Generous or Not: GAP (RED)

About Generous or Not

Many companies promise to make a charitable donation with each purchase. But how much do they give?, Are they really doing good, or are these just cynical ploys to capture our money? How do you know if the companies are GenerousOrNot? That’s what we’re here for.

If companies want to promise that our purchases will do good in the world, we think they should say exactly what they’ll do. What percent of sales, what percent of profits, or what amount per purchase? We did the research. Read on to find the info you need. If you know of other offers for us to list, please email us at submit@GenerousOrNot.org

Of course, when you buy merchandise from a company that donates some small percentage to a nonprofit, well, only that small percentage of your money is helping make the world a better place.

Further, many of our friends have enough fruitcakes, picture frames and pen & pencil sets. They just don't want more stuff, even if some portion does go to charity. A better way to honor them and to do a lot more good might be to make a donation in their name.

A new website, www.ChangingThePresent.org, makes it easy and meaningful. You can choose not just what nonprofit to support, but exactly what you want to accomplish, e.g., an hour of a cancer researcher’s time, books for children, drugs for AIDS patients, shelter for the homeless, computers for schools, polio vaccines, meals for the homebound elderly, acres of the rainforest, etc. Wish lists, registries and personalized printed greeting cards make it even better and easier.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we could capture for nonprofits even a little bit of the $250 billion that Americans spend each year on birthday, wedding, and holiday gifts.

Monday, November 13, 2006

GAP (RED)

Can something as simple as buying a product make a difference for Africa? That's the hope of Gap, Bono, Bobby Shriver, and Dr. Richard Feachem, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. They're some of the founding forces behind (PRODUCT) RED, a new global business initiative that raises awareness and money for the Global Fund by teaming with iconic brands to create (PRODUCT) RED branded products. Gap (PRODUCT) RED T-shirts are currently available in Gap stores in the U.K.; an expanded collection will launch in the U.S. and U.K. this fall. Half the profits from Gap (PRODUCT) RED products will go to supporting the Global Fund's HIV/AIDS programs in Africa.

Company explanation: http://www.gapinc.com/red/

Donation: Half the profits from Gap (PRODUCT) RED sales

Nonprofit beneficiary: (PRODUCT) RED

Use of funds: Help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

When: Ongoing

About Generous or Not

Monday, November 13, 2006

GAP (RED)

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