... but my real answer is "I used to, but I don't any more."

Back when the idea was brand new I was okay and sometimes went along with it. But now I'm retired and pinching pennies, and I no longer feel that I need to donate to a cause that I didn't select or check out first myself. I still make donations to worthy causes, just not THAT way.

Because NO ONE knows where that money actually goes. It probably goes to the stores bottom line.

But now, in a pandemic, I would rather not handle change from the stores till. They can keep it....

Why can't the store just donate to the charity anyway? Do they need the PR and tax credit that much? And if it's for an individual, why can't the store/corporation get behind everyone having healthcare?

Always if it’s the “round to the next dollar” AND to a charity I recognize or support. Sometimes if it’s one where the cashier asks for a full donation.

wages. I usually went grocery shopping on my way home from work and always kicked in a buck or so when they hit me up. A lot of times I knew the checker and was at least wearing my ID badge. I thought I'd look like an asshole if I didn't.

I now do what I can for our food bank and veterans home. I also spend a couple hours every other week donating blood platelets.

If a company wants to support a charity, let it donate its OWN funds. Otherwise, it’s a crass PR game funded by customers. Gross on every level.

People rarely “trust” stores, so I’m not even sure how that relates in your question. It’s a store. It’s useful. So is the next store that will replace it. So not only is there no special “trust” in a store, but even if there was that would never carry over to some org they’re fundraising for.

I make exceptions to give to a select few local charities that might have a donation box at the register, with no ask by the cashier. For example, our local pet food store had a collection can for our local Trap/Neuter/Release program, which I would give to anyway, but having the can there was a convenient way to give a bit extra. I give a pretty hefty amount to a select group of charities, by the way, through direct volunteer service, in-kind donations, and in certain circumstances, significant cash. So, I’m anything but anti-giving.

But there are more reasons for saying no:
1) The pushy store campaigns always give to a small number of “safe” and “easy” charities. It’s always the largest nationwide charities and about kids, kids, kids, whether it’s a kids’ medical charity, or some bollocks like Make A Wish. These are the easiest categories of charities to fundraise for, regardless. Stores don’t want to be associated with truly useful nonprofit that isn’t as easy to fundraise for because of people’s attitudes, that might make someone upset, whether Planned Parenthood, or a charity helping women out of prostitution, supporting LGBT rights, or a wildlife rehabilitation or conservation organization with local impact. If I ever encounter an Arby’s asking for donations to The Lilith Fund, after I pull myself off the floor, I’ll certainly donate.

2) It’s all about public shaming into giving, like Children International and other street charity muggers. I will not play that game. Ok, I lie. I do play that game. I play the game of wrecking their street corner for them if they’re truly obnoxious. One particularly memorable occasion was the day I was accosted by a charity mugger for a generically-named environmental org with no credentials for actual work beyond collecting cash, when I was going home after doing a 2 week straight stint of conservation and wildlife education programs with legit fundraising (no pressure, 100% went to the org) on the side for a nationally respected rehabilitation and conservation nonprofit. “No” was apparently not an ok answer, and the jerk started screaming down the street that I don’t care about wildlife. So I turned around and did an educational talk to the passers by about the meager percentage of his take going to benefit wildlife, and how if they want to give for wildlife, they should go directly to a researched and trusted org’s website, not waste $0.92 of every dollar they give to support paid street or phone canvassing groups. He moved on.

almost always drop those in there.