We want you to know the answers.

Donor FAQS

Q: What type of items can I donate to support my non-profit? What kind of things sell best?

A: In general, we look for items with a value of over $35.00; however, this figure can represent the collective donation spread out over several items. Please visit our “Best Selling Items Guide” (hotlink to page, or PDF) to see what type of items sell best on EBay.

Q: What can’t be donated?

A: Currently the Donations2Dollars process is focused on selling items that we can pack and ship. They also need to be able to fit in to our picture-taking machine located at the non-profit. Therefore, at this time, we are not accepting furniture, cars, boats or other large item donations. In the future, we hope to be equipped to handle these larger items. Additionally, we are not accepting used clothing unless it is sports logo merchandise. Finally, eBay has several items that are restricted from being sold online. (link to PDF of items not accepting)

Q: Will I get a tax deduction for my donation?

A: Yes! You will receive a summary report from the organization you donated the items to either monthly or quarterly, which will outline the selling value of your donations and thanking you for your support to the organization. This letter will be emailed to you and can be used as substantiation to the IRS of your donation(s).

Q: How will I know what my donated items sell for?

A: You will receive an email at the conclusion of each auction stating the final selling price of every item you donate.

Q: How are donors ensured that their items will get the highest possible value?

A: EBay is the leading global marketplace for selling items. EBay’s platform means that your item can be purchased by over 80 million users. In addition, the D2D solution includes a process to take top-notch, high quality photos that attract buyers. Lastly, we are experts in the EBay realm and have a training program to ensure that feedback from buyers is positive. The Donations2Dollars process is designed to ensure and instill confidence in the buyers’ mind about the products they are purchasing. This confidence translates in to higher selling prices.

Q: What happens if the item I donate does not sell?

A: If an item does not sell the first time around, we will relist the item, checking to make sure it is in the right category and that it has quality pictures that present the item correctly. If a donated item does not sell after 2 to 3 attempts at listing it, the donor will be contacted with the options of D2D returning the item to the donor, or donating the item to another organization such as Good Will or The Salvation Army.

Q: Can I monitor how my items are doing after I donate them?

A: Yes! Click Here, to login and see how much money your donated items have raised to support your organization.

Q: I want to volunteer time to support my organization’s D2D Program. How can I do this?

A: Contact your organization or the D2D Program Manager to assist in the fundraising process. Volunteers are always needed!

Q: My business has unused or old merchandise that we would like to get off our balance sheet. Will you accept large quantities of donated items? Will my business get a tax deduction?

A: Yes! Contact the D2D Program Manager at you non-profit to setup a meeting. The sold items will be eligible for a tax deduction for your business.

Q: I am interested in giving a high value item over $500.00. Where can I receive the correct Tax Deduction documents to properly record my gift?

A: Click Here (hotlink to PDF), to access the Government’s Noncash Charitable Contributions Form 8283.

Non-Profit FAQs

Q: How much money can I raise for my organization using the Donations2Dollars solution?

A: This depends on how many items you sell per day and the average selling price you achieve on the items you sell. Typically, we aim for an organization to get to a point where they sell 20-25 items a day (5 days a week) at an average selling price of $35-$45. This can translate into monthly revenue between $14,000 and $22,500. Click Here for a model of our revenue chart. (hotlink to Marc’s revenue model chart PDF).

Q: Why is the Donations2Dollars solution different from what is already out there?

A: Unlike traditional forms of giving, such as cash, checks, and appreciated stock, D2D allows people to support their organization without directly reaching into their pockets. It is estimated that an average household has $2,700 of unused, no longer needed items—how will you put them to use?

Q: Who will operate the fundraising store?

A: Non-profits are encouraged to hire a store manager or give “ownership” of the project to an existing employee. Volunteers are an important tool since they can assist in the process as well advocate for the program in the community.

Q: How will my NFP determine if an item has value and will sell on EBay?

A: Included in the Donations2Dollars solution is software that is capable of analyzing how certain items have sold on EBay during the past 90 days. This allows store volunteers to quickly ascertain if an item is worth accepting, or if it is more suited to be donated to another organization.

Q: Approximately how many clienteles should a participating non-profit have?

A: At this juncture, Donations2Dollars is best stated to aid organizations that cater to or have a client base of 2,000 to 3,000 users, alumni, donors or interested parties.

Q: What type of non-profits are you currently working with?

A: Currently, we are working with Private Schools (K-12) and Community Centers.

Q: My organization already has a traditional auction event… can we still use Donations2Dollars?

A: Yes! Donations2Dollars has the ability to help both ongoing auctions and short-term, event-specific auctions and fundraising events.

Q: How many hours per week will a non-profit have to commit to the Doonations2Dollars fundraising solution?

A: Depending upon fundraising goals, a minimum of approximately 20 hours is needed to successfully manage the Donations2Dollars fundraising program.

Q: How and where will I safely store donated items? How much space do I need?

A: Included in the Donations2Dollars solution is a shelving solution to store items. Ideally, a non-profit will have approximately 250 sq feet designated to the Donations2Dollars program, with the ability to lock the space to securely store donations.

Q: How will my NFP manage listing so many items on EBay?

A: The software solution that Donations2Dollars has put together for non-profits enables you to effectively and efficiently run the business properly.

Q: What does my NFP need to begin?

A: Two things: a separate bank account from ongoing NFP operations and a credit card to enable the setup of a PayPal account to receive and manage the payment process of EBay.

Q: How will I solicit donations from my clientele base?

A: Donations2Dollars includes marketing collateral than can be quickly and easily customized to your non-profit organization. For an example of marketing materials, Click Here (hotlink to example mktg PDF).

Q: How will I track the flow of money during the process?

A: Buyers will pay for items through PayPal, the most widely accepted payment method on EBay. Since every aspect of the Donations2Dollars business will run through a PayPal account, it will be easy for your finance team to track the flow of money and to thank donors for their charitable gifts.

Q: Can we link the Donations2Dollars solution into our existing fundraising/pledging/giving credit campaign?

A: Absolutely! We encourage participating non-profits to provide their clientele a new and different way to donate besides cash, check and appreciated stock.

Q: What kind of technical support will my organization have?

A: Donations2Dollars provides an in-depth training seminar to participating non-profits. Donations2Dollars is committed to assisting during the implementation process in any way possible. A representative from our organization will always be on hand to answer questions via phone, email, or in person. We are here to help your organization achieve its fundraising goals!

Technical/Legal FAQs

Q: Who is responsible for sales tax?

A: If an item sells within the state the non-profit operates, sales tax must be collected and forwarded to the state or municipality. The NFP will need to get a state vendors license.

Q: Who legally owns the items once they are donated?

A: The non-profit owns the items once they are donated.

Q: Do we sell to international buyers?

A: Yes! They greatly increase the potential buyer market size.

Q: What kind of liability does my non-profit take for holding these items?

A: These items become your property once the donor gives them to you to sell. Should the item become lost, damaged or stolen you have no liability to the donor other than to provide him with an estimate of what the Fair Market Value of the item would have been had you been able to sell it. The selling software provided by Donations2Dollars should be able to provide you that estimate.