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National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources (NAEIR)

Scott County is a member of NAEIR (National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources) for quite a number of years. Here's a description of how NAEIR works (originally published in the American City & County Magazine in the February 2002 edition):

"NAEIR serves as a sort of good fairy go-between for corporations looking to unload excess inventory and non-profits, like schools, charities and local governments, looking for all kinds of stuff. Every 10 weeks, NAEIR publishes a 250-page catalog. There are various membership costs depending on the number of catalogs an agency wishes to receive during the year - Scott County receives 5 catalogs - that covers NAEIR's overhead."

Members go through the catalog and pick out what they want (For Scott County, these catalogs are routed to county departments along with a request sheet, and these request sheets are then turned in to the purchasing division by a predetermined deadline. Purchasing then submits this consolidated county request to NAEIR).

The computerized allocation system decides what members get.

Facility & Support Services pays for the annual membership and shipping/handling charges so there is no cost to the requesting county departments - the item that they ask for and receive are at no cost to them.

Donor corporations get an income tax deduction that can equal as much as half the cost of the products donated, plus half the difference between cost and fair market value.

According to NAEIR, members receive an average of $2,500 worth of merchandise from every catalog. NAEIR wants to make it clear that according to IRS regulations, items received from NAEIR may not be sold at fund raisers, auctions, bazaars, raffles, flea markets or in any other manner. However, those items may be given to needy clients of the nonprofit organization and may also be used in the everyday administration or operations of the member nonprofit organization.