All that 'checkout charity' adds up: Domino's pledges $174 million to St. Jude hospital

(AP) -- The world's top-selling pizza chain is betting big on the generosity of its customers. And it is not alone.

Domino's recently pledged $174 million over the next ten years to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, expecting the funds to come from its longstanding roundup campaign that invites customers to donate the difference between their purchase total and the next-highest dollar amount. The pizza chain has already raised more than $126 million this way across the past two decades for ALSAC, the fundraising organization for the Tennessee-based hospital.

Domino's is the latest and largest example of “checkout charity” success. The fundraising tool raked in 24% more money in 2022 than 2020 among the highest making programs, for a total of $749 million, according to the professional association Engage for Good.

That staying power has franchises hopeful that consumers will continue giving their spare change despite shifts toward online shopping, negative economic headwinds and fears that more frequent solicitations will cause fatigue.

Meanwhile, some retailers are fleshing out partnerships first formed after the 2020 racial reckoning pushed corporate citizenship toward the forefront of business practices.

Why it works

Studies suggest that asking customers to round up is generally more effective than requesting a fixed amount — even when the totals are the same. That's because the framing lessens the sting of parting with one's money, according to a paper published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology.

“It feels less painful," said Katie Kelting, a Saint Louis University marketing professor who led the research team.

The timing of the appeal introduces several other psychologically potent factors, according to Ike Silver, a marketing professor at Northwestern University. Buyers tend to imagine their purchases in whole numbers anyway; a $24.75 bill codes as $25, for example.

Plus, Silver said, it makes the act of giving “a bit more mindless.” Shoppers rushing to get through the checkout line don't have much time to consider reasons against the donation.

“They capitalize on a purchase inertia where you're just spending your money and you're not really thinking too much about it,” Silver said.

Helping PetSmart help animals

Champions of the strategy credit the asks for engaging everyday, would-be donors in an approachable form of giving with low barriers to entry. The practice is so commonplace that shoppers' cumulative gifts have even become a key funding stream for some issue areas.

PetSmart Charities, which reports that over 80% of its cash donations come through the PIN pad at checkout, is considered the largest grantmaker for animal welfare causes. The pet superstore, which has been running its continual PIN pad donation program for 20 years, asks customers to give a fixed dollar amount starting at $2.

The money supports causes directly related to pets, such as increased access to veterinary care and animal evacuation services during natural disasters. That authentic connection is one reason that PetSmart Charities President Aimee Gilbreath believes their average donation is just under $3 — which is projected to add up to $40 million by the end of this year.

Without the closely aligned missions, Gilbreath expects they'd have a slightly harder time getting customers to donate.

“It’s just much easier for people to say yes when they get, ‘I’m here shopping at PetSmart. I love pets. If I donate to PetSmart Charities, I’m going to support pets who need a family, I’m going to support pets in other ways’," she said.

Indeed, Kelting said the fit between the charity and the seller is “huge.” Customers can perceive point-of-sale solicitations as a violation of their social contract with a company, according to researchers, but partnerships among likeminded organizations are viewed in a more positive light.

Donations follow connection at REI

REI Co-op, a specialty outdoor clothing and equipment seller, launched its member-supported public charity in 2021 to help make outdoor spaces more inclusive. The goal was to put more resources into the surrounding communities coming out of COVID-19 shutdowns.

At its 185 U.S. locations, sales associates often strike up personal conversations about buyers' upcoming excursions. Those unique connections with its clientele of nature enthusiasts open the door for donation requests at checkout, according to Squire Simpson, a board member at the REI Cooperative Action Fund.

REI cashiers are supposed to leave the conversation with an open-ended ask that lets customers decide whether to round up or donate an amount of their choosing. About $2.2 million from 1.3 million individual donations were raised in stores last year, according to Simpson, a 2.5% increase over 2022.

Grantees include a Pennsylvania group that promotes biking among Black women and an Alaska nonprofit that provides therapeutic recreation for people with disabilities.

“It’s not some broad, corporate recipient,” Simpson said.‘

Checkout charity’ fatigue?

Still, some observers are worried that even the best of intentions won't keep the spigot from stopping as likeminded programs pop up in checkout lines around the country. Silver, the Northwestern University professor, questions whether the effectiveness of “checkout charity” will wane with its popularity.

“If it’s really something that’s coming up every time you swipe your card, one risk is people start to notice that and feel a bit more manipulated," he said.

Misinformation does not help either. Contrary to popular internet memes, tax policy experts say that stores can’t write off customers' point-of-sale donations because they don’t count as company income.

Domino's leaders remain confident in their fine-tuned strategy. With the iconic St. Jude child printed on Domino’s pizza boxes, the established partners are already among the most recognizable when it comes to point-of-sale donations.

Above the checkout widget is a roundup request with that image of the child. During its 11-week, end-of-the-year campaign, customers are greeted by a “click and go” pop-up soliciting $2, $5, $10 or $20. The request details St. Jude's work and features an overall donation tracker.

Domino's raised $8.9 million last year through roundup. Its leadership believes that number will increase under a new five-year strategy to grow its customer base.

Described by CEO Russell Weiner as “an audacious goal” that isn’t necessarily a “slam dunk,” the high-dollar charitable commitment adds another motivator to meet its latest nonprofit benchmarks.

ALSAC CEO Rick Shadyac said the extra Domino’s funding will help St. Jude's efforts in 80 countries to help triple the survival rate for children with the six most common forms of childhood cancer. That includes this summer's rollout of a program that will eventually provide free cancer medications to 30% of the 400,000 children around the world with the disease.

“If we drive more sales and more stores, what does that mean? That means we have more customers,” Weiner told The Associated Press. “The better we do there, the more people we’ve got that we can raise money for St. Jude.”