The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund

Press Release
December 8 2009

Gift for Life a winner as corporate Christmas gift

In this tough economic climate TEAR Fund’s Corporate Gift for Life offers a novel way to reward staff and clients without breaking the budget.

Gift for Life items are practical gifts you buy on behalf of a loved one or friend which benefit the poor overseas, such as livestock. Your friend or loved one receives a card with your personal message telling them what you have bought on their behalf, and you receive a tax receipt to claim a third of the amount back

The tax rebate laws introduced last year meant that corporates and businesses could now claim back a third of what they spent on Gift for Life making Gift for Life and attractive and socially responsible option, said TEAR Fund executive director Stephen Tollestrup.

“It is tempting for corporates to tighten up on spending in tough economic times but in these days of social responsibility and philanthropy, they can enhance their image, while still reaping a financial reward,” said Mr Tollestrup.

“For instance, some firms may be tossing up whether to give Christmas gifts this year. This has the potential to damage both their public image and their image as a good employer. So instead of giving the usual gifts of wine and chocolates, they could buy TEAR Fund Gift for Life items which will boost their image as being socially concerned, and they will get a significant tax rebate as well.”

Research carried out by Nielsen Media Research suggested that a significant number of people made employment and buying decisions based on a business' commitment to corporate social responsibility, said Mr Tollestrup.

Among the new Gift for Life items this year are a buffalo (No Bull), anti-trafficking (Traffick Stopper) and a solar powered lighting system (Safety Light) to protect vulnerable women in Sri Lanka.

Visit www.giftforlife.co.nz and click on corporate gifts. You will find instructions on the site and you can even play TEAR Fund’s interactive Transform a Village game where you milk a cow of gather chicken eggs.

ENDS

© Scoop Media