About Us

Who We Are

Since our founding in 1985, K.I.D.S. has provided over $1 billion worth of brand new clothing, shoes, toys, books, baby products and more to 67 million children in need throughout the United States and overseas. In these 26 years of service, K.I.D.S. has been able to efficiently and effectively deliver essential merchandise to communities prone to chronic poverty; families suffering from life-altering and debilitating circumstances; and communities hit by natural disasters. Thanks to generous donations from manufacturers, retailers and licensees, K.I.D.S. has been able to provide children, and often their entire families, with self-esteem and hope through a gift of something BRAND NEW.

At the heart of K.I.D.S.’ work is building sustaining partnerships with corporations, foundations and local communities to have lasting benefit in the lives of children and families. We solicit product donations from over 1,000 manufacturers and retailers in the children’s business. We then distribute the new clothing, books, shoes, toys, baby products, educational materials and other items that kids need to local partner agencies around the country, which they integrate into their program delivery.

In 2010, we distributed over $100 million worth of new product, and worked with nearly 1,000 local agencies, to help more than 4.7 million individuals within their local communities. Working closely with our product donors and utilizing a cadre of volunteers, we are able to maintain a 2.5% overhead, ensuring that 97.5% is targeted directly to the realization of our mission. This model has earned K.I.D.S. distinguished records of accomplishment in the form of a four star rating for the last four years from Charity Navigator; listing in the Forbes 200 Top Charities for the last three years; and inclusion in the national Better Business Bureau’s top charity rankings over the last three years.

DONATIONS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

In 2010, K.I.D.S. distributed an all-time high of $102.5 million worth of new clothing, shoes, toys, books and juvenile products to 4.7 children and families challenged by poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse, low literacy, military family service, major illness, incarcerated family members, and disaster survival.
Click here to see product donors.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

K.I.D.S. is governed by an active Board of Directors consisting of 37 leaders from the retail, apparel, juvenile products, toy, shoe, accessories, entertainment, finance, marketing and legal fields.

CHARITY TAX STATUS AND ID

K.I.D.S. is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service code. Our tax ID number is 13-3300271.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

K.I.D.S. relies on both product and financial donations to support its activities. If you are a company that would like information about how to donate new product to K.I.D.S., please click here. If you are a foundation, company or individual who would like information on making a financial donation to K.I.D.S., including more information on where your money goes, please click here. You can go to the Get Involved section of our Web site for suggestions for personal and group projects to help children in need and the Events section of our website for information on upcoming fundraising events.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc.
112 West 34th Street, Suite 1133
New York, New York 10120
Tel: (212) 279-5493 Toll Free: (800)-266-3314
Fax: (212) 279-5917
www.kidsdonations.org