What if even a fraction of the $20 billion generated by search engine advertisers and online shopping was directed toward improving the quality of life in Wyoming?

That’s what’s happening with GoodShop.com. Consumers are helping their favorite causes by shopping at GoodShop.com, where they can choose from over 500 well-known retailers, including Target, Apple, Macy’s, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, and others. The shopping experience and the prices are exactly the same as going to the retailer directly, but by going through GoodShop, up to 37 percent of the purchase price is donated to the user’s favorite cause.

Similarly, with the GoodSeach.com search engine (powered by Yahoo!), approximately one cent is donated to the user’s favorite charity with every search. It works exactly the same as any other search engine, and the pennies add up quickly – just 100 people searching twice a day will earn around $730 in a year. It doesn’t cost the users a thing.

The Wyoming Community Foundation is now registered with both GoodSearch and GoodShop, giving its supporters a chance to raise money for the cause every time they search or shop the Internet. The goal is to earn $3000 through the site during the first year, which will be directed toward the WYCF’s unrestricted grantmaking funds. The interest generated from the investment of donations to these funds goes to address ever-changing needs within the state of Wyoming that may not be addressed by other funds that the Foundation manages.

More than 50,000 nonprofits are now actively generating revenue via GoodSearch, and more than 100 charities and schools are registering daily. GoodSearch has quickly spread via word-of-mouth and the blogger community. Examples of other organizations listed on the site include: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation which has earned more than $7,200; The ASPCA which has raised over $11,000; and The Bubel/Aiken Foundation which supports children with disabilities and has earned more than $7,000.

Using GoodSearch is simple. Because the site is powered by Yahoo, users are assured of high quality results, and each time they search, money is generated by the advertisers for their favorite charity or school. 

“Every penny counts”, said Olivia Engkvist of the WYCF. “While doing a search or shopping online, why not raise money for the Wyoming Community Foundation? The more money Wyoming people earn for the Foundation, the more we can fund nonprofits around the state as they carry out projects to help Wyoming’s people, wildlife, community centers, conservation projects, etc. There is absolutely no reason not to use GoodSearch and GoodShop. It`s so easy.”