Get It Donated!

1. Get It Donated! Karen Swam kswam@ctafterschoolnetwork.org April 5, 2008

2. Get it Donated! Why are in-kind contributions a good idea? How do we plan for in-kind goods and services? What about partners? What kinds of goods and services are available? Are volunteers worth the effort?

3. Get it Donated! Why?

4. Get it Donated! Why? • Decreasing availability of cash funding • Expected by some funders (match). • Major corporations are now giving more in-kind than cash and emphasizing employee involvement. Personal involvement may leverage other resources.

5. Get it Donated! • Collateral value: strengthens your case with stakeholders, builds good will in the community, and shows you are resourceful. • Rise of recycling – availability of goods and distribution systems. • Like a treasure hunt, it can be fun.

6. Get it Donated! What Process Should We Use? Include in-kind contributions in your sustainability plans. Look for ways that in-kind can substitute for cash without too great an effort. Examine your program and administration for ways to involve volunteers.

7. Get it Donated! • Be proactive. Develop a budget “Plan B” that will rely more on in-kind if cash cannot be acquired. • Use your network** to find people and things. • Think partnerships!

8. Get it Donated! When not to think in-kind • Time, fees or other resources needed makes the net gain too small. • The contribution requires a significant shift in your program plans.

9. Get it Donated! Handling In-kind Contributions • Establish a dollar value for the goods or services (IRS and other guidelines). • Provide receipts for goods for the contributor’s tax and other records. • Look your gift horse in the mouth!

10. Get it Donated! Don’t (always) Go it Alone Build partnerships to acquire volunteers and in-kind gifts together. Local after school network, associations, buying clubs, chambers of commerce.

11. Get it Donated! Partnerships that may provide direct in-kind Schools Other nonprofits Local businesses Remember: Stay aligned with mission, provide reciprocity.

12. Get it Donated! Potential Local Partners Schools - site space meals/snacks staff time transportation data

13. Get it Donated! Potential Local Partners Other nonprofits--including colleges-- may provide many of the same resources as schools, as well as enrichment resources, co-purchasing, and more! Yale University’s recycling program. 203-432-6852 www.yale.edu/recycling

14. Get it Donated! Potential Nonprofit Partners Literacy Council Athletic leagues Arts organizations

15. Get it Donated! For-profit Partners Local businesses can provide all kinds of supplies and services Stay aligned with mission, provide reciprocity

16. Get it Donated! Other Local Partners Faith groups Civic organizations Families, Individuals All may be able to provide volunteers or in kind contributions.

17. Get it Donated! What can we get? Most anything you can imagine.

18. Get it Donated! Volunteers and Pro Bono Service Providers • Should enhance rather than replace the work of paid staff • Should be accountable and follow procedures that apply to paid employees (e.g., promptness, review, possible termination) • Short- or long-term.

19. Get it Donated! Volunteers and Pro Bono Service Providers • Have someone coordinate volunteers. Use job descriptions, memoranda of understanding. • Provide recognition. Consider stipends. • Keep track of volunteer hours and nature of work for your reports and funding requests. To set value, see www.independentsector.org/programs/research/volunteer_time.html

20. Get it Donated! Volunteers Find volunteers through: • United Way volunteer centers/board banks: www.ctunitedway.org/Who/CTUWays.asp www.pointsoflight.org/programs/ • National organizations: www.idealist.org

21. Get it Donated! Volunteers For help with managing volunteers: www.energizeinc.com www.managementhelp.org/np_progs/sup_mod/staff.htm 4h.uwex.edu/resources/mgt/volunteer.cfm

22. Get it Donated! Other In-kind ResourcesItem: Source: Information and training World Wide Web, Local a.s. networks, other agencies, CT After School Network Free info on nonprofit management: www.managementhelp.org/gen_rsrc/megalist/ megalist.htm#anchor34343

23. Get it Donated! Other In-kind ResourcesItem: Source: Computers, software Caution! Lots of sources for computers, but equipment is often outdated or not working. To get new (or refurbished) technology equipment, software and information, try www.techsoup.org Free membership and low handling fees apply.

24. Get it Donated! In-kind from Corporations Cause marketing rules! Check guidelines to see if an ask for in-kind donation is best, then discuss your ideas with a corporate giving person. May be different processes for ask from HQ than local branch. May need to use your network to find a key employee.

25. Get it Donated! Other Ideas • Civic groups • Freecycle (www.freecycle.org) • Craigslist.com

26. Get it Donated! Other Ideas Consider amembership organization You may need to join an organization to qualify for “free” merchandise. Be sure the benefits measure up to the cost. Examples: www.giftsinkind.org

27. Get it Donated! More Ideas Curricula/materials/training such as Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active is a program for young people ages 11 to 13 to learn about media around them and how it can affect their health--especially in the areas of nutrition and physical activity. www.nichd.nih.gov/msy/msy.htm

28. Get it Donated! and More! Small toys and school supplies: Dollar General Stores www.dollargeneral.comClick on "Community”” Office and other supplies: Staples www.staples.com/sbd/content/about/soul/ localgiving.html See the CT After School Network website for ideas www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org/Funding_In-Kind.html

29. Get it Donated! Ask for things to auction, raffle or sell • Hotel, restaurant or store gift certificates • Flowers and plants • The sky’s the limit! Caution! Be sure you have the permission of the donor as well as any permits required to do this.

30. Get it Donated! Remember. . . • Always give recognition to your donors and volunteers • Ask them how they want to be recognized, including press release/article/picture in newspaper, a letter to their supervisor; mention in your annual report,inclusion in an event, etc.

31. Get It Donated! Karen Swam kswam@ctafterschoolnetwork.org www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org