What is the giving network?
The giving network is simply a way of helping people find each other. We all go through times where we have needs and times where there are things that we would like to get rid of or give away. Through the giving network, both people who have needs and people who would like to give to others have a way of finding each other quickly and easily. The giving network was designed to make giving easier, more personal, and more rewarding.
How did the giving network start?
The giving network was started by a couple who had a bed to give away, but wanted to give it to a family who could really use it. We realized that there is no system in place to find such people in our city, and the idea of the giving network was born.
How do I use the giving network?
The giving network was designed to be very easy to use.
- If you have an item to donate, simply go to the box that says “give” and follow the directions to post your item on the list. From the “give” page, you can also edit or delete your posting for an item. You can also browse the current needs to see if there is already someone in our database looking for the item you would like to donate. After posting your item, you will wait to be contacted by phone or e-mail (whichever you prefer) and make arrangements to give away your item.
- If you have a need that you would like to post, go the “need” box and follow the directions to post a need for yourself or somebody that you know. You will then wait to be contacted by phone or e-mail (whichever you prefer), and make arrangements to get the item. You may also go to “search for an item” on the homepage and see if someone has already listed to give away the item that you are looking for.
- To search for an item, you go to the appropriate box on the homepage. From there you can search, by category, for items that have been listed as being available for donation. If you find what you are looking for or needing, you can contact the donor and make arrangements to exchange the item.
- If you would like to give, but don’t have anything specific in mind, you can browse current needs. To do this, you go to the appropriate box on top of the homepage and search, by category, for needs that have been posted by people in your city. If you see a need that you would be able or would like to fulfill, contact the person who posted the need and make arrangements to give your items to that person.
What is my ID number, and why do I need it?
Your ID number is assigned to you after you post an item or a need. You will need to write down your ID number and keep it in order to later edit or delete your posting. For example, if you post a couch that you would like to give away, you will want to delete your posting after giving the couch away or will probably continue to receive calls by people wanting to know if the couch is still available. With your ID number, you can go back to the website and delete or edit your posting at any time.
What if I forget my ID number?
After posting an item or a need on the giving network, you will automatically receive an e-mail that will contain your ID number. If you did not receive an email, please check your “Junk” or “Spam” folders to see if it is there. This should help you to keep track of your number for each item that you donate. If you later donate another item on the giving network, you will receive a different ID number, which will also be e-mailed to you.
I have something to give away, but I have no way of getting it to somebody.
If you have an item to donate that you cannot or are not willing to deliver, you will click the box that says “Pick-up only. I cannot ship or deliver this item.” When you make arrangements to give your item away, the person who needs it will either need to pick it up or make arrangements to have it picked up at your home, or an agreed upon location.
How long will my posting stay on the giving network?
Initially, your postings will stay on the giving network for three months. As we grow, we may have to take things off after six weeks due to space issues.
What are the best types of items to give on the giving network?
When posting an item on the giving network, you will see that there are a number of categories to post your item under. Anything can be donated on the giving network. However, if you only have smaller items, such as a couple of pieces of clothing, it might not be worth the effort on your part to post such items and then deliver them. In that case, there are places in town where you can donate clothing where it will still go to people who really need it. Please see below for a listing of such places.
What can I do with my item if nobody takes it?
If nobody contacts you for an item that you posted as a donation, you can either post it again, or you can donate it to Goodwill, a local church, or another local charity organization.
What do I do if someone posted and item and then refused to give it to me?
The giving network acts as a network to help people find each other. However, people wishing to donate items of their own have full discretion as to who they would like to give their item away to. We will not match people, nor will we oversee giving transactions. If someone will not give you an item or has already given their item away, be sure to check the “search for an item” database carefully to see if anyone has a similar item to donate. If that is not successful, post your need on the database and wait to see if someone else is able to meet your need.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Since donations are between private parties and The Giving Network is not overseeing the transaction or handling the items in any way, we are not able to give receipts for tax deductions. In the future, we hope to be able to take financial donations for the giving network that can help to fill unmet needs and cover administrative expenses. When we are set up to take financial donations, we do plan to be able to give receipts so that such monetary donations will be tax deductible.