Giving for Good Gift Cards - Leader Newsletter November 2011

With a few clicks of a computer mouse, you can find the perfect gift for a treasured friend, join one of the hottest trends in philanthropy and receive a tax deduction – all at the same time. The Dallas Foundation’s new Giving for Good gift cards offer all those benefits while making philanthropy easier and more convenient than ever.

“We want to make charitable giving part of everyday life for as many people as possible,” said Dallas Foundation President Mary M. Jalonick. “Giving for Good gift cards, which work just like retail gift cards, are a great opportunity to do that.”

The Dallas Foundation is the first North Texas agency to offer charitable giving gift cards. Anyone can buy cards in denominations of $25, $50 and $100 through the Foundation’s website, dallasfoundation.org. The cards carry a variety of designs appropriate for birthdays, holidays or expressions of thanks. The Foundation can even customize labels for large orders.

The Foundation mails the cards to the buyer, who then distributes them to friends, relatives, colleagues or customers. Recipients can redeem the cards to benefit their favorite charity through The Dallas Foundation’s website. They also can give the cards directly to nonprofit groups.

Giving for Good cards can be a meaningful way to thank customers or employees around the holidays, Ms. Jalonick noted. They’re also a good way to introduce the next generation to philanthropy.

“Young people have grown up with gift cards, and young people usually are sophisticated shoppers,” she said. “Parents and grandparents can use Giving for Good cards to help teach children and grandchildren how to give wisely. The older generation provides the cards, and the younger people do the research – the ‘shopping’ – to determine which nonprofit most deserves their gift.”

For more information about Giving for Good gift cards, please visit dallasfoundation.org or contact Anne Davies at adavies@dallasfoundation.org or 214.741.9898.