DIK - Donations in Kind
Rotary Donations in Kind is a volunteer-based recycling facility used to collect and redistribute goods, principally donated by companies, hospitals and educational institutions. The goods it distributes are destined for developing countries and to disadvantaged individuals in the local community. They are distributed through Rotary club projects and the wider NGO network.
All staff in the Store are volunteers, both Rotarians and others. They donate their time to help Rotary clubs with their international service and local community projects.
How is the Store funded?
The annual cost of operations is $150,000+, mainly for rent and warehouse overhead. While this expense is a significant sum, it represents just 1.6% of turnover. The majority of support comes from Rotary clubs with a small contribution from other charitable organisations who use the store.
DIK increasingly relies on donor organisations that provide the goods to become partners and to contribute some of the funds that they are saving in disposal costs, (e.g. transport and waste charges,) towards transportation costs.
Rotary Donations in Kind is a registered charity with Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission, (ACNC.) Donations to DIK Inc. are tax deducible.
From where are the goods collected?
DIK West Footscray receive and collect goods in Melbourne and some locations in regional Victoria. There are additional DIK stores in Geelong and most capital cities. DIK relies on Rotary clubs to identify where goods are available for donation in their area and to coordinate collection of suitable material.
DIK provides a volunteer-run limited pick-up service for larger quantities in the Melbourne metropolitan area and will collect goods by prior arrangement. Smaller quantities should be delivered to the Store by the donor or a Rotary Club.
How are the goods distributed?
A significant amount of unallocated goods are available for Rotary club projects. For international projects, Rotary clubs determine the needs, establish the specific country importation requirements and fund the transport and delivery costs. For local projects, goods are distributed by Rotary clubs on an as-needed basis. Surplus goods may also be available for community service organisations who share similar goals.
There are many ways a Rotary club can get involved:
- Locate goods suitable for donation to DIK.
- Inspect potential donations located in your area.
- Arrange and volunteer to load donated goods to be shipped to the Store.
- Establish your club’s own international service project, based on shipping and delivering goods available in the Store.
- Visit the Store.This is the best way to understand the process and see what goods are available.
- Consider arranging a club or cluster meeting, or a working bee for members.
- Invite potential new members to your function at DIK. This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the power of Rotary.
- Involve other Rotary clubs by suggesting potential projects to them or through joint club or cluster projects.
- Become a Sponsor Club or make a financial donation towards a current DIK project.
- Join the team that manages the Store including many roles that can be done from home.
Contact the Store manager on (03) 9315 1544 for more information.
Help to fund the Store
This is your Store and it can only continue to exist with your ongoing help.
Every Rotary club that donates is a Partner in everything that is shipped. Will your Rotary club be a partner this year?