Four Steps to Easy Donating

Donating is one of the easiest ways to make a positive contribution to your community. Donating either your time or money (or both) is a great way to boost your own sense of gratitude while extended a helping hand to others in need.

In fact, a study from the University of Oregon, found that giving to others activates specific regions of the brain associated with euphoria. Their findings were supported by the National Institute of Health’s National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Science Foundation. Giving to others makes us feel good.

So, what are you waiting for?! Here are four steps to easy donating.

1) Find your passion

Donate to causes you personally support. If you’re unsure where to donate, think about how you spend your free time, problems you’ve had to tackle, or an issue that concerns you. This is a wonderful opportunity to find out what your passion is.

For example, if you have experience living through a natural disaster, perhaps you feel compelled to give to a disaster relief organization. Or perhaps you love working with children and want to donate to an organization that works with children. The first step is simply homing in on one problem or issue that speaks to you and your passions.

2) Research organizations

Once you’ve narrowed down the type of charity you’d like to donate to, start researching organizations. You can start with local groups in your geographic location or national groups with well-known branding.

The DollarDays Wish List tool is a great way to explore organizations of all sizes based on your passion. We have partners all over the country, involved in a wide array of issues. Using our search function, you can see all our partner organizations and visit their websites to better understand the kinds of work they do and find one of interest to you. You can search by name of organizations or by city or state. Because we work with groups all over, chances are you’ll find one close to home.

3) Find out what they need most

Most volunteer organizations and charities keep regularly updated lists of items they need most. The needs of each organization will vary based on the type of assistance they provide and where they are located. For example, groups in Miami would not have a need for winter coats or boots or a shelter in New York likely would.

There are several items that are almost universally needed like personal care, school supplies, clothing and shoes. DollarDays Wish List also allows organizations to create a list of their most needed items so be sure to check there too. With our unbeatable prices on wholesale items, you could quickly equip a school in need with backpacks, pens, pencils, and notebooks.

You don’t always have to buy new. Look through your own closet or your growing family’s clothes and pack up gently used items to give away. Donating clothes is an excellent way to get kids involved as well.

4) Donate and follow-up

Collect all the items you plan to donate and neatly package them. Make sure you have checked with the donation center to see if they have specific instructions for donating including the days they are open. Sometimes they may also have special instructions for where or how to donate items.

Be sure to follow up with the organization as well to ensure they received your donation and to see if they have additional needs. Items like education supplies, emergency preparedness supplies, and supplies to help the homeless are almost always appreciated.

Donating to a good cause can also be a good team-building activity for small businesses. Institute a day or month of giving at various points in the year to build goodwill for your brand and increase employee pride. Be sure to browse DollarDays incredible selection of goods to help do good while remaining under budget.


Interview: Marc Joseph, Founder of DollarDays

Marc Joseph is the founder of DollarDays, the […] online wholesaler that helps small businesses compete against larger enterprises and [helps] nonprofit organizations find the products they need to support their causes. DollarDays offers more than 225,000 high-quality products at wholesale and closeout prices. Mr. Joseph has helped build some of America’s most known retail stores, including Federated Department Stores, Bill’s Variety Stores, Everything’s a Dollar Stores and Crown Book Stores. Most recently, he started a chain of hair salons in Arizona and built it up to 11 stores before selling them to devote [his] full time to DollarDays. He is the author of the book “The Secrets of Retailing…or How to Beat Walmart,” which provides expert advice to independent businesses of all sizes on everything from the psychology of buying and the hiring of great employees to working successfully with vendors and promoters, as well as how to expand your business on the Internet. Mr. Joseph is also a frequent contributor to The Huffington Post and the Alibaba Global Biz Circle news websites.

IdeaMensch (IM): Where did the idea for DollarDays come from?

Marc Joseph (MJ):When we started back in 2001, small businesses were getting crushed by chains moving into their towns, so we wanted to help these small businesses survive and thrive against these big-box competitors. At the same time, the Internet was emerging as the new way to quickly communicate, so I saw the Internet as the next channel of distribution of wholesale and closeout products by the case so the small guys could compete on a level playing field with the big guys.

IM: What does your typical day look like, and how do you make it productive?

MJ: The Internet is really the last true vehicle to still be able to use guerrilla marketing to promote your business, so we start every day asking the question, “How can we find new customers and begin to brand ourselves?” in this sea of millions of websites currently trying to attract the eyeballs on the World Wide Web. We make this a productive exercise by reviewing sales from the last day, week and month and analyzing the customers, both new and existing, [who] created these sales. Our short-term goal is to market out to lookalike customers who don’t know about us today. Because of this, we get our report card each day. This month, we get a “B+” because we are averaging 1,500 new customers now joining us each day. Our long-term goal is to convert these new customers into repeat, loyal customers.

IM: How do you bring ideas to life?

MJ: Unlike traditional businesses that need a three-month timeframe from idea to implementation, being a company focused on the Internet, we can come up with an idea in the morning and have it live on the site that afternoon. This gives us the opportunity to test even the craziest ideas, because if the idea does not work, we can immediately take it off the site with a click of a button. So just about every day our site looks a little different, and the winning ideas become part of our culture, while those that do not click with our customers go away quickly.

IM: What is one trend that really excites you?

MJ: Adult coloring books are exciting. Why adult coloring books? I just use this as an example of how ideas become trends that become sales. About a year ago, one of our better small-business customers told us that in his small town, he was seeing 20- and 30-year-olds put down their cellphones and pick up a sketchpad or coloring book and begin to doodle. He assumed it was for stress relief from the constant pressure our modern society puts on itself in this electronic-driven age. With that early knowledge, we went out and sourced all kinds of adult-type coloring books from geometrics to nature to animals. Just this year, we have gone through hundreds of thousands of adult coloring books—[and all] because one of our salespeople developed a strong bond with one of our customers who trusted us to help them build their business. Adult coloring books are to this generation like pet rocks were to an earlier generation.

IM: What is one habit that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

MJ: I keep a pad and pen on my nightstand. For some reason, some of my better ideas pop up in the middle of the night, and if I don’t write them down when they wake me up, I just can’t remember them the next morning. Taking this a step further, whenever I am away from my desk to exercise, have dinner, etc., I now always have a pen and paper in my pocket just in case that million-dollar idea jumps in front of me.

IM: What was the worst job you ever had, and what did you learn from it?

MJ: To help put myself through college, I became the housekeeper and the weekend cook at my fraternity. Who knew that college guys could be such slobs? No matter how often you tried to train your brothers to pick up after themselves, if their mother could not teach them, I certainly could not, either. This was the beginning of my learning about the art of communication, and for negotiations to be successful, you could not use the tact of telling people what to do—you need to get them to buy into your dream or, in the case of the fraternity, working together for a cleaner, more appealing environment.

IM: If you were to start over again, what would you do differently?

MJ: Cash is king when starting a business. Opening your own business may be a dream coming true, but paying for this dream is an entirely different story. The vision of digging through your couch to find all the lost change to make your business work is a myth. Raising money is the toughest challenge you will ever face. You cannot put every penny you have into your business, because you will need dollars to cover your living expenses for the first six months, and if you do not have enough cash flow in your business, you will be scrambling for years. So my advice is to make an extremely strong effort to raise as much cash as possible before going into business.

IM: As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over?

MJ: Pick up the phone and always be reaching out. Don’t wait for people to reach out to you. Whether you like it or not, entrepreneurs are always selling. They are selling their idea to raise funds to start the business. They are selling their idea to potential employees to get them to join their dream team. They are selling their idea to customers and suppliers to trust them to help improve their businesses. So entrepreneurs cannot get complacent. Every day, you must relive those days and months in the beginning when you were the only one picking up the phone. Pick up the phone today and find new customers.

IM: What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

MJ: Hire good people. I try to hire people who are smarter than I am in areas that I am not the expert. This way, you can build a team with divergent expertise, yet when adding up the sum of the teams’ knowledge, it is first class.

IM: What is a failure you had, and how did you overcome it?

MJ: For years, our site, which is homegrown, did not give the perception that we were a top-notch company. It was slow and cumbersome to use, and, because of this, our sales were stagnate. We finally bit the bullet and put all of our financial resources and human resources into taking our site into the 21st century. It has paid off, because this year, we were one of the three finalists for the Internet Retailer B2B E-Commerce Marketer of the Year [award].

IM: What is one business idea for those reading this article?

MJ: The relationship we as businesses and entrepreneurs have with our customers is changing. It is a trend that has always been part of the millennial generation, but is now also part of all generations, and that is [that] customers want to do business with companies that care about giving back to their community. We do it with three different programs—$5,000 a month through our Facebook giveaways to nonprofits, creating free wishlist sites for nonprofits, and letting all of our customers donate 5% of their purchases to nonprofits. I am sure there are plenty of other ways businesses can give back to their communities.

IM: What is the best $100 you recently spent and why?

MJ: We donated a case of baby blankets to our local Kiwanis Club K-Kids group at our Boys & Girls Club. This is an organization that helps young kids learn the value of service and helping others. This young club was helping the homeless families in our area. You should have seen the look on these kids’ faces as they were unpacking the carton of baby blankets. The joy they had in helping brought many of the adults in the room to tears. This is emotion that cannot be bought.

IM: What software do you use?

MJ: Because we have an inside sales team that works closely with our existing and new customers, we have just initiated Salesforce to help keep us organized and alert us quickly for followup with our customers. Making us more efficient in the long run will make us more money.

IM: What one book do you recommend?

MJ: If you are only going to read one book this year and you are an entrepreneur or small-business owner, you must read “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight, the create of Nike. I could not put it down. The ups and down of starting a business are on full display in this compelling story. I must mention two other books also that gave me real perspective on growing a business. The first is “Alibaba,” which is the most accurate telling of the story of the largest e-commerce company in the world, and the second is “Elon Musk,” which tells the true story of this billionaire and gives you some insight into what our future may look like.

IM: Who has influenced your thinking?

MJ: We can learn so much by studying history. I can’t get enough of George Washington, whether it is his biography or the current TV show, “Turn: Washington’s Spies.” But the real influencers of my life were the entrepreneurs of my father’s generation, brave men who I watched in action just about every day. Most of these guys fought in World War II and then came home to build their dreams for their families. None of them had anything handed to them, and they built their businesses by hard work, dedication to their dream, and the understanding of what it takes to build and service a loyal customer base.

Original article here: https://ideamensch.com/marc-joseph/

Supporting the Free Market, Empowering Small Businesses

DollarDays is an innovative online wholesale distributor on a mission to level the playing field for growing businesses. By taking manufacturing and distribution to the digital marketplace, the site provides small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and nonprofits with the economic security necessary to take on the challenges of 21st-century entrepreneurship.

SMEs have always been the backbone of North American industry, but, in recent years, vast changes in the domestic economy have threatened the livelihood of small businesses everywhere. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in the last year alone, over 470,000 U.S. businesses died, with only 400,000 new ones created. Despite these daunting statistics, the reality is that many small firms are still fighting the good fight, and, today, DollarDays may just be the solution.

The firm’s hybrid business structure blends the accessibility of the Web with the professional tradition of personalized service, an approach that has propelled the site to the forefront of the sector. With 3.5 million registered users and an average of over 1,500 new customers a day, DollarDays has emerged as an unlikely competitor in the high-stakes world of manufacturing and distribution. With statistics showing over 50% of customers ordering from DollarDays.com four times or more, the website is an example of not only how to gain, but to keep customers coming back for more.

The website’s ongoing growth has garnered widespread attention internationally, but, according to Marc Joseph, the CEO and president of DollarDays, this success is more than accomplishment; it’s a pursuit of passion. “I am very passionate about making sure we support growing businesses. It’s our mission to support them in any way we can to keep them alive and growing.”

DollarDays was created in 2001 as an answer to an evolving sector and a changing global economy. Soon after the global recession hit, the significance of DollarDays.com grew even more apparent.

“We always put ourselves in our small-business customer’s shoes, and we ask ourselves, ‘What do they need to compete?'”

As many small businesses felt the pangs of economic disparity, financially driven changes in the manufacturing and distribution sectors made commercial success harder than ever.

Traditionally, manufacturers and distributors relied heavily on salespeople. Following the downturn, many of these companies moved to diminish their operating overheads by limiting the number of sales representatives on staff. This seemingly small change had a significant impact on the ability of SMEs and nonprofits to source quality products. This change, paired with the price of shipping and increasing credit restrictions, pushed the cost of operations so high that there was little chance of any small firm surviving in the monopolizing marketplace.

This is where DollarDays comes in.

Leveraging the Internet as a new channel of distribution for wholesale and closeout products, the company’s Web-based platform became a hotspot for SMEs and nonprofits seeking an alternative route to sourcing stock. “We felt the Internet would give us the ability to level the playing field for these small businesses, giving them a chance to compete, survive and thrive against the chains in the area.”

It brings to the table several major benefits [that] are based on the company’s unique hybrid approach. From a product standpoint, there are few companies with the range and affordability of DollarDays, which carries over 300,000 products at any one time.”We are [a] one-stop shop in terms of products [businesses] can promote, products they need and products which show their customers that they are relevant with the trends.”

The site is easy enough for clients to navigate quickly and independently, as high-resolution images and descriptions provide customers a clear view of products. As the site is a favorite for many nonprofit organizations, the range of back-to-school essentials and seasonal goods [is one] of the most diverse and affordable on the market.

One of the primary benefits of using this Web-based supplier is its uniquely accessible format. Any business owner knows running your company is an around-the-clock responsibility. For thousands, the company’s 24-hour accessibility is a priceless, timesaving asset that accommodates those who simply cannot take time out of the workday to browse and restock. Often, one of the site’s busiest times is the early hours of the morning, when thousands place orders from the comfort of their homes.

“I am very passionate about making sure we support growing businesses.”

Marc Joseph, CEO and President, DollarDays

When it comes to serving growing businesses, the price point is inarguably the most important factor. The cost-saving benefits of DollarDays are twofold, as both the starting price and order minimums are substantially lower than the typical manufacturer or distributor.

It gives smaller businesses a chance at buying power that has typically been reserved for powerful multinational firms. “Closeouts help businesses buy more with the dollars they have.” The company provides unparalleled closeout deals throughout the year, which spell[s] serious value for companies looking to increase inventory or offer deals.

Most manufacturers and distributors require companies to order products by the truckload, which can be a very expensive or risky move for those with smaller budgets. These requirements make it difficult for businesses with less working capital to expand their range and test out new products. DollarDays has a minimum order of one case, which enables customers to grow their businesses sustainably with peace of mind. “We want our customers to try stuff so they can see what works for them,” said Joseph.

Sometimes, in Web-based businesses, customer service is the last thing that comes to mind, but DollarDays has worked relentlessly to change that, and customer service has remained a primary component of [the] firm’s success. The tradition of door-to-door sales may be dying, but the company has found a way to bridge the benefits of the Web with the appeal of personalized service. “The thing that really separates us from other businesses on the Internet is our customer service in sales.”

The site has an extensive team of inside sales representatives, many of whom come from a background of small-business ownership themselves. “We are able to maintain the backbone of our business, because our inside salespeople are really working with our customers to help them grow their business.”

Buying products is a very personal business, and the company takes this commitment very seriously. Although thousands of customers access and place orders on the website with no assistance, a substantial number of clients choose to work closely with the in-house sales team. The sales team moves through the site with customers, providing insights and tips on everything from regional popularity to the price point of similar goods.

“The company’s Web-based platform became a hotspot for SMEs and nonprofits seeking an alternative route to sourcing stock.”

Similar to SMEs, the nonprofit sector has faced the very real threat of severe losses. In an industry predicated on helping others, the importance of a dollar extends beyond the cost of goods. Nonprofit organizations are an increasing portion of DollarDays’ business, and assisting them to grow is a primary mission for the firm.

As a substantial part of the company’s client base comes from the nonprofit sector, the in-house sales experts are experienced in providing the insights and sensitivity necessary to help novice buyers make economically strategic decisions. “It is as important with our nonprofits as it is with our businesses that they are working with people who understand their budgets and business. Nonprofits aren’t professional buyers—their mission is to help people—so, as experts in how nonprofits work, we can offer exactly what they need.”

The site’s Wishlist Program (similar to a bridal registry) is a free initiative that allows nonprofits to register a list of desperately needed items online. Through this registry, patrons can purchase and ship tangible donations with the click of a mouse.

What really sets it apart is a corporate culture that starts with dollars but is driven by something much bigger. The firm’s relentless commitment to U.S. development is practical, but, at the core, it is ethical, and, in the end, it is this mission that has made DollarDays a company to watch.

Original article here: 
https://mags.businessinfocusmagazine.com/e_mag/BIFNAAug2015/#?page=290

May No Soldier Go Unloved

This is the slogan used by the nonprofit, volunteer-led organization Soldiers Angels, [which assists] families of veterans and veterans deployed, wounded and moving back into society. These volunteers are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of soldiers, as well as regular Americans who know the sacrifices our military makes to keep all of us safe.

For most Americans, we really are not affected by the sacrifices our military makes for their country and, [just] as important, the sacrifices their families make. Sure, when we see them in uniform at the airport, we feel proud, but then the moment passes as we move on with our lives.

Military.com reported earlier this month that 12.4% of Iraq and Afghanistan vets are unemployed, 3% higher than the national average. CBS MoneyWatch.com reported that vets’ unemployment in Michigan is at 29.4%, in Indiana at 23.6% and in Minnesota at 22.9%.

Why is this not headlining news? I am pretty sure that America cares and should feel somewhat guilty that we are not supporting these heroes like we did in past generations.

In Congress, we are beginning to see some isolated compassion. Radio Iowa reported last week that Congressman Bruce Braley is calling for a new tax break for businesses that hire unemployed veterans. The Bremerton Washington Patriot also reported this month that Senator Patty Murray’s bill, the “Hiring Heroes Act,” is trying to smooth the transition process for veterans. [T]he Murphysboro American in Illinois [also recently] reported the honoring of two associates at the Illinois Department of Employment Security who excelled in providing job counseling, testing and placement assistance to unemployed veterans.

[T]hen we read [in] an article in The Huffington Post last week where California is cutting veterans’ courts from their budget. These specialized courts help veterans, so this can’t be good. Why, as a society, are we sending our veterans such mixed messages? As Soldiers Angels believes, “May no soldier go unloved.”

Both my father and father-in-law are WWII vets. Interestingly, both visited the VA hospital this month, and both commented to me how sincerely compassionate everyone at the hospital was—from the receptionist to the nurses to the doctors. I realize that when you are in your 80s, any compassion received from a stranger is amplified, but these proud, old vets truly appreciated how considerately and respectfully they were treated.

So why can’t we show this same thoughtfulness to the vets of this newest generation? Our businesses must show this generation our compassion and appreciation by employing them. Our government must help them transition back to civilians. We, as a nation, must embrace these vets like we embraced my father’s generation.

At DollarDays, we’ve worked with the great Soldiers Angels organization to develop a wishlist of products vets and their families can use. I encourage you to help out this volunteer organization. […]

As a nation, we celebrate Labor Day. As a nation, we celebrate Veterans Day. As a nation, we need to celebrate our veterans having productive jobs back in society. Only a strong moral commitment from both business and government can achieve this. All of us need to work towards this end, [a]nd our veterans need to know: we salute you!

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/veterans-unemployment_b_941822.html

Nonprofits a Loser in All This Mess

Yesterday, July 20, there was an article in The Huffington Post called “Debt Ceiling Standoff Hurts Consumer Confidence.” In The Wall Street Journal today, an article says, “Layoffs Deepen Gloom“ and concludes, “The stepped-up pace of layoffs suggests companies are losing faith in the prospect of a second-half rebound.” Obviously, this is all bad news for small businesses, but it is awful news for nonprofits.

With less discretionary income to spend, both businesses and individuals can’t support their favorite charities like their heart tells them to do. Competition for nonprofit funding is fierce, and because nonprofits traditionally lag five years behind in a recovering economy, there are still several years of lean times ahead.

In spite of all this uncertain and disturbing news, our culture believes in supporting the right causes. I am seeing it increasingly driven by the younger generation, which seems to be better connected with what is happening not only in their neighborhoods but around the world. We get this information instantly now on our cellphones. Facebook has brought friends, groups and communities closer together. All of us, no matter how terrible the news is, are still experiencing the sense to do the right thing.

At DollarDays, we have established the DollarDays Wishlist Program for nonprofit organizations, which enables charities to select from thousands of much-needed items and […] allows their supporters to donate these products directly to their cause. This way, a donor can say, “I donated a case of socks” rather than wonder where their $50 donation went. […] If you are involved in a nonprofit or know one that needs this kind of help, let us know.

This country has got to get through this crisis together. No matter what your station in life is, don’t lose sight of those less fortunate that need our help. If you can’t help with money, help with your time.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/nonprofits-are-a-loser-in_b_906150.html

The American Library Association, DollarDays Announcing a New Member Benefits Program

The American Library Association (ALA) and DollarDays are announcing a new member benefits program. Nationwide, thousands of libraries have found DollarDays a low-cost provider of many of the items they need to successfully run their libraries. ALA members now have the added benefit of free shipping and no minimum order on more than 55,000 wholesale and closeout products to stretch their dollars even further. Visit ALA.DollarDays.com to register your library today.

ALA organizational members also have the opportunity to participate in the DollarDays Wishlist Program. This program is designed to raise in-kind donations of specific items that a[n organization] has requested or needs to support their library system. Organizational members can decide what type of messaging, what logo and what products are most needed at their library.

To take advantage of these new member benefits, ALA members should simply register their account at ALA.DollarDays.com. Members interested in signing up their organization in DollarDays’ Wishlist Program can visit ALA.dollardays.com/aboutus/wishlist.aspx for more information or call (877) 837-9569 to speak with a DollarDays account manager.

“We are happy to be working directly with the American Library Association. I personally enjoy visiting my local library several times a month and know the services and benefits it provides cannot be duplicated. We look forward to helping you stretch your dollars even further during these difficult times,” said Marc Joseph, founder and president [of] DollarDays.

DollarDays has over 1.5 million registered users and ships bulk items by the case to all 50 states and 30 foreign countries. DollarDays is a web-based virtual warehouse where libraries, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations and business owners can find great deals on more than 55,000 consumer products.

About DollarDays
Founded in 2001, DollarDays is the leading supplier of wholesale goods for nonprofits, businesses and betterment organizations. By sourcing affordable products, backed by exceptional service and meaningful community engagement, we strive to inspire and empower our customers to accomplish their missions to improve the lives of people around the world. Recognized as the City of Phoenix Mayor’s Office “2018 Product Exporter of the Year” and Internet Retailer Magazine’s “B2B E-commerce Marketer of the Year” for 2016 and 2017, DollarDays is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit www.dollardays.com.

Nonprofits Use New Online Wishlist Registry to Request Much-needed Items

Charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) status can now create online wishlists of necessities so donors can buy exactly what their favorite organization needs. DollarDays, a premier Internet-based product wholesaler to small businesses, local distributors and nonprofit organizations, launched the online registry for nonprofits to provide people another way to give to a cause.

Similar to a bridal or gift registry, the site allows charities to list their needs—from dog bowls and linens to office supplies, clothing and more—that can be purchased at a reduced cost through DollarDays. DollarDays has more than 30,000 items available at wholesale prices.

“People are generous but also […] worried how their cash donations are being spent,” said Marc Joseph, CEO of DollarDays. “By creating a registry, the charities get exactly what they need, and those who want to give can see exactly where their money is going.”

According to DSD Management Fundraising Services, [from] 2000 to 2004, the number of nonprofits increased 23%, but the amount of money donated by individuals decreased 2%.

More than 50 nonprofits nationwide are currently using the DollarDays wishlist. One of the first to implement the wishlist was [t]he Arizona Animal Welfare League, which is Arizona’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter. Each year, the organization adopts out approximately 2,400 animals and provides education programs for children and adults.

“Using the DollarDays wishlist gives our supporters and donors the opportunity to buy products that directly help our animals and our shelter operations. As a nonprofit organization that operates entirely on private donations, this is an easy way for our supporters to help us meet our everyday needs,” said Claire Simeone, Community Relations Manager [for the] Arizona Animal Welfare League. “This is great idea that many other nonprofit organizations could benefit from.”

Another organization benefiting from the wishlist is Cradles to Crayons, a Massachusetts-based organization dedicated to providing poor and homeless children everyday supplies for life.

“DollarDays gets what we do and continually makes it easy for us to maximize our purchasing dollars,” said Jim Stevens, President [of] Cradles to Crayons. “Our DollarDays Charity Wishlist partnership enables us to make direct appeals to donors who like to know exactly what their donation provides. It gives our donors choices and maximum value.”

Joseph had the idea to create the registry in the days following [Hurricane] Katrina. Government agencies, church groups and individuals used DollarDays to buy items such as diapers, clothes and other basic merchandise […] for the hurricane victims.

“The people I spoke with days after Katrina said they felt safer and more comfortable buying necessities then sending a check,” said Joseph. “They knew that their items would get to the charity and to the people who needed it most.”

According to the FBI, before Hurricane Katrina even hit land, domain names were being bought up by scam artists, and there were more than 4,000 Katrina-related websites that popped up in the aftermath of the disaster.

Joseph adds, “The charities manage their registry so it’s legitimate and current. Charities always need items, whether it’s for the people or animals they are helping or administrative goods to keep their organizations working. Whether it’s money or merchandise, every donation helps.”

According to the American Institute of Philanthropy, a nonprofit watchdog and information service that grades national charities, philanthropies receive high grades for putting 75% or more of donated funds toward program goals while keeping their fundraising drives and overhead below 25%.

Since DollarDays is a wholesaler, the public can buy items off the charity’s registry at wholesale prices, so they are actually getting more for their dollar. DollarDays carries more than 30,000 items ranging from decorative items and clothing to personal care products and office supplies.

About DollarDays
Founded in 2001, DollarDays is the leading supplier of wholesale goods for nonprofits, businesses and betterment organizations. By sourcing affordable products, backed by exceptional service and meaningful community engagement, we strive to inspire and empower our customers to accomplish their missions to improve the lives of people around the world. Recognized as the City of Phoenix Mayor’s Office “2018 Product Exporter of the Year” and Internet Retailer Magazine’s “B2B E-commerce Marketer of the Year” for 2016 and 2017, DollarDays is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit www.dollardays.com.