7 Points To Consider When Donating Company Goods and Services

Whilst money may make the world go round, it’s not the only currency that can really impact and help local communities. Whilst charities often ask for money donations, gifts in kind can also make a huge difference. 

Charities often run their projects partly or fully on grants, many of which have limitations in the way the money is spent and doesn’t factor costs for overheads or administration. A new photocopier, new furniture or new mobile phones can be impossible to acquire unless there is a donation application available specifically for that purpose.

In a world full of ‘stuff’ surely there’s no need to buy more when a simple donation can be far more effective and efficient to the business, the charity and even the environment.

We recently conducted a survey this year on how charities could work with companies more efficiently. For full survey results, please click here

Over 30% charities consider gifts in kind the second most important resource. More than 55% of charities already receive gifts in kind such as raffle prices, products, services and office equipment. When asked over 80% of charities would like this type of collaboration with companies in the future.

"We are keen to work with companies in any way. Cash is always vital, but services and skills are just as important" – Charity survey quote

Therefore below is an outline of seven points to consider to ensure donating gifts in kind is more effective and efficient.

Timing

The difficulty lies in being able to connect companies and charities ‘just-in-time’. Excess new or used products can’t often be stored for long and need to find their way somewhere quickly. Companies have difficulty in quickly finding where to donate goods and services. Instead of therefore going to a good cause they need to be disposed of.

Likewise, businesses might have availability to provide services for free during a holiday season, but not when demand is at its peak and needs to find a charity that is willing to take their services when convenient for them.

This was a key factor for us when we designed the whatCharity.com platform to enable fast search of charities looking for donated goods. Next year, we will launch a new feature for companies to be able to offer and promote their donation programmes, any excess items they have available for charities and services they could offer free of charge.

New company products

New products are not often only required by charities themselves but also for beneficiaries, charity auctions, raffle prizes. There are many dedicated charities whose role it is to redistribute new or fresh goods donated to them directly or via other charities.

For example, a charity called In Kind Direct does amazing job finding suitable charities for company product donations and vice versa. Foodcycle, a national charity fighting hunger, gets all the ingredients from big retailers to be prepared as three course meals by volunteers.

Even smaller companies can make a real difference locally by donating not only food but other consumer products (such as hygiene products, clothes, small homeware) via local food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters.

Clear Communication

It would be very helpful for charities if companies had an established donations policy for products. Clear understanding of the process and application criteria would save everyone′s time.

Many small charities such as those thousands of PTA′s and sports clubs seeking raffle prizes are run by volunteers who spend a lot of time finding and collecting these items.

"Just knowing how to approach and what to ask, we are a very small charity and have few trustees" – Charity survey quote

Likewise charities do not have a clear vision of their needs and have limited resources to contact and engage with companies. Some charities do not even have an understanding of what is reasonable to ask and what to deliver in return -– which then prevents them asking in the first place.

Some charities list quite specifically how they can be helped with gift in kind donations, like Against Breast Cancer and Sensei International. 

"Big companies - please make it easier for charities to get to the right people and make an ask. Being passed around is time consuming..." – Charity survey quote

As well as communicating what is needed and what can be provided, there is an equally important point of communication – the thank you.

Companies have a strong commitment to inform their staff and other stakeholders of their charitable giving as part of their CSR. Both charities and companies need to establish the best way to communicate this which can even be a simple digital thank you or a statement from the CEO of the charity which can be shared through intranet, social media or a newsletter.

 Company services

Charities can achieve significant benefits from services provided to them for one-off needs or as annual donations.  From free property maintenance to bookkeeping, the savings achieved can be substantial. Commitments and deliverables are very important to keep as charities do not often have alternative options. Proper contracts should to be signed, covering the scope, rights, as well as liabilities, and are for the benefit of both parties.

"Companies could use their PR and communications departments to help charities with one off fundraising or lobbying campaigns." – Charity survey quote

If a company has an application process in place, it is important to keep it in proportion to the value of the donation. Charities already complete so many applications, it is therefore extremely important keep the process relevant and concise.

"Consider what you are asking of the charity (e.g. in terms of detailed reporting, comms requests, etc) compared to the amount you are giving." – Charity survey quote 

Used office products, computers and other electronics

Many companies are renewing office furniture and electronic equipment at a speed many charities can only dream of. There is ALWAYS a charity in need when it comes to these items and this should be factored in advance, not only when the new furniture is being delivered.

Local recycling centres sell products to locals at modest prices, which is a charitable activity itself. Many of the larger national charities run charity shops and do pick-ups – larger donations need of course to be pre-planned ahead of time. It needs to be remembered that not all shops accept electrical items as they need to be safety checked before resale or redistribution. If companies do not have resources in-house to take care of the donation process, there are also companies that can handle this on behalf of businesses. Pickfords for example has a dedicated department to manage used goods recycling and reuse by collaborating with local charities.

Some charities would happily receive second-hand mobile phones, iPads and computers -  all compliant to proper data erasure procedures and companies such as Corporate Mobile Recycling can facilitate this.

Collection of used goods from employees

A company can make a big contribution both socially and environmentally by encouraging a collection of used clothes, home technology and other items from their employees. For example, baby products, quality clothes and other relatively small and light items can be easily taken from home to the office and collectively delivered to a charity. A good example of collective collection is Wrap Up London, which also works with individual businesses.

365 Giving

At Christmas time most of us, and companies alike, usually think of those less fortunate, but it would be more beneficial to support charities throughout the year or at least during different periods of the year. Summer holiday seasons can, for example, be a major struggle in many disadvantaged families when the children are at home and do not have access to school meals or activities.

Tiia Sammallahti is founder and CEO of whatCharity.com  - a social impact charity tech company who believes doing good shouldn’t be complicated.

Bridging the gap between charities and vital resources they need from both the public and companies whatCharity.com aims to change the dynamics of the charity sector. As LinkedIn changed recruitment, comparison sites changed insurance and Google changed how we access the world’s information, whatCharity.com enables charities, companies and individuals to create trustworthy connections and provides a brokerage platform for time, skills, money, goods and services

whatCharity.com has recently launched its cost-effective company solution which simplifies and revitalises the way companies and their teams work with charities. By creating a real-time marketplace, the platform also empowers and engages employees more effectively when taking part in charitable causes.