In-Kind Donations

Your contribution makes a difference!  Please consider how you can help us serve our neighbors.  We understand that some people prefer to contribute items or services rather than money.  Please contact us to discuss your gift-in-kind prior to dropping it off.

The information provided here is intended to provide you with some background about how in-kind donations fit into our services, and information about the most appropriate ways you can help us.  An important first step when thinking about donating goods to any agency is to determine what their policies are on in-kind donations, and ascertain whether they have a need, or the means, to accept your donations.

Cash is Best

Financial donations to Neighbors’ Consejo are the best way to help us in our work.  Monetary contributions enable us to purchase exactly what we need.  Cash is the most efficient donation because it does not use us scarce resources such as staff time and storage space and because it can be transferred very quickly to those in need.  Cash donations do not require transportation costs, which can sometimes outweigh the value of the materials donated.  Cash donations prevent culturally and dietary inappropriate giving.

In-Kind/Material Donations Can Also Help If Handled Properly

If you do decide to donate materials rather than cash, there are some steps you can take to ensure that your donation can benefit us.

Before you collect anything …

Call the Development Office at Neighbors’ Consejo, (202) 234-6855, in order to find out what items are most needed.  We do maintain a small Wish List of items that we need/use on a regular basis.  Some of the items on the Wish List include small office equipment, furniture, household items, and personal care items (deodorant, tooth paste, etc).  We welcome long-distance phone cards and gift certificates for area grocery stores and clothing merchants.  During the Holiday Season we do collect toys and gifts for our clients.  If you would like to donate during this time please call the Development Office to discuss your gift.

Process for accepting donations

  1. Call the Development Office to discuss your donation.
  2. Fill out and sign a Donation Form.
  3. Drop or send your donation to Neighbors’ Consejo.
  4. Neighbors’ Consejo will receive your donation and send an appropriate acknowledgement.  Remember, we do not assign monetary value to a material donation – please consult your tax advisor.  We will acknowledge in writing the amount of a cash contribution or provide a description of the non-cash contribution.

Use of material donations

All donations are used for our business operations or provided to our clients.  No donations are given to employees for their personal benefit unless the donor stipulates the desire for the gift to be used in that manner.  Donations are tax-deductible, according to the law.