Streamlining Charitable Donations for Greater Impact: United Way’s Innovative Approach
Ever wondered how your unused items could make a real difference in someone’s life? This October, United Way launched Give for Good, an online giving platform that connects givers with people in need, through our trusted social impact partners and agencies.
Give for Good got started from a simple yet impactful moment. When Meighan Sommer posted numerous household items, including a pull-out couch on Facebook Marketplace, she was amazed by the overwhelming response of families inquiring about the couch. This inspired her to create a safe and secure online solution that connects your donations directly to people in need through trusted partners.
Then, Meighan approached United Way to support Give for Good and leverage our existing front-line agency partnership and movement of changemakers. Our United Way recognized how Give for Good could help us get much needed items into the hands of people who need it the most, aligning with our existing programs like Period Promise, Coats for Kids and Families, and Tools For School.
Now, we are united in our mission to support those in need by offering this new way to give to our dedicated supporters.
Connecting donors and recipients seamlessly
Give for Good offers a centralized platform where agencies can clearly submit their requests, and donors can easily respond through matching an item. This not only simplifies the donation process but also ensures that the right items reach the right people, building a stronger, more supportive community.
Items donated directly benefit those in need. Things such as:
- Baby Items (e.g., formula, clothes, strollers)
- Books and Textbooks
- Bikes and Tricycles
- New or Gently Used Clothing (e.g., winter outerwear)
- Home Items (e.g., appliances, furniture)
Successful soft launch and exciting updates
In May 2024, we initiated a soft launch with a select group of trusted pilot agency partners and our United Way team. This phase was essential for testing the platform’s usability and gathering valuable feedback. Between May and September 20th, we received 43 requests from agencies, totaling an impressive 4,234 items. Additionally, we saw 27 offers from our United Way team, that were successfully matched and completed, showcasing the platform’s potential and the community’s eagerness to give.
Looking Forward
Looking to get rid of some unused items around the house or looking to help with a specific urgent need in the community? With Give for Good it’s as easy as:
- Connect: Sign up and create a profile.
- Donate: Match your donation items to local needs through agency partners. Upload or fulfill requests and arrange pick-up/drop-off details through the platform once an item is claimed.
- Change Lives: Help neighbours in your community.
If you’re interested in becoming a Give for Good agency partner to start submitting requests for help, join our waitlist today.
With our community-led approach, we hope to collaborate with community minded people who have large online followings to help reshare our content and their own experiences.
Join us on this journey to make a meaningful, long-term impact. Together, we can transform goods into good deeds, ensuring no one is left behind.
Keywords: United Way, in-kind giving, charitable donations, Give for Good platform, nonprofit fundraising
#UnitedWay #GiveForGood #CharityInnovation
