Donations in Kind: Shed 39, 400 Somerville Road West Footscray, VIC, Australia 3012

The unsung hero of the circular economy and volunteerism is located in an old wool store in West Footscray.

Donations in Kind grew out of a desire to reduce waste and help less fortunate communities overseas.

In the last 20 years, DIK has shipped 604 containers of equipment and supplies containing goods worth over $58 million to 32 countries, with a strong emphasis on items that improve education, medical and maternal care.

We also support disadvantaged area of the Australian community.

The countries DIK support and areas of activity are influenced by the passion of the Rotary clubs who raised the funds for shipping.

We are also guided by Rotary International research that has identified the areas of greatest need where Rotarians can be most effective: the 6 Areas of Focus.

Rotary is established in 214 countries, so it is easy to identify areas of need, but sadly it is impossible or impractical to ship goods to some countries. unless we are confident all of the goods shipped will reach the people who need them, we will not make shipments. Every country has different import regulation and we only know what is required in countries we have shipped to.

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.

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.

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 deductible. Donate, volunteer, source good for projects, give back, contribute to a project.

|Contact: Laurie Fisher 0428 550 574 or dik.vic.rotary@gmail.com