ALEXANDRIA, VA. - September 9, 2008 - Gifts In Kind International, the eighth largest U.S. charity and the world's leader in product philanthropy, will host the first conference (www.giftsinkind.org/ProductGivingConference) to focus on product giving, October 13-15, 2008 in Alexandria, Va. Titled "Innovation in Product Giving-Creating Value for Business & Community," the event will feature workshop presenters from top companies working in the product-giving field, including IBM, The Home Depot, Men's Wearhouse, Wal-Mart, Mattel, Office Depot, HP, Motorola Inc., 3M Corporation, CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond and numerous others.

"We are pleased to host an event that will showcase the best in product giving and provide hands-on information for corporate executives seeking to improve their company's philanthropic impact, as well as their bottom line, through product giving," said Gifts In Kind International Board Member and Conference Steering Committee Chairman Paula Baker. "Those companies offering the most innovative programs are slated to present at this not-to-be-missed conference."

With non-cash giving on the rise over the past several years, more involvement from corporate donors and a renewed emphasis on measurable impact by the philanthropic community, Gifts In Kind International determined that this year was a perfect time to bring the corporate community together to share best practices and address how companies can effectively align product-giving programs with philanthropic and business goals.

Hands-on workshops presented from industry leaders in the field will highlight how to enhance corporate sustainability strategies through product giving, engage employees, measure philanthropic impact, develop signature programs with nonprofit partners, enhance supply chain profitability, benefit from tax deductions, improve loss prevention strategies, build connections in communities and much more. A full list of workshops is available at www.giftsinkind.org/ProductGivingConference.
This first-of-its-kind event will also offer valuable and unique insights from four widely respected keynote speakers:

Charles Moore, executive director of the well respected Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, will provide the latest corporate giving trends, with a highlight on in-kind philanthropy, from the organization's corporate survey.

Andrew Savitz, the sought-after author of The Triple Bottom Line: How the Best Run Companies are Achieving Economic, Social and Environmental Success - And How You Can Too, will offer his vast experience and unique perspective on the issue of sustainability, with a focus on how product donations can fit into corporate environmental strategies.

Kyle Peterson, a managing director for FSG, a nonprofit organization co-founded by the Harvard Business School's Michael Porter, will provide an eye-opening look at emerging social issues and a framework that corporations can use to address them.

Jim Welch, president and founder of The Growth Leader, Inc., will deliver an inspirational opening keynote about innovation and the latest strategies companies are using to solve some of today’s greatest business and social challenges.

Please contact Melissa Trumpower for more information about the Innovation in Product Giving Conference at mltrumpower@giftsinkind.org or (703) 299-7547.

Ranked by Forbes Magazine and Charity Navigator as one of the nation's best-managed charities in America, Gifts In Kind International (www.giftsinkind.org) works to enhance, empower and restore communities in need by generating and distributing corporate product donations through its network of more than 120,000 qualified nonprofit organizations that are doing important work around the world. The nonprofit organization manages donation programs for a wide range of Fortune 100 companies and retailers.

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Ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the nation's best-managed charities in America, Gifts In Kind International (www.giftsinkind.org) works to enhance, empower and restore communities in need by generating and distributing corporate product donations through its network of more than 100,000 qualified nonprofit organizations. Gifts In Kind works with the corporate community to develop giving programs that achieve business and philanthropic goals.

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