CHAPTER 9
INFORMATION ABOUT IN-KIND OR NON-CASH
GIVING
There seems to be a tendency to limit efforts in
developing nonprofit resources to M-O-N-E-Y. As
understandable as this might be, it’s a mistake.
For one thing, businesses might be more easily
induced to consider non-cash support, since this allows
for good corporate citizenship without having to shell
out hard-earned cash. Stockholders may also be more
comfortable with such an approach. Perhaps a non-cash
contribution such as a gift from product inventory will
allow for some benign tax treatment (for guidance, check
the Internal Revenue web site at http://www.irs.gov/charities/).
Whatever might motivate in-kind giving from a donor’s
perspective, you should equate it to cash giving. In
effect, an in-kind donation represents the absence of
money your organization would have to spend to purchase
what has been donated. Money saved is as valuable as
money granted in such a situation.
Here are some ideas about possible non-cash resources
from corporations. The list is only suggestive; there
are plenty of other ideas that could be added to
it.
- Group purchasing to reduce costs
- Volunteers from the workplace
- Board members
- Surplus equipment and supplies
- Products
- Help with publicity and public relations
- Developing promotional materials
- Printing and duplication services
- Audio-visual services
- Computer services
- Financial services and advice
- Legal/tax services and advice
- Providing contacts
- Consulting on office administrative procedures
- Lobbying, advocacy
- Piggyback advertising and no-cost advertising
production
- Telecommunications services
- Company facilities
- Special event, conference, meeting planning
- Personnel policy and practice reviews
As you can see, the possibilities for creative
thinking abound when it comes to visualizing prospective
resources other than money. Tactically, your
organization’s willingness to weave in such resources
makes very good sense. This is especially so with
corporate representatives, because you will demonstrate
your organization’s capacity to be enterprising and to
cut costs, two actions that will impress them.
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