Idaho Gives Best Practices: Hands of Hope

​Hands of Hope is a nonprofit dedicated to the redistribution of donated medical equipment and supplies to individuals and partnering organizations, domestically and internationally. Hands of Hope has been participating in Idaho Gives since its inception.

“People come year after year and look forward to the day. Making it an annual event causes people to expect the request for donations and plan for it,” says Executive Director, Debbie Wheeler.
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“We had a BBQ at our facility to attract people and then gave them tours. There was no cost for the lunch, but donations were accepted. It was well attended and we reached our goal to send a shipment of supplies to Moldova.”

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Hands of Hope volunteers, staff, and board members came together for the purpose of the event. “Volunteers gave tours and helped prepare lunch. Several board members provided food and helped with publicity through Facebook posts. Several attended the BBQ and acted as hosts.”

Wheeler and her team advertise for Idaho Gives through social media, TV, radio, posters, and outreach programs months prior to the event, even informing donors in their annual thank you letters.

Wheeler offers this advice for first time participants: “People don’t want to give to overhead costs, as much as we all need that. Donations should fund a project that people will be interested in. You have to have a good project that people feel is important.”  

“A few years ago Idaho Gives helped us raise $9,000 for an industrial washing machine to sterilize bath chairs, wheelchairs, and other medical equipment we loan out to those that can't afford them. We have over 1,000 pieces we loan out and had to wash them by hand before our Idaho Gives Day campaign. After we bought the machine, it freed up staff and volunteer time, allowing them to focus on helping more people, here and around the world.”

​Wheeler also adds, “You may not be as successful as you wanted the first time, but do it again the following year, and you will probably be much more successful as your donor base begins to expect it. Idaho Gives Day gives us a reason to come together for a great cause!”