Good causes benefit from record in kind giving

The growth of gifts in kind was the most noticeable change in the The Giving List 2004  published by The Guardian in November. The league table of FTSE100 companies showed a rise in value of £45.9 million over 2003 taking the 2004 combined figure for gifts in kind to £135.7m.

This huge leap came as no surprise to In Kind Direct. The charity has seen a year on year increase in donations since operations began in 1997: the figure currently stands at £40 million in value and is rising. In 2003 the value of goods distributed to the community rose by more than 13% to £6.04 million and the 2004 figure is expected to be even greater.

"The list highlights the broad scope covered by gifts in kind." says In Kind Direct chief executive Robin Boles. "It encompasses such things as goods, office accommodation and services and advertising space. We’re the chosen disposal route for many manufacturers’ and retailers’ surplus but often professional services companies, banks and so on don’t realise we can distribute to the community their surplus new uniforms, office supplies and promotional items, as well as high-spec computers. These items are very useful to charities and we want to be sure they don’t find their way into landfill."

She continues: "The greater awareness of in kind giving certainly works in our favour as more companies recognise that working with In Kind Direct is an efficient way of dealing with surplus products and fits well with their corporate social and environmental goals. Increased recognition of our work makes the job of persuading companies easier, helping us access the goods we know charities need".