'Checkout charity' bolsters philanthropy efforts

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

Domino's recently pledged $174 million over the next 10 years to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, expecting the money 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.