New Research finds the Many Benefits of Corporations Donating Inventory

Guest Post by Melissa Trumpower

Groundbreaking research detailing the many economic, environmental, and societal benefits of donating products was released today by Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) and Good360, the nation's nonprofit leader in product giving. Since 1983, Good360 has provided companies that see the strategic value of product giving with the resources to efficiently and effectively donate inventory to nonprofits across the globe serving every cause imaginable. With a record number of Americans living in poverty today, product donations allow people to use their savings to pay for food, health care, prescription drugs, utilities and other vital needs.

The study provides the first detailed examination of the return on investment from donating merchandise as opposed to liquidating or destroying it. As many retailers and other companies approach their fiscal year-ends on January 31, the research provides new information to help them make good decisions about their excess and slow-moving inventory. In addition to providing an economic justification for retailers, manufacturers and distributors to donate excess merchandise, the report gives managers a framework for analyzing the costs, benefits, risks, and opportunities of implementing a product giving program.

"We hope that the report will inspire more companies to consider product donation as a viable alternative to liquidation or disposal," said Cindy Hallberlin, President & CEO of Good360. "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."

For those interested in hearing more about this new research, IU and Good360 will host a webinar today! at 2 p.m. to present key findings and answer questions. Space is limited.

Please register here.

***Join the tweet chat which also begins today at 2 p.m.

Just follow the hashtag #Good360 and #IU.

To download the research study, visit Good360 now!