Charitable organizations have a continuous need for donations throughout the year. Different needs will require other calls to donors. However, the call for donations sometimes does not attract the desired products. 

Non-profit and charitable organizations worldwide have come up with wish lists that reside in several places, including their websites, newsletters, and even on eCommerce giants such as Amazon. 

It can be a challenge to receive gifts and donations of things that might not fit the need. Charity wish lists become handy, ensuring the giver does not banter with the idea of what to give and the charity organization receives relevant assistance.

As featured in CNN's article in 2017, Holly Krig, who works for Moms United Against Violence & Incarceration in Illinois US, charity organizations face this concern all the time.

"People tend to prefer giving something concrete, and it's easier to visualize or imagine what the impact is when it's something specific," said Krig. "People enjoy picking toys and imagining kids receiving things."

With this in mind, there needs to be a change in the organizational approach.

Why Create or Give Through a Charity Wish List? 

Apart from achieving clarity, wish lists make it easier for organizations and donors to meet their objectives. Here are some more:

1.     Fits into organization goals

Whether the list is for the organization itself or for the members it serves, a wish list spells out what is needed and aligns with the charity's objectives. For example, if a children's home wants to advance extra reading for its kids to improve their education, certain books would benefit. Or, if an organization plans to reach out to single moms, baby items would suffice. The list should speak mainly to an organization's plans, hopes, and dreams.

2.     Helps in administration

Administrators would have an easier time arranging and organizing the gifts and ascertain they would be enough or not. The logistics of sorting out unsolicited donations can be a nightmare to any administrator. Charity wish lists can reduce the amount of time used in sorting giving, making it more efficient.

3.     Do not end up with junk

Various people view giving differently. Some people would share what they do not use without evaluating if it's relevant to the cause. Charity organizations end up with stuff they have to store but cannot use. Wish lists enable us to avoid this pandemonium.

4.     Not everyone is excellent at gifting

Many people struggle with gift-giving. A simple list eliminates this barrier. It's even more effective if it's on a shopping site like Amazon, with the Amazon Wish list. This cuts the time used in mulling over decisions.

How to Create a Wish List

 There are several ways organizations can kick off their charity wish lists. Firstly, have it in the middle of the organization strategy. If it is a children's home, ensure all their ideas are included in the internal list.

Then, this list can be put out in public forums, for example, on a webpage, blasted through digital newsletters, and even on third-party platforms such as Amazon Wish Lists. Check if there are overlapping, redundant, or might lead to wastage.

The advantage of third-party wish lists such as Amazon Wish List is that there are thousands upon thousands of items you can order, especially those items that are not easily found in your local stores. Ecommerce is broadening its reach to unreachable markets in previous years, and organizations can take advantage of this fact.

A renowned third-party wish list platform, like Amazon, can bolster confidence for potential donors. Moreover, Amazon enables organizations to add notes. These notes could explain what is important to them, how many items of the product are needed, and how many have been bought already.

Finally, ensure that you have communicated clearly about the wish list to the public. Having an easy-to-find wish list (creating a menu item for it on the homepage or having a button in a newsletter) is half the job to ensure that the givers and your cause align perfectly. 

Amazon Smile Charity

Develop Africa's Charity Lists

You can find Develop Africa's charity lists below:

We have made it very easy for you to send us school supplies. You can do this easily in a few clicks using your Amazon account. The following link takes you to our "wish list" linked to our mailing address.  When you are checking out, our shipping address will automatically be provided by Amazon in the list of available addresses. Add the items to your cart, checkout, and the supplies will be mailed to us directly.  Send school supplies from Amazon to Develop Africa.  

You can send us school supplies - easily in a few clicks using your Walmart account. The following link takes you to our "wish list" linked to our mailing address.  Our shipping address will automatically be provided by Walmart in the list of available addresses - when you are checking out. Add the items to your cart, checkout, and the supplies will be mailed to us directly. One less thing for you to do. Go there now... Send school supplies from Walmart to Develop Africa.