Look for donations of office supplies and other items you need for your nonprofit.
Like any for-profit business, nonprofit organizations need many things to stay up and running. This can include basic office supplies, such as desks, computers and copiers, as well as items that are specific for that organization, such as clothes for nonprofits that help the homeless. Because nonprofit groups rarely have ample budgets, It's always smart to look for free items.
Instructions
1. Develop a list of needed items. This should include large items, such as furniture or computers, as well as smaller items, such as tissues and hand-sanitizing gel. Ask all volunteers and employees to contribute to the list so that you don't forget anything. Your wish list should be something that you regularly update--take off things as you receive them and put on new things that you need.
2. Make your list available to supporters. Post the list on your website and have paper copies on hand to distribute to people who visit your office. If you have a list of organization members or supporters, you can send out a mailing--by email or regular mail--to ask for donations. Your supporters may have unused items around their homes.
3. Join your local Freecycle. Freecycle is a network of people who provide one another with free used items.
4. Check Craigslist, which has a section of free items. If you check it every day, you may find the items that you need. Craigslist also has a section where you can post the things that you need.
5. Look for organizations that facilitate in-kind donations. Businesses and individuals alike often have used items that they want to donate. Rather than give them to a specific charity, some donate them to an intermediary organization. These organizations, such as Gifts in Kind America and Excess Access, maintain extensive databases that you can use to find the items that you want.
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