Giving Through eBay Soars to Record $54.8-Million

Even in a tough economy, online philanthropy at eBay clicked.

Making it easier for people to donate to their favorite nonprofits and high-profile celebrity auctions pushed charitable donations in 2010 from eBay sellers and buyers to a record $54.8-million, a 7-percent increase over 2009.

To donate, people could give a percentage of anything they sold or add a contribution to anything they bought, and nonprofits could sell items to raise money.