Donating your Time and Money: Choosing the Right Nonprofit

According to Statista, in 2015, “there were about 1,088,447 public charities” in the U.S. If you’re a volunteer or a group of volunteers looking for the right mission to donate your time and money to, that’s a lot of options. At that point it’s important to make sure you choose a reputable organization, with similar goals. To help guide you, we’ve listed a few helpful tips to keep in mind when donating your time and money to the right nonprofit:

1. Make Sure Your Values Align

This may seem the most obvious, but it is also one of the most important things to keep in mind when working with a nonprofit. Since many nonprofits have missions focused on community betterment, they tend to have a list of core values that inform how they go about those missions.

For example, an organization like the Salvation Army has a very strong religious foundation that is integral to how they conduct themselves and their projects. Some people could have similar backgrounds and so that’s a great selling point which allows them to get on board with the mission right away. For others, they may like some of the projects, but if the motivations aren’t the same it can be hard staying engaged. Therefore, it’s important to take the time and research why a nonprofit is engaging in the work they do to make sure it resonates with you on a personal level.

2. Understand Their Needs

Since we work with nonprofits everyday, we have definitely learned the importance of listening first. Enthusiasm for your chosen nonprofit is great, but it’s only half the battle. Make sure you are communicating with the organization so that you understand their needs and can help them make the largest impact. You could excitedly show up with a trunk full of toy donations, only to find out they recently finished their toy drive and really need socks.

Many nonprofits will utilize a wish list or newsletter to communicate their up-to-date needs. The important thing is to reach out before leaping into action.

3. Avoid Shady Organizations and Scams

Unfortunately, some organizations will pop up soliciting donations for a crisis or some urgent project that are less than reputable. This is when research really comes in handy. It’s easy to get swept up in the moment, because you want to help and don’t want to waste time. I promise, though, you’ll be glad to take the extra moment to dig a little deeper.

One tip is to just start with searching the name of the organization and add “complaints” or “scam”. More likely than not, if they are illegitimate, someone is already talking about it. If you want to go even deeper, there are also helpful tools like GuideStar to help you vet a nonprofit.

Finding a local chapter of nationally recognized organizations like United Way or Kiwanis is a great start for working with legitimate groups. Legitimate or not, you should never be shy to ask probing questions. Make sure you know how successful an organization has been with it’s missions and resources. That could be the deciding factor for if their are worth your hard work and money.

Charity and philanthropy are beautiful things and we applaud all those you participate in it. When you are able to find that mission you truly connect with, it makes it all the more rewarding.

If you are looking for ways to support your local charity through needed essentials, considering shopping wholesale with DollarDays.

Arizona Gives Day: Why It Matters

What is Arizona Gives Day?

April 7th, 2020 marks the seventh annual Arizona Gives Day. Arizona Gives Day is an online event started in 2013 through a collaboration between the Arizona Alliance of Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers. On the day, people are encouraged to donate to Arizona nonprofit organizations. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring attention to these great missions. DollarDays is headquartered in Arizona, so we felt it important to highlight the great work being done in our own backyard.

The Need in Arizona

Unfortunately, the reason there are so many great outreach programs is because the need is high.

To illustrate the need in Arizona:

These are just a few examples, but they show how much local communities need nonprofit outreach.

What Now?

It can be stressful to think about where to begin if you decide give back. That is why events like Arizona Gives Day are extremely valuable for shining a light on what is currently happening in the community and pointing you in the right direction.

We are trying to do our part by providing a Wishlist platform for nonprofits to showcase their specific, needed items and enlist their supporters to donate in bulk. Nonprofits are not always able to rely on steady financial support. The ability to communicate exactly is needed and receive those items in wholesale quantities is invaluable.

Explore current Arizona Wishlists:

We encourage everyone, in any state, to see what is going on in your community and how you can help. We guarantee they would love the support.

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