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Apple today announced that it will donate $10 to the National Park Foundation for each purchase made with Apple Pay on Apple.com, through the Apple Store app, or at an Apple Store in the United States from August 24 through August 30. Apple is limiting its donations to the first 100,000 transactions of $10 or more.

apple-pay-national-parks.jpg

The National Park Foundation, the official charitable partner of the National Park Service, raises funds to directly support, protect, and manage America's national parks.

"Our national parks strengthen our connection to nature, to one another, and to the soul of our nation," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "We're excited to continue building on our four-year partnership with the National Park Foundation, and to support their work to preserve our parks for generations to come."

As noted by Kyle Seth Gray, there will also be a national parks-themed Activity Challenge for Apple Watch users on August 30. Users can earn the award by completing a hike, walk, run, or wheelchair workout of a mile (1.6km) or longer. The workout can be completed from any location, so visiting a national park is not necessary.


All national parks across the United States will waive entrance fees on August 25 in celebration of the National Park Service's birthday.

Update: In a press release tied to this announcement, Apple has also indicated that it is making special national parks content available in the Apple TV app, Apple Music, and the App Store.
The Apple TV app will feature a national parks highlight on the Watch Now page, including "Aerial America" from the Smithsonian Channel, along with other relevant shows and movies that explore and celebrate the natural world. In the App Store, customers can check out a collection of its most popular apps for safely exploring the outdoors, including AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run (AllTrails, Inc.), National Park Trail Guide (Adventure Projects Inc.), PeakVisor (Routes Software SRL), and other guides to parks and trails around the world. And Apple Music will feature its updated Nature Awaits playlist, so even if users can't make it out to the parks, they can hit play and let their imaginations wander.

Article Link: Apple to Donate $10 to National Park Foundation for Each Purchase Made With Apple Pay at Apple Stores Through August 30
 
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A better way of writing the headline would have been: Apple donates $1 million to the National Parks Foundation

Which when you put it that way isn't a lot of money but the PR effect is done for them with headlines like that.

did you also donate a million, since it isn’t a lot of money?
 
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A better way of writing the headline would have been: Apple donates $1 million to the National Parks Foundation

Which when you put it that way isn't a lot of money but the PR effect is done for them with headlines like that.

No, but every little bit helps (the foundation also covers things like monuments and historical sites), especially during these times for things like cleaning supplies for facilities.
 
Or they could just donate $1m..... I hate all of these stupid "do this and we will match" or "do that and we will donate" promotions. They don't make me feel better about a company, stop doing them.

THIS! If Apple cannot simply be socially responsible without making a fuss about it, I don't care...
 
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Why do companies do it this way instead of donating a straight lump sum? Is it for financial, accounting or tax reasons? Is it for PR purposes?
 
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Pure marketing and strategic tax-supporting act, which is purely seen as marketing costs. Site blah blah blah writes Apple donates x$, this is cheaper than paying for ads, goal reached. Greedy B’s!
 
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Why do companies do it this way instead of donating a straight lump sum? Is it for financial, accounting or tax reasons? Is it for PR purposes?
Because it’s cheaper than advertising and surely tax-supporting. Straight up donations are done quietly.
 
This is awesome. Apple could have directly donated 1million, which they regularly do after Tim Cook took the charge, but they are asking others to take part in it, this is awesome. This is like purchasing Red items from Apple.
Apple Pay, means any credit card would work, including business, not restricted to Apple Card. Thanks much!
 
A better way of writing the headline would have been: Apple donates $1 million to the National Parks Foundation

Which when you put it that way isn't a lot of money but the PR effect is done for them with headlines like that.
Came here to say the exact same thing! It is an interesting lesson on framing and making customers feel like a part of the community.
 
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Why do companies do it this way instead of donating a straight lump sum? Is it for financial, accounting or tax reasons? Is it for PR purposes?

My wife used to work for a charity. She explains that charities actually like this sort of arrangement because in addition to the money they get from the corporate sponsor, it raises awareness and results in more money coming in from other sources, and creates a “long tail” of continuous (but diminishing) donations.
 
Let's normalize this. In the foreseeable future with all the unsettling climate trends going on, I can see the National Park Service needing even more money on its hands.
 
National parks and State parks only need money to pay ranger salaries. If you've ever spent time in those parks, you'll know all too well that the rangers are without question the worst part of the park. I say don't give a nickel to national and state parks. You're just feeding the very thing that makes them worse
 
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National parks and State parks only need money to pay ranger salaries. If you've ever spent time in those parks, you'll know all too well that the rangers are without question the worst part of the park. I say don't give a nickel to national and state parks. You're just feeding the very thing that makes them worse
I am sure more money to maintain these giagentic parks will go long way. Let's support if not with money than good words.
 
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My wife used to work for a charity. She explains that charities actually like this sort of arrangement because in addition to the money they get from the corporate sponsor, it raises awareness and results in more money coming in from other sources, and creates a “long tail” of continuous (but diminishing) donations.
I didn't think of it that way. Interesting...
 
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