Alternate ROOTS is operated by the people-power of our membership. We recognize and want to honor all of the time, energy, pro bono professional services, and resources that members, friends, and communities give to the organization. We want to make sure to reflect back all the resources that are shared with the organization. One way to honor the wealth and power in our communities is to name the time, skills, and resources ROOTS members contribute to our shared work.

In-kind work can help boost ROOTS fundraising with foundations, major donors, and grassroots donations. In turn, we can hopefully in the future, generate funds to support this volunteer labor by our community members.

Recognize the Value of Noncash Contributions
An in‐kind contribution is a non‐cash gift which can be given a cash value. Examples include volunteer time, people’s travel expenses to meetings, donated items or materials, and use of meeting space.

Why track in‐kind donations?

• We recognize and want to honor all of the time, energy and resources that members, friends and communities give to the organization. We want to make sure to reflect back all the resources that is shared with the organization.
  
• Additionally, funders often want to know whether ROOTS and our projects are supported by the community. In‐kind tracking demonstrates this, and also provides documentation of a match to the funder’s monetary support.  
  
• Tracking who’s giving you time and goods allows ROOTS to acknowledge everyone for all of their different contributions. We want to value in-kind donations in the same way that we value monetary donations.
  
• It is important to know the value of in‐kind contributions so you can include them in your budget planning. If the use of a meeting facility, for example, was no longer available, you might have to pay for it.  
  
• In‐kind donations are part of building relationships and building organizational sustainability.