Turn Goods into Good Deeds
GIFTS IN KIND INTERNATIONAL
Organizational Vision
Citizen Base Strategy
Gifts In Kind International is a major source of product donations for non-profit organizations around the world. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., Gifts In Kind is the world's leading charity in product philanthropy. A non-profit organization, Gifts In Kind partners with businesses and non-profits around the worldwide to provide donated products and services to the those in need. Every year, Gifts In Kind distributes almost $400 million in product and service donations to a global network of qualified nonprofit organizations.
Thousands of manufacturers and retailers, including 30 percent of the Fortune 500 companies, rely on Gifts In Kind's free services to design and manage their donation programs. Current donors include Adobe Systems, Avon Products, The Disney Store, Golden Books, Estee Lauder, IBM Corp., Microsoft Corp., Ross "Dress for Less," Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Time Life.
Many citizen sector organizations have found a very effective means of supplementing cash contributions -- in-kind donations or product philanthropy. Product philanthropy is a prominent and growing method used by companies to contribute to the betterment of society. Computers for education, personal care products for disaster relief, clothing for the homeless and construction materials for the rehabilitation of neighborhoods illustrate the potential impact of product donations on social issues. These examples also show the extent of interest by corporate donors and the diversity of products they contribute.
Product philanthropy is a key element of many major companies' giving programs; product donations made up more than 30 percent of total 1999 contributions reported in a survey of 150 of the largest companies in the United States conducted by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. According to an article on the survey in the July 13, 2000, issue of The Chronicle, respondents reported giving $2.5 billion in cash and $1.1 billion in products to charity in 1999.
In addition to helping communities through product support, companies can realize substantial benefits for contributing products:
- In some countries, tax deductions may encourage companies to consider product contributions.
- Inventory donations reduce inventory carrying costs.
- Public recognition for the donations provides great name recognition as a company concerned about its community.
- Product recycling is cost-effective and environmentally sound.
The benefits of product philanthropy to the charitable sector are dramatic. Citizen sector organizations can increase their productivity through donated software, computers, office equipment and supplies. Donations of personal care products, youth and educational materials, building supplies, household items, clothing and other products can help non-profit organizations fulfill their missions and serve those in need. Perhaps most importantly, donated products save non-profits from having to purchase these items, freeing financial resources for programs.
In 1999, Gifts In Kind set four goals -- the Decade Directions -- to be achieved by 2010.
- Community Services (charities providing preventative health care, treatment and recovery services, support to the elderly, and other health and human services): Provide nearly $3 billion in products and services to 50,000 charities around the world, serving more than 20 million needy people.
- Community Rebuilding (charities involved in community revitalization, provision of emergency shelter, low-income housing and emergency relief): Provide nearly $1.5 billion in products and services to 10,000 charities around the world, reaching more than 5 million needy people.
- Youth, Education & Sports (charities involved in education, mentoring, daycare, sports, tutoring and other services benefiting needy people under the age of 18): Provide nearly $1.5 billion in products and services to 20,000 charities around the world, providing assistance to more than 10 million disadvantaged young people.
- Technology for the Charitable Sector (improve efficiency and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector through the application of technology): Provide nearly $1.5 billion in products and services to 100,000 charities around the world.
Non-profit organizations receive product donations through Gifts In Kind in one of two ways:
- Through a Community Gifts In Kind Program. More than 250 United Ways, food banks, community foundations, volunteer centers and similar organizations in North America partner with Gifts In Kind International and operate community Gifts In Kind programs. These community programs act as centralized sources of product information while offering direct distribution of donated products. You may be able to receive product and service donations through a community program.
- Through Direct Registration with Gifts In Kind International. Non-profit organizations outside a participating community Gifts In Kind program's service area or in an area where there is no established community Gifts In Kind program may register directly with Gifts In Kind International. These non-profit organizations pay an annual registration fee based on annual revenue.
Source: Doug McAllister, Director of Marketing and Communications at Gifts in Kind International. For more information about Gifts In Kind International, visit www.giftsinkind.org.