American Express announced April 7 that it will soon allocate funds collected from U.S. consumer, small business and corporate card members who have chosen to donate their membership rewards points to a donation fund to support Ukraine amid the crisis facing the country.
“People around the world have rallied together to support humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine and for all of those affected by this crisis,” said Howard Grosfield, executive vice president and general manager, U.S. Consumer and Global Premium Services at American Express, in press release. “Through our membership rewards points donation match program, we’re proud to offer card members another way to help make a difference and are grateful for their support to organizations providing critical assistance to communities that need help now more than ever.”
Effective immediately, and spanning through June 15, the financial company will match the dollar value of the donations with card membership points and deposit the funds into a Paypal fund for eligible charities, the release stated. Eligible charities include the International Rescue Committee, the International Medical Corps, the American Red Cross, UNICEF and Save the Children.
“UNICEF USA is grateful for the support of companies like American Express that are engaging customers to help the families of Ukraine,” said Renée Cutting, chief philanthropy officer, UNICEF USA, in the release. “Children in Ukraine are in desperate need of safety, health care, safe water, nutrition, and protection. UNICEF can’t do this work alone and these donations will help us reach the most vulnerable.”
The initiative joins other efforts by American Express, including a $1 million donation to the Eastern European country’s humanitarian relief organizations, and offering one million hotel rooms across Europe to Ukrainian refugees and first responders through its partnership with Hilton, according to the release.