Network for Good Sees Companies Giving the Gift of Charity in a Down Year

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Bethesda, MD – December 8, 2011 – Amid a down economy, many companies are choosing to replace conventional gifting with the gift of charity at year’s end, according to Network for Good.  Network for Good is seeing strong corporate sales of The Good Card® - a gift card for charity.  Further, companies are purchasing Good Cards at higher dollar values than last year: the average gift card value is up 13% at just under $70.   “More companies are choosing to reward employees, vendors and clients with a gift of charity this year,” says Network for Good CEO Bill Strathmann.  “Our charity gift card product is a meaningful way to say thank you, especially in a down economy, because it allows recipients to feel generous and spread the joy of the season.”   Good Card recipients redeem the cards for a wide range of charities – anything from local PTAs, libraries, and animal shelters to large nonprofits like the American Red Cross and The Nature Conservancy.  Network for Good sees very little overlap of charities selected by Good Card recipients. When presented with a choice in giving, individuals truly have unique interests and passions.   A gift card for charity is an ideal reward for employees or thank you gift for clients, customers and vendors that links their passion for a cause to a company’s brand.  A new study by researchers from Harvard Business School, the University of British Columbia and the University of Liege recently highlighted in the Washington Post confirms that a bonus employees get to spend on others is more motivating than a bonus they get to spend on themselves.  A Good Card recipient can redeem their gift card as a donation to any of more than a million nonprofits, an easy way for employees to share a their personal rewards with others.   “Cisco loves to reward employees with The Good Card®.  Network for Good makes it so easy to design a custom program and their choice in charity means that each employee can give to an organization that matters to them,” remarks a Cisco Systems, Inc. Program Manager.   Good Card purchases, including fees, are tax-deductible to the company and are a creative way to spend funds ear-marked for philanthropy.  In addition, because Good Card purchases are charitable donations, they do not fall under the IRS gift limit or policies around corporate gifts with cash value. Network for Good’s charity gift card program is turn-key, customizable and easy to implement - even at the last minute.  The program is recommended for any company looking to put a special spin on their gift-giving this year.      About The Good Card®
The Good Card^®- a gift card for charity -  has a stored value that can be redeemed as a donation to any of more 1.2 million U.S.-based charities through Network for Good, a nonprofit that makes it easy to support any charity, anywhere, anytime online and helps thousands of nonprofits with online fundraising. Good Cards can be distributed via email or physical or can be private labeled to meet your brand needs. Learn more at www.networkforgood.org/customgoodcard.   About Network for Good
Network for Good is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers corporate partners and nonprofits to unleash generosity and advance good causes.  We’re here to help your company do well and do good. Based on your needs, Network for Good will shape a cause strategy that drives your business and philanthropic goals.   Our proven technology and expertise will enhance your cause marketing initiatives to: match and align your brand with the right cause, maximize your campaign impact through smart, effective design, and measure the ROI of cause programs for your brand.  Network for Good has processed approximately $580 million in donations for more than 60,000 nonprofits since its 2001 founding by AOL, Cisco and Yahoo!. www.networkforgood.org.