The Poor, the Elderly, the Disabled Stand to Lose the Most

12/04/201201/28/2019Leave a comment

More Americans used food stamps to buy their Thanksgiving dinner than any time in our history according to U.S. News & World Report. Forty-two million of us are on food stamps, and the food-stamp program (now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or “SNAP”) cost the U.S. government $72 billion last year. This means one in seven U.S. residents receive[s] SNAP benefits.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, three out of four SNAP households include a child, a person age 60 or older, or a disabled person. Households with [a] very low income of about $8,800 a year are the receivers of SNAP. The average monthly SNAP benefit per household was $287, or $4.30 per person per day. This was a 70% increase in SNAP benefits from the 26 million people who received benefits in 2007. If we need one measurement of how crushing this recession has been, this is it.

So here we are in the last month of 2012 with our government facing another crisis (commonly now referred to as “the fiscal cliff”), and wouldn’t you know that charitable giving is once again in the forefront of cuts. According to CNN, the charitable deduction is the ninth-largest tax expenditure in the federal budget. In 2014, the amount of revenue the government would forgo from those claiming charitable deductions is estimated to reach $52 billion. Currently, the wealthiest Americans can write off as charitable deductions 35% of their total contributions, and President Obama wants to move that down to 28% in the latest rounds of negotiations on Capitol Hill.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that there are significant differences in how much we give. In Utah and Mississippi, households average 7% of their income to charity, while in Massachusetts and three other New England states, giving is under 3%. Middle-class Americans give a far bigger share of their discretionary income, with households earning $50,000 to $75,000 giving an average of 7.6% of their income to charity compared to 4.2% of people making over $100,000. Religion has a big influence on giving patterns. Two of the top nine states giving the most as a percent[age] of income are Utah and Idaho, [which] have a high number of Mormon residents [who] have a tradition of tithing 10% of their income to the church. All of the other seven top states are in the Bible [B]elt.

Although not all [of a] nonprofit[‘s] income is tied to tax incentives, the fear among nonprofits is that much of it is tied to what Washington, [D.C.], will be deciding in the next few weeks. According to The Arizona Republic, […] 28% of Arizonans claimed federal tax deductions for nonprofit organizations that totaled $2.73 billion. The charitable deduction is especially popular as you climb the income scale; whereas 12% of taxpayers earning less than $50,000 claimed this deduction, 81% of those making more than $100,000 claimed the charitable deduction.

Who is going to help those in need if our government decreases the incentive many Americans have to give? In states where the population has a tendency to give anyway, those in need may be propped up, but in states where tax incentives drive giving, those in need may be in real trouble. […]

In reality, giving has got to come from the heart, not because you are saving some money in taxes. In actuality, though, movements by the government to guide how we live and spend our money are a major influence on how nonprofits get funding. All of us who trust in the good of nonprofits must let our leaders know that we believe it when the nonprofit organizations tell us that they fear this fiscal cliff will shut down donations, and this result touches us all. […]

This recession has taken its toll deeper than anyone expected. When over 42 million Americans have to rely on our government for food stamps and most nonprofits must also rely on our government to help influence donations coming their way, we cannot absorb any more hits to our charity safety net. The lame-duck session is now going on in Washington, D.C. We cannot afford lame-duck results.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/tax-incentives-donating-_b_2203796.html

Disaster Creates Huge Demand for Survival Supplies for DollarDays

11/13/201202/22/2019Leave a comment

“We had orders for survival supplies even before [Hurricane] Sandy hit the East Coast as people prepared for the worst, and they are still pouring in. The demand for our wholesale Marc Gold fleece blankets is incredible—we continue to ship thousands.

“In addition to stay-warm supplies such as jackets, hats and gloves, [items like] flashlights, personal hygiene kits and food are selling fast. Businesses, nonprofits and consumers are buying in bulk to be well prepared for the long road to recovery. It’s hard to imagine what it’s like to be in such a horrible disaster. We are happy to be able to provide some relief to the victims of Sandy.

“Read the Huffington Post article, ‘Holes in the Safety Net,’ to see why DollarDays recommends that people partner up with The Salvation Army, Red Cross, Gospel Rescue Mission and other nonprofits equipped to help with disasters,” says Marc Joseph, President and CEO of DollarDays, a subsidiary of America’s Suppliers, Inc. (AASL), the premier Internet-based wholesaler to small businesses, nonprofits and local distributors.

You can help, too, by participating in DollarDays’ Facebook merchandise giveaway by nominating any nonprofit organization to share $5,000 in merchandise through November. Additionally, visit DollarDays’ site, where designer Marc Gold is […] giving away 100 cases of toys to 100 different community toy drives, and nominate your favorite organization. It’s an easy and free way to help others at the time of year that giving is so important.

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.

Holes in the Safety Net

11/02/201201/28/2019Leave a comment

America’s national safety net of social services is a curious public/private mix supporting the most vulnerable people in our society. It has been clearly pointed out to us this fall that in our current economic crisis, the government will have to be doing less, because the dollars are not there.

According to the [National] Council of Nonprofits, because [C]ongress has failed to act to reduce the deficit, $54.6 billion will be chopped from domestic programs. This includes $600 million from Head Start, $140 million in financial aid to college students, $2 billion from rental assistance programs, and $600 million for disaster relief and block-grant funding for health and human services. They also posit that special education will be cut by $1 billion; childcare and development cut by $187 million; and food for women, infants and children (i.e., the WIC Program) will be cut by $543 million. America is very lucky that in just about every community, there are nonprofits there to help catch us as we fall, although these government cuts will certainly be more than they can handle.

Let’s take a look at a few of the nonprofit safety nets that are out there today to help:

The Salvation Army […] is the second-largest charity in America. […] There are […] nearly 8,000 Salvation Army locations and more than 4.5 million volunteers assisting 32 million people each year. [T]he charity operates in 125 countries [and] in 175 different languages. They operate over 1,300 thrift stores in the United States and support causes for disaster relief, soup kitchens, drug and alcohol counseling, camps, community centers, and homeless shelters.
Goodwill […] was founded in 1902 in Boston, where they began to collect used household goods and clothing in the wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired those who were poor to mend and repair the used goods, which were then resold or given to the people who repaired them. Goodwill has turned into a $4 billion nonprofit organization operating a network of 165 independent community-based organizations in the United States, Canada and 14 other countries. They provide employment, training and support services to 4.2 million individuals.
The Association for Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM) [Editor’s note: In fall 2018, AGRM became CityGate Network] was founded in New York City in 1913 to provide emergency shelter, food, youth and family services, education and job training programs, rehabilitation programs, assistance to the elderly poor, and assistance to at risk youth. AGRM has a network of 275 rescue missions providing 43 million meals and 26 million nights of lodging with 300,000 volunteers.
[The Marine] Toys for Tots [Foundation] began in 1947 in Los Angeles and then expanded nationwide. They have provided 351 million toys to 166 million needy children and conduct local campaigns in 516 communities.

The Wilmington Star News [in North Carolina] reported this October that nonprofits have seen huge cuts in government support, including agencies that help seniors, children and the mentally ill, and organizations that oppose domestic violence. […] One-third of [the state’s] nonprofits cut services. In North Carolina, nonprofits create 450,000 jobs, which is one-tenth of all state jobs, equal to the employment in retail. [North Carolina’s] nonprofits pay $13 million in wages. Add onto this the planned government cuts at the end of this year, and [the] state […] will be reeling in cutbacks to those who need it most. I don’t know how our big charities can step up any more than they are doing now to pick up the pieces.

In this election year, the Social Science Research Network published a report comparing the charitable giving based on your political affiliation. They concluded that conservatives and liberals are equally generous in their donation habits. They then showed that while levels of giving were roughly equivalent, liberals are much more likely to donate to secular organizations, while conservatives are more likely to donate to religious causes. Their final conclusion was that charitable contributions fluctuate based on the political landscape. [One of the two major parties] donate[s] less money when [the other major party] occupies the White House.

We all know that the most vulnerable part of our society is going to be in real trouble for the next several years as we struggle to get this economy back on track. This is the season where the rest of us have got to pitch in and support those fine organizations that are creating the safety net while our government gets its act together. Get interested in The Salvation Army. Get interested in Goodwill. Get interested in AGRM. Get interested in Toys for Tots. […]

It does not matter if you are a Democrat or Republican or Independent; [w]e are all obligated to help the less fortunate in our community. If you can’t help out with cash or donated clothing, help out by becoming one of the volunteers that ring the bell or sorts the toys. We, as human beings who have compassion and humanity taught to us from the beginning of life, can make a difference for those less fortunate.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/non-profits_b_2057546.html

Giving is Down, but Caring is Up

06/06/201201/28/2019Leave a comment

[In 2011], the people of the United States were ranked as the most generous in the world in terms of giving time and money to nonprofits, up from fifth place in 2010, according to The L.A. Times. [Approximately] 65% of Americans said they donated money to charity, 43% volunteered their time, and 73% helped a stranger. As far as giving money, Thailand is the most generous, with 85% of their population donating money. [I]n the United Kingdom, 79% gave money, but the British and most of the rest of the world are about half as likely to do volunteer work as Americans, so that is how America regained its No. 1 ranking in 2011. The top-ranked United States was followed by Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University reported that Americans overall contributed 2% of disposable personal income to philanthropic causes, which is the percent[age] that has remained consistent over the decades. […] This tells us that, despite personal and economic hardships, Americans remain steadfastly committed to each other and their communities. Philanthropy is at the heart of who we are as a society. The Center breaks down our giving as:

Religious Donations	35%
Education	14%
Foundations	11%
Human Services (Emergencies)	9%
Public-society Benefits	8%
Arts, Culture & Humanities	5%
International Affairs	5%
Environment/Animals	2%

We have always believed that our top 1% is the most generous part of our population to nonprofit organizations. According to Philanthropy.com, the top 50 donors in 2011 contributed $10.4 billion, of which $6 billion was from Margaret Cargill, who died in 2006 and her assets [were] formed [into] a foundation in 2011. [W]ithout this, the top 50 total was $4.4 billion. In 2007, the top 50 gave $7.3 billion, and, in 2008, the top 50 gave $15.5 billion. Twenty-nine people on the top 50 list in 2011 gave $50 million or more, [b]ut wealthy people still are not feeling as generous as before the recession. […] The median gift from these donors is $61 million, compared to $74.7 million in 2007.

This top 50 group gives differently than the rest of the United States. [Roughly] 36% [of their donations] went to higher education, 35% to foundations, and 15% to hospitals, medical centers and medical research. No one in this top 50 gave […] $5 million or more to a social-services group. Many philanthropists don’t see human-service organizations as the best way to alleviate America’s problems. Quoting Eli Broad, “[H]e has some sympathy for the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protestors, but their message of inequality supports his diagnosis of what ails America. [A] poor education system and education will help solve many of our problems.” Interesting[ly], within this top 50 group, only two people who made the biggest gifts of the year are among the 69 who signed the Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates “Giving Pledge,” which promises to commit at least half of their wealth to charities.

Forbes reported that the 200 largest U.S. charities are only 0.002 of 1% of the country’s 1.5 million tax-exempt organizations, [y]et these top 200 received $41 billion in gifts, which is one-seventh of all charitable contributions. The largest charity is the United Way, with No. 2 being The Salvation Army and No. 3 Feeding America. In June 2011, 275,000 nonprofit organizations lost their tax-exempt status for failure to file legally required documents for three consecutive years. In fact, according to the IRS Tax-exempt Organization’s Table 25, there are [fewer] tax-exempt organizations in 2011 than in every year since 2003. With this turmoil in nonprofit organizations going in and out of business, it is no wonder that our largest donors tend to migrate to the nonprofit organizations that have been around awhile and have a track record.

The rest of us 99% don’t have the luxury of giving millions of dollars to our favorite charity, [b]ut we can give a little, even if it is the national average of 2%, to support causes we believe will help change the world. […] Giving is as good for your own soul as it is for the people you help. If you don’t have the cash, do what 43% of Americans do: volunteer to help a nonprofit that helps others. This is an honorable way to be part of giving back so those in need don’t give up. Giving your time or giving your hard-earned dollars has a rippling effect. A single act of kindness can change lives—and statistics.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/donating-non-profits_b_1570890.html

No Nonprofit Should Be Left Behind

01/10/201201/28/2019Leave a comment

Now that the holiday season is over and retailers in general are reporting slightly higher sales than last year, the business community is letting out a shared sigh of relief, because it could have easily gone the other way, continuing the recession we have all been dealing with over the last three years—[a]nd, as USA Today reported last week, “Many business[es] say they are ready to increase hiring in early 2012 after seeing stronger consumer confidence.”

With this cautiously optimistic news, why do our nonprofits continue to report having less money to provide the services our society has counted on them to deliver? Is it because, with our gridlock in Washington, our government can’t provide for those in need, so it falls back on charities to pick up the slack? Is it because America has now passed the giving season? […] [I]s it just a sign of our times, where nonprofits are in the rearview mirror to all of us lucky enough to have jobs?

The Tacoma, Wash., Tri City Herald reported last week that “families [are] turning to private charities for everything from medical care to diapers. Beverly Weber, CEO of the [local] United Way, […] calls it a “squeeze from two directions, with less government funding of human and social services and a greater demand. When families can’t get services through scaled-back state programs, they turn to charities.” [S]he [adds], “Also, some employers have dropped health insurance programs because of the expense, and many employees have opted out of their health insurance for the same reason.”

CNBC reported last month that “U.S. nonprofits see slow economic recovery, and […] many of the nation’s nonprofit organizations are digging in for another three to four years of financial distress. Most of the nation’s smaller charities saw donations drop again this year, and food pantries and homeless shelters reported funding crisis because of an increase in need, coupled with a drop in donations.”

The Daily Astorian in Oregon reports that the United Way, which receives much of the funding from donations of voluntary payroll deductions, has seen those contributions decrease each of the last four years because those generous people are not employed anymore or they have had to cut their donations to survive themselves.

This same story is repeated in community after community where the “have not’s” are suffering more than ever and the “haves” are just moving on with their lives. The season of giving is over except for anyone with a conscious. Most of us made resolutions last week and hope we can keep at least one. The one all of us should keep is to go out of our way to help our fellow Americans, at least until this economy gets back on track and our nonprofits can get healthier, even if it takes three to four years.

Businesses should be leading the rest of us in this effort to help. This month, the small contribution my company, DollarDays, is doing is giving away 1,200 socks to 13 different nonprofits on our Facebook page. […]

If every company and every organization looked deep within how they can support their community, I am sure all of our little efforts will accelerate the nonprofits digging out faster than three to four years in order for them to serve the greater need. In the history of mankind, those too poor were sent to debtor’s prison and society wrote them off. Luckily for us, in 1833, the United States abolished federal imprisonment for unpaid debts, [b]ut we all have a debt to this country that made us the freest society in the world. We need to take care of this debt by taking care of our nonprofits who take care of those of us in need. It is the true cycle of life.

Don’t wait until our next holiday season—[g]ive back now.

Original article here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/no-non-profit-should-be-l_b_1196474.html

Nonprofits a Loser in All This Mess

07/21/201101/28/2019Leave a comment

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

School Supply Giveaway Contest

07/08/201101/28/2019Leave a comment

The Wall Street Journal reported today “For Small Businesses, Recession Isn’t Over.” As a supplier to small businesses of over 140,000 general-merchandise products, we knew the recession wasn’t over months ago, because small businesses are still having trouble getting traffic into their business, [and] those buyers [are spending] less than last year. [O]n top of [that], [small business are still] not […] able to get loans [easily] from banks to help not only keep their business afloat, but, as all optimistic entrepreneurs dream of, expand their business, as well.

Nonprofits are suffering in the same way, because they just can’t raise the kind of funds they need to support the causes needed to sustain our American society. During these recessionary times, all of us, whether you are a business or an individual, need to dig just a little deeper to help.

At DollarDays.com, during July, we are running a school supply giveaway contest of $500 to the school that gets the most votes. In just two days, [more than] 250 schools have been nominated on our Facebook page. […]

Nominations of schools are open until July 18, 2011, [s]o if you know of a school in need, send them to this contest—[o]r, better yet, figure out a way where you can give back, [too]!

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/school-supply-contest_b_893471.html?ec_carp=4117238912175737153

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

10/06/200602/22/2019Leave a comment

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.

Nonprofit Organizations the Fastest-growing Sector on Top-rated Wholesale Distributor to Small Retailers

08/16/200402/22/2019Leave a comment

Nonprofit organizations are the fastest-growing sector of customers on [the DollarDays website]. […] Orders from nonprofits—including medical, educational and charitable institutions—are up 147% over the previous year.

“Nonprofit organizations are small businesses, and, just like any small business, nonprofit groups need to make their donations go as far as possible,” said Marc Joseph, COO of DollarDays. “When they buy their necessary supplies by the case on DollarDays, they are putting their donors’ hard-earned money to good use.”

Joseph reports that nonprofits are buying everything from office supplies and health-and-beauty products to fundraising items. Other top-selling supplies include batteries, inexpensive clothing, recognition awards and plaques, holiday greeting cards, and small electronics.

“Recently, an Oklahoma elementary school principal purchased hundreds of tennis balls from DollarDays to use on the bottom of his student’s chairs so they won’t scratch the school’s newly resurfaced wood floors,” said Joseph. “In addition to it being cost-effective, it’s incredibly innovative, and I’m thrilled we were able to help him.”

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