How It Works

Our Methods

Every year, our team curates  projects through our partner organizations that represent the change we want to see in the world, and we then bring the selected causes to you – the donor. These gifts build a partnership between oppressed people in crisis and individuals who want to create real, sustainable change in the world; these gifts protect and preserve the Earth’s endangered environment and help build a global community of development. We have maintained a low overhead, ensuring that 90% of each donated dollar goes directly to the programs, so the maximum amount of impact is made through your gift to people in need.

VIEW OUR CAUSES

With Our Partners

We have worked to maintain excellent relationships with our partner organizations over the years. Our partners often recommend us to other organizations as an excellent way to reach our passionate donors. Every year, new and old organizations alike submit project proposals framed around addressing a critical need in one of our sustainable goal areas. We evaluate their nonprofit and project proposal and fiscal practices to make sure our donors are only giving to trustworthy programs. The most vital projects are selected and featured on our website, catalog, and news streams for one year (starting July 1st until June 30th of the following year). Partners may resubmit the same project or new ones the following year. The short term length lets us bring new projects to our donors while still staying on the forefront of the ever-changing tide of international aid.

With Our Donors

None of this would be possible without our donors. Some love the curated quality of our yearly catalog; some love being able to “gift" unusual and meaningful projects to their nearest and dearest. Either way, your commitment to alternative giving helps change the world one gift at a time. Each year, you choose from our selection of vetted projects that reflect global needs. Your gifts are REAL, tangible gifts. If you give a bike, someone receives one. We retain 10% of funds raised to keep our mission going: to curate the best projects around the world and bring them to you. 

With Our Volunteers

We maintain a small staff at AGI. Our work cannot continue without the sincere, dedicated, volunteers around the country who commit to helping us change the world year after year. Individuals, groups, organizations, and churches volunteer by hosting Alternative Gift Market fundraisers, to raise money for the Causes in our Gifts Inspiring Change catalog. Gift Markets can be large events with hundreds of shoppers, or even a small fundraiser. There are no limits to the creativity that we see from our volunteers to raise funds for Causes they support.

LEARN ABOUT GIFT MARKETS

Who We Are

Have Questions?

Learn more about our mission, how we choose charities, and how alternative giving works.

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