Apple Authorizes Retail Stores to Participate in World AIDS Day

[Michael Essany]

Although Apple doesn't become publicly involved to a highly visible extent with many charitable causes and days of remembrance, today Apple is participating in World AIDS Day (December 1st) by promoting RED products.

Apple launched the (RED) product line five years ago as part of a global charity campaign engendered by U2 front-man Bono. To help the cause and push RED Apple products, "a select group of Specialists" are wearing and promoting the (RED) iPod nano today. According to published reports, a portion of the sales will go to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

Per Apple's longstanding tradition, the company does not disclose what percentage or how much it contributes to charities in total. The same is true of RED product sales. That is, we don't know if Apple contributes 1% or 99% of the purchase price to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa (To donate directly to the cause, click here).

Notwithstanding this well-deserved gesture by Apple to honor World AIDS Day, the company has been under fire for some time with regard to criticisms that it doesn't do enough to help charitable causes and organizations. Those claims were somewhat weakened last September when Apple finally agreed to match employee charitable contributions, up to $10,000 per employee annually.

Source: Time

[BenderRodriguez]

Those claims were somewhat weakened last September when Apple finally agreed to match employee charitable contributions, up to $10,000 per employee annually.

Source: Time

GOOD, there over a billion dollar company, and all they did for black Friday was $100 off like really? And now it's just free ship Dec23rd(ish) which is about the same amount

[Tashawn]

GOOD, there over a billion dollar company, and all they did for black Friday was $100 off like really? And now it's just free ship Dec23rd(ish) which is about the same amount

Better than nothing.

[ohthatguyagain]

Apple donates 5% of the revenue. In terms % of profit - that's considerable.