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FAQs

I Have a Couple of Questions?

We work hard to make your donation process as simple as possible. We’re available to answer any questions you may have and to work with you to make your donation process easy.

If you have any questions, contact:
Donna Charles at 212-279-5493 ext. 205 or email Donna at dcharles@kidsdonations.org.
Chris Blake at 212-279-5493 ext. 206 or email Chris at cblake@kidsdonations.org.

Q. What kind of products do you accept? Do you only take children’s products?

A. If you make or sell products that you think can help a child or family in need we’d welcome your donation. Most of the products distributed to children include: clothes, outerwear, undergarments, shoes/sneakers/boots, toys, home goods, home care products, juvenile furniture or products, books, educational products, personal care products, etc. Many of our programs reach young adults and provide adult clothing to families in need.

Q. Is there a minimum amount of merchandise that you'll accept? Can you accept individual items? Do you accept sample lots?

A. We appreciate all donations as small or as large as possible and will take small sample lots, but we cannot take a donation of an individual item.

Q. Do you accept slightly used products?

A. No. Children receiving donations from K.I.D.S. find pride, self-esteem and a sense of caring from the gift of new products.

Q. Do you accept product donations from individuals?

A. As generous as that would be, because of our distribution model, we only accept donations in quantity from manufacturing or retail companies. We do accept and appreciate financial donations from individuals.

Q. How does K.I.D.S distribute these products to children and their families?

A. Over the past twenty years we’ve built relationships with nearly one thousand social service agencies in every U.S. state, in Canada, and for disaster relief, around the world. These agencies best understand the needs of their communities and are our ”feet on the street,” distributing our products directly and efficiently to families and children throughout the year and during times of natural disaster.

Q. Can I select where our products goƒ for example to a school or to a particular city or part of the country?

A. Yes, we will work with you to direct your donations to a particular location of your choice or direct the donation to an agency with the best match.

Q. How do you handle shipments? Will someone take care of the shipping or pick up the products, or do we need to make those arrangements? Who pays for the shipping?

A. We pick up from your facility and deliver directly to K.I.D.S. partner agencies that we work with or that you have chosen which meets our criteria. All agencies must be 501(c)(3) and must be vetted by K.I.D.S. There are no service charges, we use no middlemen and, to the extent possible, we distribute to nearby agencies. Many of our donor companies pay for the shipping as part of their donation but we do have funds from financial contributors that can be used to pay for these shipments.

Q. Do we have to do any special preparation to the products for pick-up?

A. Just call or email to make arrangements and we’ll handle it from there. However, please make sure your donations are boxed or palletized for shipment.

Q. From the time I complete the donation form, how quickly do you arrange for pickup?

A. Within a week.

Q. Do we have to sort or segment our products (by size or amount for example) or will you take the entire lot as is?

A. We want to make it easy for you. We’ll pick up your entire lot and handle the sorting and distribution needs according to what our agencies require.

Q. How do you ensure that donated products won’t be resold in any retail or off-market channel, or taken and returned to one of our local retailers?

A. Before receiving products, an agency must sign a form which requires it, among other things, to remove all retail and merchandise tags to prevent the resale or diversion of any product. Agencies that do not comply with this requirement are taken off our donor agency lists and are reported to the appropriate state agency for mishandling of property.

Q. How can I find out where my products are being shipped, or which agencies are receiving our donations. Will K.I.D.S. send me a confirmation?

A. You will receive a letter for Internal Revenue Service purposes and for your records acknowledging the donation and its value and indicating where the product has gone and how it will be used.

Q. What kind of tax deduction can I have by donating new products?

A. Section 170(e)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code permits regular (“C”) corporations to deduct the lower of: 1) the cost of the products, plus one-half of the difference between the cost and the fair market selling price, or 2) twice the cost. Section 170(e)(3) also permits “S” corporations or a partnership company to earn a straight cost deduction. K.I.D.S. does not dispense tax advice. Be sure to consult your tax advisor for professional guidance.