Availability/Needs

The resource bank may or may not limit the types of oraganizations that they focus on. They may only limit themselves to 501c3s, or they may be more inclusive. Or they may be more exclusive, like the one in LA, which only supplies homeless shelters in the LA county.

These are great to register with, because you could get a steady stream of donated supplies. But it's often hard to tell what kind of supplies and/or when you'd get them.

They will contact you when a donation offer is made to see if you want it, so you usually don't "have to" take it. It's usually optional until you make a commitment. These places are "brokers".

Their identity is wrapped up in being in the middle of the transaction. So beware. There will probably be some kind of application required, and their may be some requirement to "give" something of yourselves, either a photo op, or some other PR thing, or an actual "fee" for delivery of the item(s).

Feel free to ask questions of the Resource Bank. Here are some that I would ask:

- does it cost ANYTHING for our organization to get the items? administrative fees? delivery charges?
- when do we have to decide if we want the items?
- how do we know if the quality of the items will be satisfactory...will you share pictures or other guarantees as to the quality of the items?
- once we decide and we see the items, and they are not as advertised, do we still have to keep them?
- will you sell, borrow, trade or otherwise share our agency information or wish lists?
- can we remain anonymous to the donors? or will we be required to pose for pictures?
- do we have to be 501c3?
- is there any documentation required on an on-going basis?
- will there be any audits?