Online dating for donating

Article contributed by Claire.

 Do you have things at home, or work, which you no longer need?  Or are perhaps looking to find out how to help out more in your local community? DonateNZ is a one stop, nationwide, charitable portal which allows you to easily match up the things you no longer need, with charitable organisations.  In the reciprocal way, it also lets you see ways which you can help, by donating goods or services.  The site works as a matchmaker, putting you directly in touch with the organisation; many say “It’s like online dating, for donating”.DonateNZ has a pool of over 1000 organisations using the site to communicate their requirements (called “Wishes” on the site), which are sent out by email regularly to members, prompting them to help out and get involved.   With members across the spectrum of animal services, disability, environment, health, migrants, to local school and playcentres, the scope of requirements is huge and there is not much that won’t find a home through the site!  Once someone even donated a frog!  The most popular categories of donated items include: Computers, Furniture, Clothes and Appliances.  As a general rule, everything which is donated through the site is used, as opposed to being on-sold by the charity.How it works:Make a listing on the DonateNZ website –>Community organisations browse and choose what to accept –>They put both parties in touch –>You arrange pickup or delivery (in most cases the charities are happy to collect) –>Everyone goes away happy!DonateNZ is a website from the people, for the people, which started in 2006 and has gone from strength to strength since its creation.  There are a huge amount of ways that every Kiwi individual or business can get involved.  Business wise, use the site to:

• Reduce waste – save anything usable to donateeg. Roses Are Red Florist now saves all its wrapping offcuts to give to local playcentres arts projects
• Claim back spaceeg. Draft FCB chose to donate all its excess furniture, thus allowing them to utilise the saved space
• Make charitable donationseg. Cash is limited in this economy. Make a donation of goods or services from your business to support the community as well as gain additional PR, like Mr Vintage and Fishpond.
• Showcase your community support and promote yourselfeg. Web Widgets and Hotel Bookings made a contribution to the DonateNZ running costs and receive promotion on our website and in our newsletter in return.

But its not just limited to businesses, DonateNZ is something all Kiwi’s can get involved with.  The more people that know about the site, the more support can be delivered to the grassroots, hard working organisations throughout New Zealand.DonateNZ is run by a registered charitable trust.  The website was started by Claire Sawyers, along with her parents, Jane and Doug Rickit, when she was just 21.  They truly believe that with one online space where the public and charities can communicate effectively, a lot of small commitments to help can deliver a large amount of support nationwide.  Claire works full time voluntarily on the project and appreciates any offers of help or support people make to help advance the venture and help make it the success it should be.  If you believe in their cause and want to support it more, please contact them via their website.