Kids In Need Resource Center Affiliate Program
The Resource Centers in the Kids In Need National Network are located throughout the country and provide free school supplies to needy children. They operate in a retail environment and offer teachers the opportunity to "shop" for their students' basic school supply needs.
Besides the Centers that are in the Kids In Need National Network, many other free stores for teachers operate throughout the U.S., and others are planned to open in the future.
The Kids In Need Affiliate program is a means for Centers to operate independently but have opportunities that can only be taken advantage of if they are part of a larger group.
- Receive free school supplies from Kids In Need Foundation
- Participate in special product purchase opportunities
- Boost in credibility
“To be able to say you are part of a national network means a lot when you are talking to local funders. Invariably they want to know if there are other similar centers. Sharing in donations from trade shows and from SHOPA vendors is, of course, a major part of our ability to provide students and teachers with basic school supplies. The ability to exchange ideas in both a formal and informal manner is invaluable. One idea we picked up at the Summit last year saved us over $4,000 in printing costs this year.”
Crayons to Computers
Resource Centers become affiliates by invitation from the Kids In Need Foundation after they have expressed an interest and have met certain criteria. A Center must
- Have been operating for at least one year
- Prove financial viability and stability
- Have effective and efficient procedures and policies in place
- Be operating within the parameters of a well defined strategic plan
- Have an executable long term plan for development and sustainability
The Kids In Need Foundation's role in relation to the National Network is to support the Resource Centers. The Foundation is able to provide limited product donations, purchasing power, and networking opportunities. As we strive for national recognition, the Centers will benefit on a national level.
The Foundation's role is to continue to deliver school supplies to the Centers to supplement local procurement. We are focused on the six core items, but will provide whatever else our procurement efforts can secure. Local procurement, however, will always be a major part of the process.
National Network expansion will depend on adding up-and-running Resource Centers to the Network as affiliates and developing new Resource Centers in additional major cities in the U.S. (The identity of those cities is now being developed.)
Resource Centers will be added to the National Network based on how well we can support them, as well as on a Center's level of maturity and its local community support.
The School Box program can be used to reach communities not being served by a Resource Center. It can be used in conjunction with the Centers and, also, to introduce the Foundation and its mission to communities in which a Resource Center might be developed.
The Foundation believes it is our role to advocate on a national level, while the Resource Centers advocate on a local level. However, the Foundation will conduct local advocacy when nurturing a community for the development of a new Resource Center.
For more information about becoming an affiliate, contact the Foundation at +1.937.296.1230, or email us at info@kidsinneed.net.