The most useful in-kind donations

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Comments

[Saundra]

James,

That would really depend on the situation. For overseas it wouldn't be a good idea as all those things could be purchased locally and differ slightly from country to country. For at home after a local disaster or emergency, probably a good idea as people can get cleaned up easily and start to feel human again.

[James]

The United Methodist Committee on Relief has us putting together 1 gallon zip-lock plastic bags with a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste*, fingernail clippers or nail file, bar of soap, washcloth, towel, and 6 bandaids (all items being new, of course, and a dollar bill being preferred to toothpaste, which can expire if too old). These seem pretty useful and not making too many strange assumptions. What do you think?

[Saundra]

Submitted by Jim Johnson via LinkedIn

I was once asked by a church as to what the people needed or could use the best where I was working, mainly who to give money to. I suggested using the money to buy stuff toys and sending down for the hospital as it was trying to build a maternity/pediatric ward. Those toys were extremely popular and then became matched by locals, still going on today after 23 years. Not sure if it counts as "in kind" but was certainly kind and successful, took us from being at the bottom in treatment rates to the highest. Happiness heals.

[Saundra]

Useful in-kind donations are those that provide needed services to the organization - such as grant research, virtual assistance, training and other beneficial services that advance the mission of the nonprofit.

Paula Constantino via LinkedIn

[Saundra]

Thought I would add corporate donation guidelines from The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) http://www.cidi.org/guidelines/donate-corp.htm

"There are many factors to consider when promoting corporate contributions for international disasters and CIDI is here to offer guidance to a corporation in making these vital decisions.

Corporate Donations of Materials, Equipment and Services May be Useful, If:

1. The government of the affected country has requested and authorized international assistance in forms other than cash contributions.

2. The offer is based upon a specific request from a legitimate, recognized humanitarian agency with existing operations at the disaster site.

3. The recipient agency has a demonstrated, verifiable capability for distribution of commodity or supporting personnel.

4. The offer responds to a specific need that has been evaluated for cultural and economic impact.

5. The offer provides a quality product or service measured against a recognized international industrial standards, familiar in the recipient country.

6. Offers of technical assistance should not over-ride local expertise and management. Foreign providers of technical assistance must recognize that their role will be a support function and not a command function. The government of the affected country maintains decision-making authority.

7. The quantity of donated product will not adversely impact the viability of local business in the short or long term.

8. The material or service offered is not a solicitation for a future business relationship, nor does it obligate or establish a dependent relationship or cost for future maintenance and operation.

9. The declared value of the good or service is of the equivalent wholesale price in the recipient country or the wholesale price for a generic equivalent.

10. Commodity donations are sent with detailed inventory and are packed in accordance with international shipping regulations and standards.

11.International and local transport, warehousing, port clearance, storage and handling costs are paid by the donor."

[Ben Parker]

Blood.

[saundra]

Suggested by @NFIguy via twitter.

"'08 Copenhagen consensus: micronutrient supplements, donated by Micronutrient Initiative, '07: 530M doses"

http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/Default.aspx?ID=1168

The 2008 Copenhagen Consensus ranked micronutrient 
supplements as the top development priority out of more
than 40 interventions considered. Specifically, vitamin A 
supplementation for children (every 4‐6 months, from age
6 months to 5 years) and therapeutic zinc supplementation
for diarrhea (10‐14 days of supplementation, up to the age 
of 5) were considered. Vitamin A supplementation can 
reduce all‐cause mortality for children 6‐59 months by 23%, 
and several studies suggest that therapeutic zinc supplements 
for diarrhea can reduce diarrheal mortality below the age of 
five by 50%.  

[Ian]

Vaccines are an obvious example.

Less obvious (and perhaps not what you were meaning) are in-kind donations of services e.g. support with logistics and delivery of supplies from transportation companies. Donations of airtime for public service announcements from media companies.
Another idea getting a lot of coverage at the moment is recycling cellphones.

[Alanna]

Salter scales are almost always useful. Also surgical gloves.