As a result of the economic downturn, many companies cannot afford to give monetary donations to the nonprofit organizations they support. This year alone sixty-eight companies decreased their cash donations from $4.3-billion to $3.9-billion according to a report from USA Today. That’s the bad news. Now for the good news: Corporations are increasingly substituting cash with in-kind donations including equipment, software, and employee time.
In this recent study conducted in collaboration with The Chronicle of Philanthropy, USA Today concluded that although cash donations from US-based companies have dropped 7.5 percent in 2009, non-cash contributions have experienced a 5 percent increase. Many companies are looking to make up for their decrease in financial assistance to nonprofits by encouraging their employees to volunteer and donate more time.
So who’s donating in-kind locally?
- Avista Corp. is encouraging their employees to donate to community school supply drives.
- Microsoft Corp. is providing technology skill training to out-of-work people.
- The Make-Up Studio owner, Julie Farley, invites customers to donate new or gently used makeup for local charities supporting low-income women such as The Hope House, Our Place, and Women’s Hearth. Farley has titled her mission Project Beauty Share.
- The Sandpoint Fire Department offered auction items for Holly Eve, an event that raises funds for several nonprofits. The items included firefighter memorabilia, a birthday party at the fire station, and six firefighters working two days at the winning bidder’s home (see full article from the Spokesman here).
- Numerica Credit Union employees raised $16,000 to donate between Hospice Services in Spokane, North Idaho, Tri-Cities and Wenatchee.
What local companies do you think should be recognized for their philanthropy?
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