FAQ
FAQs
You've got questions? We've got answers!
Collecting Shoes
Funds2Orgs accepts all gently worn, used and new shoes, sneakers, and even cleats. However, there are some restrictions, which are as follows:
- Single Shoes or mismatched pairs of shoes
- Ice Skates
- Rollerblades / Roller Skates
- Wet / moldy shoes
- Shoes with holes or tears
- No thrift store shoes are accepted.
If you have further questions on type or quality, please reach out to the fundraising coaching team at 407-930-2979.
The shoes given to your shoe drive fundraiser should be gently worn, used and new. Of course, we always love to repurpose shoes that are in the best possible condition. And, we love new shoes best of all!
We do not accept single shoes, only matching pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes and sneakers.
Funds2Orgs accepts gently worn, used and new shoes and sneakers. The mixed types of shoes are essential for our micro-enterprise partners in developing nations. However, if you happen to belong to a sports-related organization and have many people with athletic shoes and sneakers, then take a look at our other brand, Sneakers4good.com, or call our team at 407-930-2979.
Unfortunately, shoes from thrift stores and resale stores are not accepted. It’s our experience that these types of organizations offer only the worst shoes in their inventory. If it’s not something that you or your family would wear, then our micro-enterprise partners can’t sell the shoes in their communities. Just like you, people worldwide want to purchase high-quality gently worn, used and new shoes and sneakers. We have a strict policy on the shoe quality, and if the footwear is not gently worn, used and new quality shoes, which could get sold abroad, they will not be accepted by Funds2Orgs. If you have any questions on the quality of shoes you need to collect, please call the fundraising team at 407-930-2979.
You will need a space roughly 10’ by 10’ by 10’. Some groups get a self-storage business to donate the space. A double car garage or a warehouse also provides sufficient space.
The pairs of gently worn, used, and new shoes must be placed in the 33-gallon clear bags that Funds2Orgs provides in the Starter Kit at no charge. Black bags, or any other color, are not acceptable for pick-up.
The same hygiene for handling shoes collected in a shoe drive fundraiser applies as you would do with shoes you and your family wear. Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching shoes that have been used or worn outside. If you wish, while bagging, wear disposable gloves and, as always, wash your hands.
Impact
The shoes collected after your shoe drive fundraiser become an economic lifeline for individuals and families living in developing nations. Due to systemic poverty, lack of education, and economic opportunity, Funds2Orgs works with individuals who create micro-businesses, essentially small businesses.
Unfortunately, no. Shoes you collected get combined with other shoes from other shoe drive fundraisers. The shoes collected from shoe drive fundraisers throughout North America get consolidated together and sent overseas.
Please take a look at our impact page when you collect gently worn, used and new shoes.
Fundraising
We have different options, so it’s always best to contact a fundraising coach at 407-930-2979. However, in general, we have had partners that have made $1,000 to $5,000, or more. Some groups have earned up to $42,000 in 60 days! Once you’re ready to start, your fundraising coach will work with you to determine the best type of shoe drive fundraiser for you.
There are four key benefits: 1) You engage supporters to raise funds without ever having to ask them for money. 2) Shoes are repurposed in a socially responsible fundraiser. 3) Shoes collected become inventory and an economic lifeline for micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries who sell the shoes in their small businesses for a living wage. 4) Our shoe drive fundraising company also provides jobs for people living in the United States.
Once you sign up, your fundraising coach will send you a Funds2Orgs Starter Kit. This kit includes rubber bands and 33-gallon clear bags. You will also receive access to our drive guidelines and marketing material templates, which you can customize and print for your organization and fundraiser. Some of the items are as follows:
- Social Media
- Flyer Templates
- Door Hanger Templates
- Press Release Template
- Other tools to assist in your shoe drive fundraiser
During your shoe drive fundraiser, your coaching team will be providing ongoing support for the planning and execution of the campaign to ensure your success. We want your group to succeed!
No, you don’t need to purchase a Starter Kit. However, if you need more materials because you’re collecting so many shoes, speak with your fundraising team by calling 407-930-2979.
The shoes must be rubber-banded together or the laces tied to prevent the pairs from separating. The pairs should be placed in the 33-gallon clear bags that Funds2Orgs provides in the Starter Kit. Each bag needs to include 25 pairs of gently worn, used, and new shoes. Tie a knot at the top of each bag to ensure that all shoes remain within their respective bag during transport. Starter kits come with bags and rubber bands prior to your start date.
Shoes must remain paired together: the same size, style, and laces tied or the pair rubber-banded together.
Once you fill 35 bags with 25 pairs of gently worn, used, and new shoes per bag, please contact your fundraising coach for more bags and rubber bands.
Once your shoes are received at our warehouse, they will be weighed, and a check and a receipt will be issued at that time.
That’s great! More shoes = More money for your organization.
Getting started is easy. Fill out the form here, and one of our fundraising coaches will be in contact with you soon.
We pay by the pound and issue checks within in two days of receipt. We have several programs, so the best thing you can do is contact a fundraising coach at 407-930-2979 to make sure we understand your goals and provide you with the best plan to earn the most money.
Funds2Orgs is a for-profit social enterprise, so we do not give out tax receipts for deductions. However, if you are an IRS qualified nonprofit, you can perhaps provide your donors with an in-kind acknowledgment letter. For that kind of advice, ask your tax attorney or accounting firm.
About
Instead of asking your donors to write you a check or pull out their credit card, a shoe drive fundraiser engages your supporters in a fun and easy way. During a shoe drive fundraiser, you ask your community to collect gently worn, used and new shoes and sneakers of all styles and sizes. When Funds2Orgs receives and processes the shoes collected from your shoe drive fundraiser, you will receive a check!
Funds2Orgs is a social enterprise that partners with nonprofits, schools, churches, civic groups, businesses, and others to help them plan and implement shoe drive fundraising campaigns.
Yes, we’re rated by the Better Business Bureau, and you could check out what others have to say about us on their site.
The Funds2Orgs Group is the parent company of our four shoe drive fundraising brands, each targeted toward a particular market: Funds2Orgs, Sneakers4Funds, Shoes With Heart, and Cash4Shooz.
Micro-entrepreneurs are small business owners. Micro-enterprises are small businesses that are started with, typically, low investment capital. These micro-enterprises are run by one person or a few family members or friends. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries to provide them with inventory to sell to make a living wage for themselves and their families. Please refer to our Impact page!
Repurposing shoes means to give a new purpose and an extended life to the shoes. Micro-entrepreneurs clean the shoes given in shoe drive fundraisers in North America. After, they sell the shoes in developing countries worldwide. In other words, the shoes get a new lease on life in developing nations as inventory for micro-enterprises who sell the footwear in their communities.
Nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, PTO and PTA groups, businesses, companies, and civic groups can participate. We work with all types of groups and organizations, and we’ve also had individuals and families partner with us for shoe drive fundraisers.
No. We can partner with you for your shoe drive fundraiser. However, you will have to complete a W-9, and you will receive a 1099 from Funds2Orgs at the end of the year for the funding you earn for tax purposes.
No. Funds2Orgs will provide all the shoe drive fundraising materials, including 33-gallon clear bags, rubber bands, marketing material templates, and coaching for the duration of your shoe drive fundraiser. However, if you choose to print from our marketing templates, you will be responsible for those costs.
CSR
For more information regarding wholesale/ manufacturer sales, please click here or call our main office to speak with our Chief Fundraising Strategist, Tom Henderson.
Logistics
At Funds2Orgs, we take care of the logistics for you, so you don’t have to worry! A member of our logistics team will coordinate with you to have one of our trucks pick-up the shoes you collect at the end of your shoe drive fundraiser or if they happen to be in the area. If you have any questions about the pick-up of your shoes and scheduling, please call the logistics team at 407-930-2979.
At pick-up, your bags will be marked with numbered stickers (the driver has these) so that your shoes will be identified by batch number. Therefore, you can have an accurate count of bags loaded onto the truck.
During your shoe drive fundraiser, your fundraising coach and the Funds2Orgs logistics team will be in contact with you. We cannot guarantee any pickups during your fundraiser other than a final pickup within 1 to 45 days of the end of your campaign. Please make sure you have a storage space large enough to hold all your bags for the entire duration of your shoe drive fundraiser and until pickup. However, we may arrange for periodic pickups when our team is in your area.
Each week, you will communicate with your fundraising coach, and they will update our logistics team with your progress. That information helps the logistics team plan routes throughout the United States. The logistics team will contact the partners in the area and schedule pick-ups for those locations.
Our logistics team will reach out to you to schedule the pick-up when they have a truck in your area or within 1 to 45 days after the end of your shoe drive fundraiser.
During your shoe drive fundraiser, our logistics team will work with you to coordinate a pickup of the bags of shoes collected by your organization. When there is a pickup, please have two to three volunteers on hand per 50 bags to ensure timely loading. Please remember our drivers cannot control traffic or inclement weather, so please give our driver 30 minutes before the appointed arrival time and 30 minutes after to allow our driver sufficient time for loading. Our driver will be in touch with you to confirm the arrival time.
