September 2023 - Give InKind

How to Create a Giving Drive with your Team

For companies and teams wishing to make a major impact in their communities, we’d love to introduce the Give InKind Gift Card Giving Drive.

With all the power of an InKind Page, you can drive support from your team into the community in a meaningful and tangible way. Additionally, with Give InKind for Groups and Teams, you can even facilitate multiple giving drives in one convenient location.

Starting Your Gift Card Giving Drive

It’s easy; takes just five minutes!

First, create your InKind Page, and start building your Wishlist (if you’re unsure, see our recommended list of products by Situation to see what gift cards are most helpful to your recipients). Over 200 gift cards are available for direct delivery, including the Care Card. We deliver the Care Card electronically as a gift link that grants the recipient access to choose whichever gift card they want.

If you are helping to build an InKind Page, begin by considering broad categories of support. Similarly, what circumstances do those you are helping face? Additionally, consider how specific gift cards can be deployed as tools to help with these needs.

Here’s an example of how one Non-Profit Is Making Gift Cards their Go-To this Holiday Season.

Here are a few examples of how gift cards may help those you support:

Food: Many have difficulty feeding their families. Gift cards to grocery stores or all inclusive stores like Walmart can be extremely helpful.
Clothing: Clothes and outerwear are a core essential when providing support during life’s challenges. This can be a need of a growing family who has recently adopted, a job interview, or perhaps a changing body because of surgery or medical diagnosis. Don’t underestimate the importance of the right type of clothing and accessories for the situation.
Housing: Does your campaign include finding temporary housing or shelter for families? Did your families have to evacuate because of a natural disaster? Are they traveling for holidays? Which would be more helpful–hotel for the shorter term or an Airbnb for the longer-term?
Transportation: Do your recipients need help getting around town to their job or traveling to see family in need? Will they need a rental car with they get there? Or if they prefer to drive, does their car need a tune-up before they hit the road?
Home: Being able to send the gift of comfort, organization, and/or repair is certainly a meaningful way to show support.
Media & Entertainment: Children (and their parents) could use some distraction. Because of this, keeping them engaged, stimulated, and entertained can be an important part of the healing process when things are chaotic (or provide a much needed escape). Or maybe your recipient needs a reason to get out of the house.
Personal Care: Do your recipients need prescriptions filled? Or perhaps they need to be given the opportunity to take some “me time“?
Pet Care: Meeting pets’ needs can worry their owners the most. In addition to finding care or accommodations for a pet while their owner copes with their situation, other needs like food, toys, and supplies should be considered.

One of the biggest benefits of a gift card train is that you can help connect a community to the exact needs of those you support through your organization.

Additionally it allows people to show their support from anywhere. You’re sure to find the perfect means of support from the 200+ gift cards on Give InKind.

If your organization wants to create a team giving drive, create an InKind Page today to get started.

The Best Gift Cards to Send to a Teammate Recovering from an Injury

Recovery from an injury can be a challenging and often physically demanding journey. It’s during these times of healing that the support and care of teammates, friends, and loved ones can make all the difference. While you may not have the power to expedite their recovery, you can certainly ease their path and brighten their days with a thoughtful gesture: a carefully chosen gift card.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve curated a selection of the best gift cards to send to a teammate recovering from an injury. These gift cards are more than just tokens; they are lifelines, offering both practical assistance and a dose of cheer during the challenging days of recuperation. From ways to relax and unwind to access to essential goods and services, these gift cards convey your warm wishes and support in the most meaningful way.

These gift cards are more than just monetary gifts; they are gestures of compassion and solidarity. Your choice of gift card demonstrates your understanding of their needs and your commitment to making their journey to recovery a bit more bearable. Along with the gift card, consider including a heartfelt message to remind your teammate that they are not alone in their healing journey, and that you stand by their side with unwavering support.

What to say in the card

“Your strength and resilience are truly inspiring. We wanted to send a little something your way to make your path to healing a bit brighter. You’ve got an entire team behind you, cheering you on. Your resilience shines, and your courage inspires us all. Warm wishes for a swift recovery.”

Join us in making your teammate’s recovery journey more comfortable and uplifting. Explore our selection of gift cards designed to bring comfort and hope when you need them most. Your thoughtful gesture will remind them that they are cherished, no matter the challenges they face, serving as a beacon of light and support.

The Best Gift Cards to Send to a Teammate Facing a Difficult Diagnosis

The Best Way to Help a Teammate

Life can take unexpected and challenging turns, and sometimes our teammates find themselves facing a difficult diagnosis that shakes their world. During such trying times, showing your unwavering support and care can be a source of immense comfort and strength. While you may not have the power to change their diagnosis, you can certainly make their journey a bit brighter and easier with the thoughtful gesture of a carefully chosen gift card.

Gift Cards: More Than Just Money, They’re Compassion

In this guide, we’ve curated a selection of the best gift cards to send to a teammate facing a difficult diagnosis. These gift cards are more than just tokens of sympathy; they are a lifeline, offering both practical assistance and a glimmer of hope during their challenging days. From ways to relax and unwind to access to essential goods and services, these gift cards convey your warm wishes and support in the most meaningful way.

These gift cards are more than just monetary gifts; they are gestures of compassion and solidarity. Your choice of gift card demonstrates your understanding of their needs and your commitment to making their journey a bit more bearable. Along with the gift card, consider including a heartfelt message to remind your teammate that they are not alone in their struggle, and that you stand by their side with unwavering support.

Join Us in Making a Difference: Brighten Their Path

Join us in making your teammate’s difficult journey a little brighter. Explore our selection of gift cards that are designed to bring comfort and hope when you need it most. Your thoughtful gesture will act as a beacon of light and support, serving as a reminder that you cherish them, no matter the challenges they face.

Fuel the journey to wellness with grocery gift cards. Nourish the body and soul with stress-free meal delivery. Offer relaxation amidst uncertainty with spa and wellness treatment access.

The Best Gift Cards to Send to a Teammate Recovering from a Surgery

Recovery from surgery can be a challenging journey.

Whether a teammate, friend, or family member is facing a surgical procedure, showing your support and care during this time can make all the difference. While people always appreciate heartfelt well-wishes and visits, you can practically provide comfort and assistance from a distance through the thoughtful gift of a carefully chosen gift card.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a selection of the best gift cards to send to a teammate recovering from surgery. These gift cards are not just tokens; they are a means to ease the path to recovery, offering both convenience and entertainment during those crucial healing days. From streaming services to meal delivery, essential groceries, and versatile retail options; these gift cards ensure your teammate feels your warm wishes and support in the most tangible and meaningful way.

A Deeper Connection Through Gift Cards

In times of recovery, every gesture of support takes on heightened significance. These gift cards go beyond their monetary value; they symbolize your care and thoughtfulness. They provide your teammate with the necessities and also the comfort and entertainment they need to heal and recover fully.

Your choice of gift cards can be a reflection of your understanding of their needs and preferences. Your thoughtfully selected gift card says, “I’m here for you, and I want to make your journey to recovery as smooth as possible.” It’s a gesture of camaraderie, showing that they’re not alone in facing the challenges of post-surgery life.

A Heartfelt Message

Remember, along with the gift card, consider including a heartfelt message. Genuine words of encouragement and support can uplift their spirits and strengthen the bond of friendship or camaraderie you share.

Join us in making your teammate’s recovery journey easier and brighter. Explore our selection of gift cards designed to bring comfort and aid when it’s needed most. Your thoughtful gesture will be a beacon of hope and support during their path to healing.

The Best Gift Cards to Send to a Teammate Welcoming a New Baby

Welcoming a New Team Baby with Heartfelt Support

Welcoming a new baby is a joyous occasion. It can also be an incredibly hectic and overwhelming time for new parents.

That’s why, as teammates, friends, or family members, showing your support and care through thoughtful gestures is so important. We’ve curated a selection of gift cards to send to your teammate as they embark on this journey of parenthood. These gift cards offer not only practical assistance but also the promise of comfort and convenience during those early days with their little one. Whether it’s ensuring they have nourishing meals, essential baby supplies, or a little extra to pamper themselves or their newborn. These gift cards convey your warm wishes and support in the most meaningful way. Explore our selection of gift cards and make the transition into parenthood a bit smoother and a lot more special.

In the journey of parenthood, every bit of help, comfort, and joy matters. These gift cards are more than just money in a pretty package; they are your way of saying, “We’re here for you.” They symbolize the love and support of your team during this incredible and transformative time. Browse our selection, select the perfect gift cards, and make your teammate’s transition into parenthood smoother, brighter, and more memorable.

Practical Assistance with a Personal Touch

Remember, it’s not just about the gift card itself but also the personal touch you add. Consider including a heartfelt note or a congratulatory message to convey your warmest wishes. Let your teammate know that you’re there to support and celebrate this exciting chapter of their life.

You could say, “Congratulations on the arrival of your precious little one! We wanted to send a little something your way to make this exciting time a bit more special. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. Your teammates are here to support you every step of the way. Cherish these early moments, and may your days be filled with baby giggles, sweet snuggles, and all the love in the world.”

How HR Heroes Are Powering Team to Team Support

Give InKind is here to help you support your teammates when they need it most.

As an HR professional, you’ve had team members over the years experience everything. From new babies to illness, surgery, recovery, house fire. Lots of reasons that we come together and support our teammates during these big moments.

My Give InKind of origin story actually started with team to team support.

This is a photo of my living room when my family and I went through a big loss. These flowers are beautiful and I can tell you that no less than six of them came from my company or our vendors. Between my direct team sending us flowers, the company sending us flowers, other teams sending us flowers.

That is sort of the one way that they had to respond.

So I’m curious, now, to have you think about how you respond in those big moments.

And is it a default to send flowers–which may be one of six that person is receiving?

Do you send a gift card?
Do you leave it up to the teams?
How do you respond in these big moments and allow team members to come together and offer support?

As I sat there in my living room looking at these flowers and knowing my coworkers were wanting to help, my family was wanting to help, everyone was spread around the country.

We decided that there could be a better way to have team members come together, extending into friends and family and communities, and make it easy for everyone to give support during those challenging moments.

That’s why we’re here today.

The fact that this is important isn’t just something that I thought on that day.

It is validated by a number of studies that talk about how important it is for your employees to feel supported during those big moments. Not just that we want to help when someone on our team is going through a challenge, but that it’s really important for your team members, employees to feel supported.

15% of our workforce in the United States goes out on FMLA leave every year, which is a number that amazed me.

But if you think about it, FMLA is everything from caring for a new baby to caring for a sick child, to caring for an aging parent.

Lots of reasons that people might be going out on leave. And all ones that I happen to think are pretty deserving of a Give InKind support page.

You may already know this stat, but when an employee goes through a big loss, if they didn’t feel supported by their company as they were going through that bereavement period, 50% of them may come back and look for a new role. Employees who are engaged and feel supported are 87% less likely to resign.

66% will stay at their job because of that support that they felt.

A couple of studies have touched on just how important it is that when your employees are going through these big moments you make them feel supported.

We think that we have made that pretty easy to do.

Here’s how it works.

Step one:

You get the news, learn that someone on your team is navigating a disruption.

Let’s just pause there.

What do we do today?

We’d send flowers or a gift or circulate a card.

It used to be, we’d walk around the office and collect a little money from everyone for their donation.

What Give InKind makes it easy to do is set up a support page. It takes five minutes. You can list all the ways that the team can offer support. Whether that is through signing up to take a meal, offering a ride somewhere, or most often, what we find is, it’s digital gift cards that really are empowering companies to send their support from anywhere. Especially for our remote first co-located teams today.

Step three is their needs are met.

It sounds like I’m oversimplifying it, but it is just that simple.

This map shows a real life example of one employee’s house burning down in Colorado. And the 17 states that people participated from in support over the first 24 hours. Getting their coworker gift cards for Airbnb and Home Depot and the things they needed to meet their needs in that exact moment.

It’s pretty powerful.

Visit our Teams page to learn how to harness the power of Give InKind to support your entire organization today.

The Premium Upgrade: For Give InKind Super Organizers

The Premium Page Upgrade is here to help further streamline your support management with Give InKind.

All page organizers receive email notifications about support being sent through their InKind Page. For Super Organizers the Premium Upgrade is available to access a set of enhanced tracking and reporting tools.

You’ll have access to a dedicated Supporters View, which allows Page Organizers to:

track and resend page Supporter invitations

see who is following the InKind Page
track who has signed up to send support through the Care Calendar
see who has sent gifts and gift cards through Give InKind
resend gift cards to the recipient’s email
quickly and easily email Supporters
compose, send and track beautiful Thank You messages

Premium Page Organizers can browse, search, and export details from the Supporters View, making support tracking fast and efficient.

Note: Supporters View cannot track activity on third-party sites like GoFundMe, PayPal, or external sites used to fulfill Wishlist purchases.

Organizers of a Premium Page also have the options to turn off and on the recommended helpful articles that appear, to simplify the view and focus solely on your chosen support features.

Premium Thank You Messages

While all Page Organizers can send Thank You messages from inside a support notification email, Premium Upgraded InKind Page Organizers can also compose, send, and track Thank You messages directly from the Supporters View on their page.

Everyone can send a Thank You message with our signature aqua-colored background. Premium Upgraded InKind Page Organizers can select from seven additional background colors to customize their messages.

How to Upgrade your InKind Page to Premium

The Premium InKind Page Upgrade is available in the Page Settings of your existing InKind Page. At the top and bottom of the Page Settings, click “UPGRADE YOUR PAGE” to make a one-time payment of $10USD.

There is no subscription or renewal process, only $10 per page to upgrade to Premium.

Once a Page Organizer unlocks Premium, all Organizers of that InKind Page will have access to the upgraded options.

animated gif depicting the premium upgrade area of the Page Settings on a Give InKind premium meal train page

Turning Support into a Superpower: The Give InKind Advantage

Life’s biggest moments, like welcoming a baby, battling an illness, grieving a loss, are often met with an overwhelming influx of, “How can I help?” and “We’re here for anything you need.” While generous and touching, managing all these offers of support can quickly become frustrating.

Super Organizers turn to Give InKind to streamline a stress-free support experience.

Give InKind: A Game Changer in Support

At its core, Give InKind is a platform that aims to facilitate and amplify support within communities during life’s most defining moments. Founded on a bedrock of empathy and the understanding that the most effective support comes in various forms, the heart and soul of Give InKind lie in its mission to foster connections, making it easier for individuals and communities to come together when it matters most.

The Benefits of Using Give InKind

Streamlined Coordination

The interactive Care Calendar serves as the central hub for supporters to sign up for specific tasks or commitments. From bringing meals to running errands, this feature allows organizers to efficiently manage and allocate responsibilities. Additionally, customizable fundraising options and wishlists empower recipients to specify their unique needs, ensuring meaningful and practical support.

Efficient Communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful support network. Give InKind recognizes this and has integrated powerful communication tools into its platform. Supporters can stay informed through real-time updates and messaging features, facilitating seamless interaction among all involved parties. Reminder messages and emailed page updates keep everyone in the loop, fostering an effective community of collaboration.

Gift Registry Integration

Whether it’s a baby shower, housewarming, or support during a medical crisis, you can easily customize a Wishlist tailored to your specific needs. Organizers can also attach Amazon wishlists to their InKind Pages. This makes it it convenient to contribute and ensure that gifts sent align with the recipient’s desires.

Real-Life Success Stories

Pamela, a denim jacket clad, short blonde curly haired woman in glasses, is seated outdoors, smiling warmly, resting her chin on her left hand, which wears an apple watch.

While Give InKind’s features are impressive on paper, the true power of this platform shines through in real-life success stories. From friends and families rallying together to provide care for a loved one battling an illness to a community supporting both the donor and recipient of a living organ transplant, Give InKind has been the catalyst for heartwarming and inspiring moments. These stories serve as a testament to the transformative impact of support when facilitated by a platform like Give InKind.

How to Get Started and Super Power Support with Give InKind

Getting started with Give InKind is a straightforward process:

Navigate on desktop or mobile to www.giveinkind.com/create.
Provide some basic information to establish the framework of your page.
You’ll need to set up or sign in to a personal Give InKind profile. This is from where you will manage all of your InKind Pages.
Fill your InKind Page by creating Care Calendar requests, adding items to the Wishlist, and attaching fundraising accounts or campaigns.
Invite friends, family, and your community to join in and offer their support.

In a world where communities can feel fragmented, Give InKind emerges as a powerful bridge, uniting people during pivotal moments.

It transforms support into a superpower, making it easier and more efficient for individuals and communities to come together, lend a helping hand, and make a difference. The advantages of Give InKind are not just practical but also deeply emotional, forging connections that can last a lifetime.

Now that you’ve glimpsed the incredible advantages of Give InKind, it’s time to explore this transformative platform for yourself. Join the thousands of individuals and communities who have discovered the magic of Give InKind by visiting www.giveinkind.com/create.

Embrace the power of Give InKind and experience firsthand how it can change the way you provide and receive support. Make life’s significant moments all the more beautiful and meaningful. Join us today!

Introduction to Give InKind’s Support Platform for Groups

In life, we all face significant events that require support from our friends, families, and colleagues. Whether it’s welcoming a new member into the family, dealing with a challenging illness, or caring for a loved one, these moments are best met with a strong network of care and understanding. This is where Give InKind comes in–a remarkable platform that simplifies and centralizes support for individuals and groups during life’s biggest moments.

In this article, we will explore the power of Give InKind for Groups, a unique solution designed to enhance team collaboration and support. We’ll dive into the benefits of using this platform within a team environment, share real-life success stories from companies that have reaped the rewards, and provide a practical guide on how to get started.

Benefits of Using Give InKind as a Team

Centralized Support for Every Life Event

Life can sometimes be unpredictable and overwhelming. Whether it’s celebrating the joy of a new baby, navigating the challenges of a serious illness, or providing care for a loved one, your team’s ability to support one another through these moments is crucial. With Give InKind for Groups serving as a central hub for all your team’s support needs, no one is left to face life’s trials alone.

“When one of our team members lost their home to a fire, we were able to organize support immediately. Staff were able to purchase gift cards and provide meals to their teammate in need.” Lacy, Oracle Employee

"Employers that demonstrate care end up with healthier, more loyal and higher-performing employees." MetLife U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Survey 2023 use Give InKind's support platform for groups to demonstrate care among teams As we delve deeper into the remarkable capabilities of Give InKind for Groups, it’s essential to recognize that in addition to streamlining support during significant life events, this platform fosters a sense of unity and compassion within your team. Furthermore, by harnessing the power of Give InKind, teams can reinforce their bonds, promote a culture of empathy, and strengthen their collective resolve to overcome challenges. In other words, it’s not just about assistance; it’s about creating a community where everyone feels valued and cared for. Let’s explore how this platform can transform your team into a close-knit, supportive unit, ready to face whatever life may bring.

The Group Directory: A Unified Space

One standout feature of Give InKind for Groups is the Group Directory. This serves as your team’s virtual meeting place where individual support pages come together. No matter how diverse your team’s needs may be, everything is organized and accessible in one convenient location. This means that, when a team member needs help, they don’t have to search for scattered resources; everything they need is right there in the directory.

Insights with Reporting

Understanding the impact of your team’s support efforts is essential. Give InKind offers comprehensive reporting that enables you to measure the support generated within your organization. These insights empower you to celebrate successes, pinpoint areas where more assistance may be necessary, and make informed decisions to bolster your team’s support network.

“Our teammate lost her father to coronavirus. We were able to create a page to support her family. The Care Calendar made it easy for our team to get organized.” Tracy, Disney Animation Employee

How to Get Started with Give InKind’s Support Platform for Groups

The process of implementing Give InKind for Groups in your team is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

First, Sign Up: Visit the Give InKind website and sign up for a Groups account.

Next, Customize Your Group Page: Once your Group has been created, it will be accessible through your Give InKind profile. Customize your Group page with your company’s branding and information.

Then, Invite Team Members: Invite your team members to join the group. Email invites directly from the Manage Group portal.

After that, Set Up Individual Support Pages: Each team member can create their individual support pages within the group, or you can designate a group admin to set up pages for them. This is where they can share their specific needs and updates.

Start Giving and Receiving Support: As your team members’ support pages come to life, encourage your team to contribute and offer assistance to one another.

Lastly, Monitor and Reflect: Use the reporting tools provided by Give InKind to monitor the support within your group. Reflect on your team’s progress and make adjustments as needed to enhance the support network.

“Grateful to my team for taking the lead on organizing my support when my cancer came back. It helped to relieve my stress during my cancer journey.” Trina, Starbucks Employee

a group of people in a raft collaborate to paddle through a rough river. Many people in the raft are holding their oars up over their heads--a creative depiction of Give InKind's support platform for groups

Give InKind for Groups isn’t merely a support platform;

it acts as a catalyst that strengthens and nurtures more compassionate teams. By efficiently centralizing support and offering valuable insights, Give InKind empowers teams to face life’s challenges together actively. We urge teams to consider Give InKind as a solution for their collaborative support needs. With Give InKind by your side, your team can become a source of strength, resilience, and unwavering support, regardless of the challenges life presents.

Discover the power of Give InKind’s support platform for Groups and foster a caring workplace today.

Powering Team Support with Give InKind for Groups

Life can be unpredictable and challenging, and during these times, the support of friends, family, and teammates can make a world of difference.

However, coordinating and receiving help can often be overwhelming, with well-meaning individuals bombarding you with, “How can I help?” and, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

Wouldn’t it be easier if there was a centralized platform that streamlines support and reduces stress when you’re in need? Enter Give InKind, a powerful tool that transforms the way teams and communities provide support during life’s ups and downs.

Fulfilling Needs, Granting Wishes: Give InKind’s Toolbox

Give InKind is more than just a platform; it’s a hub where you can share your story, communicate your specific needs and preferences, and allow your community to come together and provide support in the most meaningful and efficient ways possible. Here’s a closer look at some of the features that make Give InKind such a game-changer:

Care Calendar: Give InKind offers a Care Calendar that allows you to schedule and organize support activities. Whether it’s meals, transportation, or assistance around the house, you can easily coordinate with your community. This support can be provided in person or through the convenience of gift cards, all seamlessly managed within the calendar.
Wishlist: Share your preferred gifts and gift card options with your supporters. This feature ensures that your community can contribute in ways that align with your needs and preferences.
Fundraising: Give InKind simplifies fundraising by connecting directly to PayPal, CashApp, and Venmo accounts. You can also link a GoFundMe campaign, displaying a live campaign tracker on your InKind Page. Supporters can see your progress and make donations with just a few clicks.
Personal Updates: Keep everyone informed about your journey, developments, and news through written updates, photos, and even videos. This fosters a sense of connection and empathy among your supporters.
Messaging and Comments: Facilitate and centralize ongoing communication through messaging and commenting features. Supporters can stay engaged and connected throughout the support journey.

But here’s the best part – Give InKind takes care of the nitty-gritty details, like gift card deliveries and reminder messages. Page Organizers have access to all the relevant support information, and with the Premium Upgrade, Super Organizers can effortlessly track, report, and resend gifts from the Supporters View.

Team Support Redefined: Give InKind for Groups

Give InKind doesn’t stop at individual support pages. Give InKind for Groups provides a dedicated group page where your entire team can come together, share, and coordinate support for various situations. Whether it’s a team member going through surgery, welcoming a new baby, or caring for a loved one, everyone can customize their support needs.

The group directory centralizes the unique situations within your team, making it easy to provide and receive support among teammates. This not only strengthens team bonds but also ensures that support is just a click away when it’s needed most.

Measuring Impact: Give InKind’s Year-End Report Card

At the end of the day, it’s essential to measure the impact of your collective support. Give InKind offers annual reporting, providing insights into how much support your group has powered. This not only makes for a heartwarming end-of-year story but also serves as a tangible measure of your team’s contribution to a culture of giving.

Join the Give InKind Revolution: Your Support Network Awaits

In times of need, support from your community or team can be a lifeline. Give InKind revolutionizes the way we offer and receive help, eliminating the chaos of scattered offers and providing a unified platform for assistance. Whether you’re an individual seeking help or a team looking to support one another, Give InKind’s features are designed to streamline the process and enhance your sense of community.

So, why wait? Join the Give InKind community today and experience the power of collective support. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Contact us now for more information on how Give InKind can transform your team’s support network. Let’s make a positive impact together.