Gifts In Kind International

With today's economy and limited budgets, United Way of Roanoke Valley continues to look for ways to mobilize and maximize resources in our community. To this end, we are pleased to continue our partnership with Gifts In Kind International's Community Partner Program.

Through this program, United Way makes it possible for nonprofits in the valley to access a wide variety of newly manufactured products. Every year, thousands of companies donate hundreds of millions of dollars in newly manufactured products to Gifts In Kind International. Fortune 500 companies entrust Gifts In Kin International (GIKI) to be the catalyst to distribute needed products to nonprofit organizations worldwide. Products are then used to assist nonprofit organizations in meeting critical needs.

Qualifications to be a Gifts In Kind International recipient organization:

1. The agency must be a nonprofit (501c3) organization.
2. The agency must serve clients in one or all of the following: City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, City of Salem, Town of Vinton, Craig County and/or Botetourt County.
3. The goods must be used solely for the care of the ill, needy or infants/youth (as those terms are defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations).
4. Applications must be submitted annually in January. An application will be mailed to you or you may access it online in January.

United Way's membership with GIKI gives nonprofit agencies an opportunity to take advantage of a variety of available products including software and computer technology, personal care items, clothing, books, toys, sporting equipment, building supplies and other items offered through the GIKI Online Product Catalog. These items are either free or can be purchased at a deeply discounted rate. The agency pays only a nominal administrative fee to cover shipping and handling.

In 2006, UWRV brought in-kind donations worth over $86,000 to the community for distribution to over 30 nonprofit organizations. This total includes the following items:

United Way's membership with GIKI gives nonprofit agencies an opportunity to take advantage of a variety of available products including software and computer technology, personal care items, clothing, books, toys, sporting equipment, building supplies and other items offered through the GIKI Online Product Catalog. These items are either free or can be purchased at a deeply discounted rate. The agency pays only a nominal administrative fee to cover shipping and handling.

In 2006, UWRV brought in-kind donations worth over $86,000 to the community for distribution to over 30 nonprofit organizations. This total includes the following items:

  • Women's clothing for clothes closets, homeless shelters and substance abuse shelters
  • Linens, towels and other home furnishings for homeless shelters, senior service programs, programs serving victims of natural and man-made disasters and other human service organizations.

Gifts In Kind International is a relationship building strategy with agencies in the community. These investments are leveraged to bring benefit to local agencies and United Way partners. United Way is able to provide at least $37 of in-kind support (based on 2006 figures) to local nonprofit agencies for every $1 that is directly invested for GIKI membership.

All tax-exempt nonprofit organizations serving the ill, needy or young people in this community are eligible to apply for participation. In-kind donations provide nonprofits with the resources they need to expand their services to the community and simultaneously improve the quality of those services.

For additional information, please contact Marie Muddiman, Community Investment Manager at (540) 777-4209 or at mariem@uwrv.org.