Three clicks is all it takes to turn browsing Bloomingdale’s online into shopping in support of charity, thanks to area student Max Stein, 17, and his partner Alexander Griff. Stein, who has been creating websites since he was 10 years old, built www.shopforacause.ca himself. He and Griff applied to become a registered non-profit and were granted the status earlier this year.

Stein — son of the legendary eye surgeon Dr. Raymond Stein — had the idea for Shop for a Cause when he was 15 years old. He was looking for a way to monetize his websites and came across the concept of affiliate marketing, which grants a commission to a site that directs a shopper to an online retailer. Stein thought that, instead of taking the cut himself, he could put it toward a charitable organization.

“We aren’t asking anyone who is already online shopping for anything, just if we can make them go to Shop for a Cause first,” he said. “It doesn’t cost you any more money.”

With a commission of approximately five per cent per purchase (higher for smaller retailers), a hefty cheque is already on its way to Free The Children. There are nine causes and 20 affiliate retailers to choose from.