Product philanthropy has tremendous benefits for business in areas of employee engagement, brand enhancement, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability. Hallmark is just one example of a company that has partnered with Good360 to advance its product giving program to make a difference for both the company and the community.
“At Hallmark we spend most of our time creating cards that help change people’s lives, brighten someone’s days, or send sympathy in a time of need,” said Carol Hallquist, Vice President of Hallmark Cards. “Beyond writing cards, Hallmark is committed to helping people in a significant way, because we know that part of making a genuine difference in every life is recognizing that we share one world—and its resources.”
Because of this belief, Hallmark has created a strategic product philanthropy program with Good360 to make sure that its resources are shared with the greater good. Good360 facilitates Hallmark's in-kind giving on a massive scale by picking up the product donations directly that Hallmark employees have earmarked for the program. Good360 then redistributes the products to nonprofits who request them via Good360's online catalog.
“We could not have achieved our success for our environmental sustainability goals without Good360. In 2010 alone, our Hallmark employees donated more than 45,000 pounds of products. It shows how we can work together to strengthen our common goals, and at the same time contribute to some very needy folks out there," added Hallquist.
Products donated include gift wrap, party products, stationery and stickers. Through this product donation program, Hallmark is able to effectively engage its employees (therefore improving company morale, involvement, and retention) while contributing towards its sustainability and social responsibility goals and strategy.
"To observe the excitement and happiness as families choose these products can only make one smile," said John Geissler, CEO of Agape Distribution, a nonprofit agency that serves the economically disadvantaged. "Hallmark has given its best to those suffering the worst."
