 for every $100 spent. Cardholders will earn 3% cash back for the category of your choice, 2% cash back on all other purchases, and 1% cash back for everything else. The Susan G. Komen Association will receive $3 for every account that’s opened and for every year that it remains open.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Donation Amount: $3 per year that the account remains open; 0.08% of every transaction
- Card Issuer: Bank of America
Final Thoughts
Charitable credit cards usually don’t have an annual fee, which makes it that much easier to decide to put your dollars to good use, but don’t expect to generate huge donations towards your favorite non-profit organization. Most transactions will earn less than pennies on the dollar for every purchase you make – so if you’re truly passionate about a cause and want to make an impactful difference, we also recommend you visit the site and make a direct donation. There are also plenty of other responsible credit cards out there like the Green America Visa, and the Big Cat Rescue Affinity Card, however, we decided against included the credit cards that lacked rate and fee information. You don’t need to be a saint to want to give back to your community and apply for a charitable credit card. These cards offer altruists a practical way to fund their purchases, while also generating much-needed funding for the organizations that protect our ecosystems, waterways, animals, and health. If you’re ready to make a difference through your everyday spending, consider applying for a charity credit card and turn your daily expenditures into a chance to make the world a better place.
