Apple kicks off fundraising effort to support U.S. National Parks via Apple Pay donations

techcrunch.com:

Apple is introducing a handful of new ways to support U.S. National Parks. The company announced today it’s continuing its annual National Park donation initiative that allows Apple customers to send money to the National Park Foundation in several ways. Starting today, August 21 and running through August 28, the company will donate $10 to the National Park Foundation for every purchase made using Apple Pay on Apple’s website, within the Apple Store mobile app, or in any U.S.-based Apple retail store.

Proceeds from the donations will be sent to the National Parks Foundation and aid in its mission to protect national parks. In order to garner support, Apple will encourage users to engage with curated content on Apple Maps and Apple Podcasts.

Despite the initiative’s positive undertones, the company will be capping its donation once it hits $1 million (or 100,000 purchases), which falls in line with years past. 

“America’s national parks are a gift we share,” said Will Shafroth, the National Park Foundation’s president and CEO, in Apple’s press release. “Apple’s partnership and generous commitment help to ensure that all people see themselves in national parks and feel welcome in these places that belong to all of us.”

Image Credits: Apple

National Parks-focused content on Apple Maps and Apple Podcasts, this year, is centering on Indigenous peoples and their mark on the nation. For example, Apple Maps users can find a list of national parks curated by the National Park Foundation in the app’s “Guides We Love” section. The parks include those that highlight Native history and heritage, Apple says, like those that were the ancestral lands for many Indigenous nations, or where remnants of their settlements can be found. 

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