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The Lincoln Foundation began as a heartfelt gesture of one man tryng to help those less fortunate than himself. In 1985, Chicagoan Lowell Myers got the idea of supplying materials to hearing-impaired school children. Deaf from birth, Myers was for many years the nation’s only hearing-impaired attorney. With both a hearing-impaired wife and daughter, Myers understood very well that the special needs of deaf children frequently exceeded available resources. Initially, schools were contacted to see what the children needed. Items such as comic books and baseball cards were identified, and businesses were asked to contribute these gifts. Donors responded positively, and so did the children.
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But it was Myer’s son, Ben, who took his father’s good-will gesture and created The Lincoln Foundation. At first, donations were stored in a basement, and they gradually expanded to include a wide array of items such as office supplies, housewares, building materials and clothing. In 1994, the mission of the organization was expanded to serve all non-profit organizations. According to Ben Myers, "The boys clubs started calling and needed help. We had accumulated a large and diverse inventory by that time, and decided there was a larger pool of people out there who needed what we had." Currently, nearly 60,000 square feet of space houses the large Lincoln Foundation inventory.
And the rest, as they say, is history. |
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T
he Lincoln Foundation provides a wide array of goods at a nominal cost to non-profit organizations. A non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, the Foundation is the only organization of its kind in the Chicago area. With nearly 60,000 square feet of warehouse space filled with merchandise ranging from furniture to fan belts, the Foundation benefits both small and large non-profit groups. Customers can walk in and obtain large quantities of an item, or just a handful.
Thanks to the generous donations of numerous major corporations, the Foundation distributes its wares at a
70-90 percent discount over normal retail prices. Located at 6525 N. Clark in Chicago, the Lincoln Foundation is open for business Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.
How the Foundation Functions
The Lincoln Foundation’s sole purpose is the distribution of donated goods and services to non-profit organizations. The Foundation earns no profit from its business, and much of its work is done by volunteers. Earnings from the distribution of merchandise are used to cover the cost of staff fees, rent, utilities and transportation of the merchandise.
30-Day Return Policy
All merchandise obtained from the Lincoln Foundation can be returned for a full money refund within 30 days, provided the item is in the same condition as when it was acquired.
The Lincoln Foundation Advantage
The Lincoln Foundation makes giving easy. We maintain our own fleet of trucks, which enables us to provide extremely fast service to all donors within a two hour drive from Chicago. From the time you call us with your donation, we guarantee pick-up from your dock within three days. Because our trucks are dedicated to this purpose, you won’t have to deal with unpredictable or delayed pick-ups. It also means you can better plan your schedule and maintain precious dock space.
Tax Incentives for In-Kind Giving
Donations to the Lincoln Foundation are tax deductible as allowed by the Federal Tax Code. In addition, section 170(e)(3) permits manufacturers of products to take a total tax deduction equal to the cost of inventory plus half the difference between cost and fair market value, not to exceed twice the cost. Here’s an example of how this works: If you donate an item to the Lincoln Foundation that costs your company $1 to make and that normally sells for $2, you can deduct a total of up to $1.50 on your company’s tax return.
Be sure to contact your tax adviser for details on how this works for your company.
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Iglesia De Cristo Misioner
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Illinois State Historical Society
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Jewish Family Services
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Joseph Academy
Julia Lathrop Club
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Kid's Kastle
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L.I.F.E. Christian Fellows
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Lee County Easter Seal Commission
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Medical Research Jr. Board Foundation
NCJD Chicago Convention Council
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Ner Tamid Congregation Israel
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Opera San Benedetto
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Pace Institute
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The Children's Place Association
The Civic Federation
The Fox Nation
The Joseph Campbell Foundation
The Meeting Management Society
The Night Ministry
The Tabernacle Food Bank
The Time is Now
Tilden School
Travelers & Immigrants Aid
United Way of Chicago
U. of Illinois Scholarship Foundation
Uptown Habitat for Humanity
Urban Gateways
War Against Racial Division
WCYC Public Radio
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Westside Baptist Ministers' Conference
Westside Planning and Devlpt. Commission
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Women's Self-Employment Program
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