New Research Surfaces the Many Benefits of Corporations Donating Inventory

Last week, Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs released research on the Business Case for Product Giving. This research is the first-of-its-kind analyzing donation versus liquidation and disposal and clearly demonstrates that companies can improve their bottom lines while doing social good. The report provides new information to help corporations make good inventory management decisions year-round, and is especially timely for those retailers with January 31 fiscal year-ends.  Highlights of the findings follow:

•    Product philanthropy has substantial benefits due to the significant financial, environmental and social ROI.
•    Based on financial impact alone, product donation is largely superior to disposal and is more beneficial than liquidation.
•    Ancillary benefits include impact on brand image, customer loyalty, employee recruitment and engagement and environmental stewardship.
•    Donating product is an attractive alternative to cash; and has considerable socio-economic impact.
•    A research paper that provides a comprehensive analysis of product philanthropy in business is downloadable here. 

Our hope is that the report will inspire more companies to consider product donation as a viable alternative to liquidation or disposal. In partnering with Good360 to facilitate the donation process, companies will be in good company with corporations such as The Home Depot, Hallmark, HP, Mattel, H&M and Tempur-Pedic. As Good360’s CEO Cindy Hallberlin says,  “For many, there is an untapped strategic opportunity to use product giving to advance the business and have substantial social impact on the communities and causes about which they care deeply. Rarely is there such a win-win between business and social good.” Read more about Good360 in Fast Company’s blog today.

For companies interested in donating inventory now, please either go to http://give.good360.org  or contact Doyle Delph at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or (703) 299-7532. For companies interested in designing strategic product giving programs, please contact Kelly McSween at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (703) 299-7538.