How not to do holiday giving: “charity tourism” and old socks cost non-profits time and money
Why It Matters
Many people have the urge to help their fellow citizens over the winter holiday season. Thoughtful, well-informed donations can go a long way to assisting community serving organizations meet their clients’ needs, while unwanted items create a burden for service providers, however well intended.
(Photo: Lance Grandahl)
No one wants to seem ungrateful during the holiday season, especially charities reliant on public donations. But sometimes, one person’s trash is just that — trash. And during the holiday season, misguided donations can multiply.
Broken chairs, dirty linens, damaged clothing, old mattresses and unpaired running shoes won’t find a home at your local charity and dealing with them takes time and effort non-profits can little afford. But communicating that to the public is a delicate task, according to those in the sector.
“It’s a common thread that isn’t talked about because charities are generally very polite and they don’t want to offend anyone,” says Dan Kershaw, executive director of Furniture Bank. “But charities can’t be society’s dumping ground.”
If people want their donations to h
Join a community of 2000+ impact-oriented professionals like you. Get full access to this story and all Future of Good content, including tickets to our digital events and networking, with a membership.
Already have an account? Sign in.