Cause marketing enables socially responsible companies and industry associations to promote their products and services while raising money and awareness for non-profit organizations and causes. The use of cause marketing has grown dramatically since 1983, when the term was first coined by American Express. U.S. sponsorship spending on cause marketing will reach $1.5 billion in 2008, according to IEG Sponsorship Report, Chicago.
What K.I.D.S. Offers Companies
Unique, ownable partnerships as part of our effort to assist families and children in need.
Opportunities throughout the year to support children affected by poverty by providing them with basic necessities.
Programs to improve the quality of life in specific local communities where company plants, offices, stores or franchises are located.
Opportunities for employee participation as volunteers in product distributions by our affiliated local agencies.
Ways to attract and engage customers by offering to make donations to K.I.D.S. based on sales volume and/or encouraging customers to make donations at the time or point of purchase.
Cause Marketing Programs
On Sunday, March 30, 2008, the restaurant chain’s 105 locations in 15 states provided free kid’s breakfast meals to all children 12 and under who brought new clothing items for donation to K.I.D.S. The merchandise was distributed to nearby charitable agencies serving children and families in need.
K.I.D.S. has been chosen one of the notable causes to benefit from sales of Crusader jeans, part of the fall 08 collection from high-end denim manufacturer Kasil Jeans (www.kasiljean.com). Our cause will be profiled on their website and identified in point-of-purchase displays and on garment hangtags. Kasil Jeans are worn by such celebrities as Brad Pitt, Ashton Kutcher and Jennifer Anniston.
Thanks to our friends at Kids Headquarters and Conde Nast, K.I.D.S. was the charitable beneficiary of Click for a Cause, a promotional insert in the December/January issue of Cookie, a lifestyle magazine for the modern mother. At www.coolcookie.com, readers entered a contest to win a $1,000 spring wardrobe from Hurley, Kenneth Cole, Deron or Timberland. Online contest entries resulted in a $5,000 contribution from Cookie and a donation of childrens clothing from Kids Headquarters.
In 2007, K.I.D.S. was featured in Garnet Hill's fall back-to-school catalog and on the website www.garnethill.com. As a result of sales of the companys Trek Watches, we were the beneficiary of down vests and lined cargo pants for boys and girls with a total retail value of $50,000.
Since 2003, Robeez, which makes and sells footwear for toddlers, has supported K.I.D.S. through its Heart & Sole program celebrating the unconditional love of children around the world.
The company has donated over $3 million dollars worth of shoes to K.I.D.S. in the past two years.
Other companies that are sponsoring or have sponsored cause marketing programs for K.I.D.S. include: Scholastic, Toys"R"Us, Babies"R"Us, Kohl's, Gymboree, Lands' End, Sears, The Alexander Doll Company and Maggy Moo's Ice Cream and Treatery.
Kids In Distressed Situations, Inc. | 112 West 34th Street, Suite 1133 | New York, NY 10120 | 212.279.5493
K.I.D.S. is tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.
