Resources - In Kind Support
In kind support is increasingly being recognised as a valuable alternative to the more conventional form of financial support and, with its emphasis on efficiency and partnership, one which the donator, the receiver and, indeed the community at large, can benefit from.
Top Tips
Practical Examples
- An office based business offering meeting rooms at no costs. For example, Welwyn Hatfield Council for Voluntary Service used to have an arrangement with BAE Systems on Hatfield to use their meeting facilities for free.
- Donations of unwanted (but good quality) office furniture and equipment. For example, Community Action Dacorum equipped its meeting room with 16 chairs donated by a building society that was refurbishing its offices.
- Using furniture recycling schemes. In Hertfordshire, there are seven recycling schemes, some of which re-distribute office furniture. Contact your local Council for Voluntary Service for further details.
- Using computer re-cycling schemes. These can supply affordable equipment which has been checked and cleaned.
- Bulk buying. Adding your orders to a business' orders (for example, of stationary or office equipment) may reduce the cost through large order discounting, leading to savings for both the voluntary sector organisation and the business.
Voluntary sector organisations: Ready for support?
Before approaching companies for in kind support, it is worth reviewing your organisation's position and clarifying your intentions and any next steps that will be initiated:
- Communication and consistency. Ensure that everyone in the organisation is aware of your intentions and that you are supported by the key figures within the organisation. Different messages, doubts or confusion could undermine your success.
- The foundations. In order for a business to feel that supporting you will be beneficial, you will need to demonstrate that your organisation's structure is stable. Organisations at financial risk may not seem a particularly sensible option for business investment; those with a confused structure of a lack of cohesion may similarly seem like a waste of company resources.
- The whole picture. Charities' resources often come in a variety of forms and from a variety of donations. It is therefore important to have a clear idea of where and what your current funds are, to identify any gaps and avoid duplication.
- The consequences. A consideration of the impact of any donations is an important step. Will the donation be stand alone or require additional learning or materials? Will any consequent growth be in line with your organisation's capacity?
Case Studies
Boxmoor IT Company M&V Ltd and Paradise Furniture Company
David Hemming, Managing Director of Boxmoor IT company M & V Ltd, decided that there was far too much waste with obsolete computers. He has therefore donated both time and money into a project where, together with learning difficulty students at the Paradise Furniture Project, he will refurbish the unwanted equipment and donate them to local charities. David comments: -
"Our participation in the recycling of computer equipment, by diverting it from landfill and into the hands of various charitable organisations and needy individuals, has been extremely rewarding. Not just from an emotional perspective, in terms of the satisfaction to be derived from giving practical and effective assistance where it is most needed, but also in commercial terms."
By way of one example from many. A redundant computer donated for recycling by Epson was refurbished by M&V using parts taken from machines donated by other local organisations and then supplied to a blind man in the Leverstock Green area. By virtue of the use of voice synthesis software, the gentleman concerned is now able to surf the Net, shop from home and participate as fully as possible in areas and activities which may never have been previously possible for him and the equipment hasn't cost him a penny!
Commercial madness some might say as M&V has spent several hours and two subsequent home visits to assist him BUT the story, as you might guess, doesn't stop there.
The man's wife works part time for a local organisation to which M&V have now been introduced and for whom M&V is now doing work on an ongoing commercial basis as well as two of his friends.
In our view this is "networking" at its best. Saving waste and bringing mutual gain we find time and time again that we end up with an ever increasing client base of the very best quality. It helps to sustain M&V's core objectives of growing locally and almost organically on the basis of reputation born of customer satisfaction whilst at the same time contributing positively and practically to the good of the community we live in?
So far Epson UK Ltd have given 65 PCs to David and Herts Fire and Rescue have given 30. Refurbished equipment has already been given to the Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter (DENS), Homestart Dacorum, The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Age Concern Dacorum and also to the internet cafe in the Highfield Community Centre.
Useful Links
In Kind Direct
Just as there are web-based services offering to match business people with charities, so there are online schemes to match goods with charities.
Connect Dacorum
Offers opportunities to offer gifts and services to a multitude of local good causes in the Dacorum area.
Professionals 4 Free
An organisation that works with voluntary and charity organisations looking for free support from professionals.
