Good Sports, a non-profit group that helps to lay the foundation for healthy, active lifestyles has partnered with The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) to provide sporting goods equipment, athletic footwear, and sports apparel to disadvantaged youth nationwide.
Good Sports, a solution provider for many sporting goods companies looking to donate inventory for operational, marketing or charitable reasons, will be connected with SGMA’s member companies as a part of this partnership. Interested companies will have the ability to directly reach Good Sports through the SGMA website www.sgma.com/gsdonations
“Having access to a turn-key outlet for donating excess product is another perk of being a member of SGMA,” said SGMA President/CEO Tom Cove. “When SGMA member companies donate product to Good Sports, our members will know that the product will be distributed to people around the country who will truly appreciate the donation.”
“Good Sports is excited to announce this partnership with SGMA.” said Christy Keswick, Chief Operating Officer of Good Sports. “We believe our ability to provide a service to SGMA members and our aligned strategies of promoting sports and fitness participation make for a natural partnership opportunity.”
“The primary goal of our partnership with Goods Sports-through which we’ll donate equipment from our Easton, Bell, Riddell, Giro and Blackburn brands-is to help kids in need participate in sports and fitness activities. Helping Good Sports reach more youth athletes and decrease costs to their families is reason enough to team up with them,” said Donna Flood, Chief Operations Officer of Easton-Bell Sports and a member of the Good Sports Advisory Council. “When you consider the added benefits offered by a cause marketing relationship and the opportunity for our employees to participate in donation events first-hand, it’s a win-win for both organizations.”
“With our national reach and operational capabilities, we streamline donations for our sporting goods donors helping to limit internal resources while maximizing the community impact,” says Keswick.
“Aligning with Good Sports is a win-win on so many levels. First, donating some of our excess inventory makes sense because we believe in doing the right thing and helping underserved communities and children. At the same time it is a great business solution because we are able to donate good quality yet unused inventory,” said Brian Anderson, President of EB Sport Group and SGMA Board Member. “We have seen firsthand through a follow-up impact report we received that this is a great tool for us to share with our customers, suppliers, employees, and our board of directors — to show them what we are in doing in the community. Working with Good Sports allowed us to move excess inventory, receive a tax deduction for the donation, and, most importantly, make a tangible contribution to the community. All stake holders benefitted.”
