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In-Kind Solutions: Gifts In Kind International's Nonprofit Member Newsletter
In This Issue
D.C.-based Clinic Provides Medical Care, Compassion to the Needy Partner With a Local Retailer-More Than 800 Retail Stores Still Available Welcome New Gifts In Kind International Members Ask the Director Gifts In Kind International News Nuts & Bolts: Resources for Nonprofits
April 2007
D.C.-based Clinic Provides Medical Care, Compassion to the Needy
Quick Links
About Gifts In Kind Featured Corporate Partners Board of Directors Leadership Team E-catalog of Current Products Full Product Donation Catalog (large PDF) Weekly Product Update
Almost 47 million Americans are uninsured and millions more are underinsured, making it difficult for them to get both the preventative and immediate medical care that they need. Columbia Road Health Services (CRHS), a Gifts In Kind International nonprofit partner, has been providing health services to people in need for more than 25 years. Through its unique and innovative program, the nonprofit health care center is providing hope and compassion to low-income people and children in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1979, CRHS provides about 16,000 patient visits each year, offering comprehensive, holistic health care for its patients, including medical and dental services, prenatal care, social services, mental health services, nutritional counseling, medications and laboratory tests at no or low costs and referrals to specialists who provide care at minimal or no cost. Meeting the Special Needs of the Poor "It's rare for a nonprofit clinic to offer the mental health and
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other counseling services that CRHS is able to provide," said CRHS Chief Operations Officer Dr. Caralita Moore. "But those services are important to surmounting some of the underlying causes of poverty and poor health." The clinic meets the unique needs of its clients by retaining a staff that is 80 percent bilingual (English and Spanish) and working to overcome the barrier of illiteracy. An informal survey done by CRHS staff late last year found that about 60 percent of the clinic's patients could not read in any language. Because many of these patients are ashamed of their illiteracy or low literacy, resident CRHS physicians take the time to explain the important information that is handed out in brochures and other educational materials, and talk to them about how they can learn to read. Educational information that is handed out typically includes pictures. To meet the needs of the community, the health clinic is open six days a week and a practitioner is on call 24 hours a day to handle patient emergencies. Clinic Opens New Facilities to Provide Specialized Care Since its creation in the late seventies, CRHS has founded a number of partner organizations that are providing services to better meet the needs of the community. In 1985, Christ House, a 32-bed health care facility for the ill and homeless, opened its door. In 1988, CRHS staff founded Mary's Center, a facility that provides prenatal care for low-income women. Kairos House is a housing facility for men who are recovering from or struggling with substance abuse problems; counseling sessions provide a place for residents to take the necessary steps toward addiction recovery and rebuilding their lives. "These partner organizations allow us to provide continued care through all stages of recovery," said Moore. Partnering with Gifts In Kind CRHS began partnering with Gifts In Kind International last year. "This population so needs the help," said Moore. "Having groups like Gifts In Kind International to support us is great." Moore said that she meets each Monday with representatives of Christ House to determine which products will be used for each program. "Many times men going to the Kairos House have nothing," she explained. "It helps to get them a few of the basics such as blankets or a waste basket." CRHS hosts an annual Christmas party for more than 400 kids, said Moore. "The Gifts In Kind program, along with many other donors, will help us provide new toys for the children of families in need. It's a great gift."
Partner With a Local Retailer--More Than 800 Retail Stores Still Available
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Does your organization need regular office supplies, clothes for the homeless or toys for tots in your area? The Retail Donation Partner (RDP) Program allows your nonprofit or charity to team up with a retailer in your area to receive donated products on a regular schedule. The close proximity of your retail partner allows you to pick up the donated items, rather than pay the costly shipping fees. Just a few of the participating retailers include Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and the Disney Store. View the retailers in your area who are seeking a partner. Sign up today to become an RDP partner.
Welcome New Gifts In Kind International Members
We welcome two of our newest nonprofits to the Gifts In Kind International membership. Arizona Doulas Organization & Birth Education Association, Inc. Phoenix, Ariz. ADOBE Doulas joined Gifts In Kind International in March 2007 to help organize its "Baby Shower With Love" program--a semi-annual event that allows low-income pregnant women to celebrate the impending birth of their babies. The baby showers began in 2004 with only three women, but have grown to include close to 200 expectant and new moms. "I realized that many low-income women never experience such an event when I was working with a young girl who had no idea what a baby shower was," said ADOBE Doulas Founder and President Mary Langlois. "She was about to have her third baby and had never had a baby shower." All mothers who attend the Baby Shower With Love event receive a gift basket of donated baby items such as diapers and handmade quilts. The event includes games, healthy foods for the expectant moms and other perks such as free photographs taken by a pregnancy photographer and a labor pack. "We joined Gifts In Kind to help us provide some of the shower gifts, including a free toy for each mom who attends," said Langlois. "Most of these women cannot afford to buy a new toy for their babies." Read Full Story
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H.O.P.E. America, Inc. Ann Arbor, Mich. H.O.P.E. America, Inc. joined Gifts In Kind International in January 2007. The nonprofit organization is working to give ordinary people the knowledge, skills and attitude they need to succeed. "We do this by providing resources to low-income communities in our area," said H.O.P.E. America, Inc. Executive Director Eleanor Walker. "We host a monthly food drive and periodic clothing distribution events for low-income people who need a little help. We also provide free educational seminars." The educational seminars cover a wide range of topics that are aimed at empowering people in need, including financial goal-setting, changing spending habits, creating budgets that work, how to reduce revolving debt, improving personal cash flow and many others. "Our seminars are aimed at giving people the help they need to avoid poverty and become productive members of the community," said Walker. H.O.P.E. America, Inc. has joined Gifts In Kind International's Retail Donation Partner Program. The group currently partners with local Office Depot and Talbots stores. The nonprofit holds three to five clothing distribution events each year for the community. Families in need are invited to fill one bag with clothing at no cost. "The new clothes we get from Talbots and other retailers will be a nice boost to the clothing distribution program," said Walker. "The office supplies from Office Depot are currently being used by H.O.P.E. America to help curb costs, so that we can spend more funds on programs, rather than administrative needs," she added. The H.O.P.E. America staff is planning a back-to-school event in the fall that will also make use of Office Depot products. "There's a real need for book bags," she said, "so we're hoping to provide those to the kids whose families cannot afford them."
Ask the Director: Make the Most of Your RDP Partnership--Create a Solid Relationship with Your Local Store Manager
There are many ways you can leverage your relationship with a local retailer through Gifts In Kind's Retail Donation Partner (RDP) Program. Taking a few extra steps to strengthen the relationship will help you make the most of the partnership.
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The first thing you should keep in mind as you develop this relationship is that the store manager you are working with is very busy and ultimately focused on the store's profits. You can, however, create a mutually beneficial relationship with the store and its employees. Below are a few tips on how you can create a strong relationship that provides you with the products you need for your local programs and may ultimately lead to a partnership that lasts for years to come. 1) Introductions & Background Materials Begin your partnership on a positive note by stopping by the store at a time that is convenient for the manager to introduce yourself and the overall mission of your charity. Explain how the donated products will enhance your program. Provide flyers and other background materials about your program--this will give them something to refer to when they talk about the nonprofit organization they are assisting. 2) Work With the Store Manager to Choose Convenient Pick-up Times Do your best to work around the schedule of the store manager. Retail employees have random schedules, so work with them to choose the most convenient times to do your regular pick-ups. They will appreciate your flexibility.
3) Invite Store Employees to An Event
As you plan your local events, consider sending an invitation to the store manager and other store employees. Ask them to simply attend the event, or even to volunteer. Many corporations are interested in getting their employees more involved with their local communities and you may be just the ticket! Thank you! Always remember to thank the store and the managers you work with. Thank you notes to both the people you work with and their superiors will demonstrate the importance of the program and motivate the manager to continue the relationship. When you send a thank you note to a manager's superior, make sure you copy the manager so that he/she knows about the letter. Report on Your Impact You can get more creative with your thank you by providing follow-up on your programs and demonstrating the impact they have on the community. Send photos or create collages that depict how the store's products were used. Do an interview with one of your clients and explain how those products have changed that individual's life for the better. Encourage the manager to display these items in the employee break room, or to send them on to the corporate office. These things help to enhance goodwill with store employees and remind them that they are making positive change in their community. Media Coverage
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Gifts In Kind International would be happy to help you create and distribute a press release that highlights the store's participation in your programs. If you are quite happy with the relationship, contact Melissa Lanning Trumpower at mltrumpower@giftsinkind.org. She can work with you to garner media attention for the store and its employees. This is key to encouraging further participation in Gifts In Kind International's RDP program and to helping you leverage your local programs with product donations.
Gifts In Kind International News Gifts In Kind International Receives Sixth Consecutive Four-Star Rating
In early April, Charity Navigator announced that Gifts In Kind International has garnered its top four-star rating for the sixth year in a row. Only 45 charitable organizations have achieved that status. Charity Navigator is a watchdog group that investigates the fiscal performance of charities. Its rating system measures the efficiency and sustainability of charities objectively and without bias. "We are thrilled to receive Charity Navigator's four-star rating for the sixth year in a row," said Gifts In Kind International President and CEO Richard Wong. "Gifts In Kind International promotes efficiency, transparency and accountability in all aspects of its worldwide operations." In 2006, Gifts In Kind International placed more than $890 million in annual product donations in the hands of the people who most need them. The Gifts In Kind staff accomplished this while spending less than 0.3 percent on management and fundraising activities.
Nuts & Bolts: Resources for Nonprofits Online Resources Tiny Essentials of an Effective Volunteer Board - A Review Free Booklets Articles of Interest Tools to Separate Good and Bad Nonprofits
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