National Federation of the Blind Launches Fundraising Campaign on eBay to Increase its Critical Services

BALTIMORE, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) announced today that it will be a featured nonprofit on eBay this month, offering everyone the opportunity to buy, sell, or donate to support NFB's job training programs.

Between January 31, and February 6, eBay buyers will be given the option of adding a $1 to $25 donation to the NFB when they make a purchase on eBay.  In addition to donating at checkout, supporters can also go to the "Workin' It" campaign page to make a direct donation to the NFB or to buy or sell items that support the NFB. 

The NFB has been part of the eBay Giving Works program since 2009.  Since the eBay Giving Works program was created in 2003, eBay buyers and sellers have raised $230 million for U.S. and U.K. charities, and there are currently 650,000 items listed on the marketplace that benefit nonprofits, all designated with a blue and yellow ribbon.  The program offers several easy ways to support a cause on eBay: sellers can donate a percentage of anything they sell, buyers can add a donation to anything they buy, anyone can make an immediate cash donation, and nonprofits can sell directly to raise funds. eBay users can support the NFB throughout the year whenever they buy and sell on eBay, simply by saving the NFB as their favorite nonprofit and donating 10–100% every time they create a listing, or donating as little as $1 every time they check out.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The NFB is pleased with our relationship with eBay, a company that is demonstrating true vision and leadership by creating exciting opportunities for blind Americans.  Being featured during the checkout process of the world's largest online marketplace is a wonderful opportunity not only to raise funds to improve the lives of blind Americans, but also to raise awareness about our organization and break down misconceptions about the true capacities of the blind.  We thank eBay for this opportunity and look forward to continuing our work together."

In September 2010, the NFB and eBay announced a partnership to increase employment and business opportunities for blind Americans.  eBay.com now includes enhanced features for users to buy, bid and sell using the keyboard alone, as well as improved ways to navigate content using assistive technologies such as screen access software.  The blind can now more easily connect with eBay's 92 million users and shop from 200 million live listings.

For more information about the NFB, please visit www.nfb.org.  

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. 

About eBay Giving Works

eBay Giving Works, powered by MissionFish, is a trusted and effective program for nonprofit fundraising, helping people support their favorite causes easily and conveniently on eBay. Sellers can donate part, or all, of a sale to a participating nonprofit of their choice and nonprofits can turn in-kind donations into unrestricted funding. Buyers can easily find opportunities to support nonprofits while shopping on eBay and anyone with a PayPal account can safely make an online donation to fund a nonprofit's extraordinary work.

SOURCE National Federation of the Blind