My Thrift Shop Road Trip

Researching US Corporate Social

Responsibility Partnerships in the Charity

Retail Sector

Rachel Bright Winston Churchill Memorial Trust

Fellowship Report July – August 2013

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

1 | P a g e

Contents Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.....................................................2 What is Corporate Social Responsibility............................................3 Introduction.......................................................................................4 Aims....................................................................................................5 Project Locations and map..................................................................6 PROJECT 1: Housing Works, New York................................................7 PROJECT 2: Impact Thrift, Philadelphia.............................................13 PROJECT 3: Arc Thrift, Colorado.........................................................16 PROJECT 4: Goodwill, San Francisco..................................................21 Conclusion.........................................................................................23 Dissemination....................................................................................24 Acknowledgements............................................................................25 Appendix............................................................................................26

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

2 | P a g e

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust[1] was established when Sir Winston Churchill died in 1965. Thousands of people, out of respect and in gratitude for his inspired leadership, gave generously so that a living memorial to the great man could benefit future generations of British people. This fund now supports 100 Travelling Fellowships and ten Bursaries at Churchill College Cambridge, each year based on the Trust’s charitable Object of:

“The advancement and propagation of education in any part of the world for the benefit of British citizens of all walks of life in such exclusively charitable manner that such education will make its recipients more effective in their life and work, whilst benefiting themselves and their communities, and ultimately the UK as a whole”.

The trust awards travelling fellowships to British citizens from all walks of life to travel overseas, and to bring back knowledge and best practice for the benefit of others in their UK professions and communities. Successful candidates can travel overseas for between four and eight weeks.

It is a huge personal honour to have been granted a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship for 2013 in the ‘Business in Society’ category, and to have been given this opportunity of a lifetime.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

3 | P a g e

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

Although different organisations have framed different definitions, there is

considerable common ground between them. The World Business Council for

Sustainable Development in its publication Making Good Business Sense used

the following definition;

‘Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to

behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the

quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local

community and society at large’.[2]

Outside stakeholders are taking an increasing interest in the activity of their

companies. Most look to the outer circle - what their company has actually

done (good or bad), in terms of its products and services, in terms of its impact

on the environment and on local communities, or in how it treats and develops

its workforce. Out of the various stakeholders, it is financial analysts who

predominantly focus (in addition to past financial performance) on quality of

management as an indicator of likely future performance.

The European Commission hedges its bets with two definitions wrapped into

one;

‘A concept whereby companies decide voluntarily to contribute to a better

society and a cleaner environment. A concept whereby companies integrate

social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their

interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis’.[3]

When you review each of these, they broadly agree that the definition now

focuses on the impact of how the core business is managed. Some go further

than others in prescribing how far companies should go beyond managing their

own impact, into the terrain of acting specifically outside of that focus in order

to make a contribution to the achievement of broader societal goals.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

4 | P a g e

Introduction

For the past 5 years I have worked for ‘Mercy in Action’[4], a UK registered charity working with street children and destitute families in the Philippines. My current role as Head of Retail sees me overseeing 13 stores, a central warehousing operations and a retail office team.

My fellowship officially began on the 10th July this year. However, it actually started well before that at the 2012 Annual Charity Retail Association Conference. This is when I heard Marks & Spencer's Mike Barry speak about their 'Plan A' corporate social responsibility strategy, which incorporates the ground breaking and high profile Oxfam 'Shwopping' initiative[5]. This challenged me to think further about whether Mercy in Action could benefit from a corporate partnership like this. When the WCMT announced their grant categories in 2012, and the 'Business in Society' category included a focus on CSR projects, it felt like a sign that it was my time to apply. My planned trip would involve visiting non-profit thrift organisations which were involved in CSR projects across North America, and also visit as many independent and chain thrift stores as along the way as I could, in order to help pick up ideas and inspiration. In mid February I received the amazing news that my application had been successful, and I was one of 125 people to be chosen from 1161 applicants as a 2013 Fellow. I hope this report will not only bring my fellowship to life, but will also help disseminate my gained knowledge and understanding of some of the amazing thrift innovations happening in the US thrift sector. This in turn will hopefully inspire development of your own enterprise, particularly in the charity retail sector.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

5 | P a g e

Fellowship Aims The aims of my project were: 1. To visit a number of small to medium sized charities, similar in size to Mercy in Action, and organisations with well developed CSR projects. 2. To explore a range of creative initiatives that exist between corporates and their charity retail partners. 3. To gain a hands-on understanding of how these partnerships are organised and coordinated by the charities themselves. 4. To understand how these relationships began, and continue to be fostered by both the corporates and charities involved. 5. To establish long term relationships with charities in USA, to allow opportunity to receive ongoing advice, and share information on new innovations in this sector.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

6 | P a g e

Project Locations

The map below shows the locations of the four projects which after months of

research and negotiation, I deemed the most interesting:

1. Housing Works, New York, NY

2. Impact Thrift, Philadelphia, PA

3. Arc Thrift, Denver, CO

4. Goodwill, San Francisco, CA

The trip would take me 5,000

miles across North America, from

the east coast to the west coast by

car, flying into New York and out

of San Francisco.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

7 | P a g e

My trip involved some very long drives through stunning landscapes, including this one in Utah as we passed

through Arches National Park.

PROJECT 1: Housing Works, New York NY

Housing Works is described as ‘a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Their mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts.’

From their website; “Housing Works Three Pillars: Advocacy Through our advocacy offices in New York City, Albany, Washington D.C., Mississippi and abroad in Haiti and Puerto Rico, Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention information and other life-sustaining services, as well as legal protections from stigma and discrimination. Housing Works is a grassroots organization committed to the use of non-violent civil disobedience in order to further our mission to end AIDS and homelessness. Services Since 1990, we have provided a comprehensive array of services to more than 20,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. We believe that providing stable housing is healthcare and is the first step toward living a long and healthy life. Supportive services include but are not limited to housing, healthcare, meals and nutritional counseling, mental health and substance use treatment, job training, and legal assistance. Entrepreneurial Businesses Housing Works pioneered the concept of social enterprise–businesses whose profits fund the mission of a parent not-for-profit organisation. This self-sustaining model provides employment opportunities to the community in addition to fundraising. The 12 acclaimed Housing Works Thrift Shops, Housing Works Bookstore Cafe and The Works Catering account for approximately 25% of our $43 million annual operating budget. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit several of the Housing Works Thrift Stores and the

Bookstore Cafe during my stay in New York.” [6]

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

8 | P a g e

Pictured below are some ideas of the branding and interiors of these high end, boutique-type stores. They were a pleasure to visit, and gave me lots of ideas for how charity retail in the UK could continue to be developed visually.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

9 | P a g e

Housing Works CSR Partnerships Whilst in New York City (during the first leg of my fellowship), I had the pleasure of meeting with David Raper, Vice President at Housing works. We discussed some of the innovative CSR partnerships my online research had flagged up, and which generate an important part of their $13m annual retail turnover. Fashion for Action, an annual fundraiser is running for the 10th consecutive year in November 2013[7]. The event brings together 250 designer brands who each donate fashion, accessories and beauty items. This year’s event included Oscar-nominated actress Patricia Clarkson as co-chair. The New York-based actress has a long history with Housing Works, first as a shopper and now a celebrity using her influence to advocate for an AIDS free generation. The VIP party then makes way for the doors to open to the general public who can shop to their hearts content and purchase some amazing designer stock at greatly reduced prices. Items from this year’s event raised over $1m.

The event is supported by hundreds of brands, including Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, MaxMara, Donna Karan, Yumi Kim, Gucci, Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Coach, GANT and Hugo Boss. Each donate items to this high profile New York event.

Some of the donated designer items that went on sale this year

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

10 | P a g e

Design on a Dime is Housing Works second annual fundraiser[8]. Each year volunteer Designers create a room vignette using new and donated merchandise from high-end brands, manufacturers and dealers. Once the rooms have been designed, the items are sold off to the public for 50-70% off retail price. The 2013 event featured 62 of the world’s top interior designers and raised a staggering and record breaking $1.1m! In its 9th year, the 3-day interiors sale and reception was attended by over 3,000 people who shopped through 62 rooms designed with floor to ceiling product for sale at deep discounts.

The fundraiser’s Opening Night Reception was co-chaired by five of the US interior industry’s leading females, including: Yetta Banks (Viacom), Genevieve Gorder (HGTV’s “Design Star), Evette Ríos (ABC’s “The Chew”), Sabrina Soto (HGTV’s “High Low Project”) and Lara Spencer (“Good Morning America”).

Proceeds from the 2013 multi-day event and sale funded two housing development projects serving clients in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Design on a Dime also plan to fund the furnishing 12 apartments in Housing Works’ much anticipated Jefferson Avenue Residence. Additional funds will help turn a vacant 6,000 sq ft. lot, into a beautiful and safe home for 27 single, formerly homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

11 | P a g e

Buy the Bag Initiative Although the ‘Buy the Bag’ store is not directly a CSR project, it is a very innovative retail concept, and my trip included a visit to the newly opened store in a warehouse building in Brooklyn.

Here customers pay $25 (approx £17) for a large paper bag to fill up with contemporary, designer and vintage apparel (some in need of a little TLC, but all is stock which hasn’t yet been sent to a thrift store for sale, so incredible treasures can be found). There is no limit on the number of bags that can be purchased per customer.

The high ceilings and simple white walls give a cool setting for large metal pens filled with piles of unsorted textiles and shoes.

Store manager Alan explained the store concept and shopper demographic to me. Like the UK market, US thrift retailers sell thousands of tons of textiles to the trade each year for recycling (although US rates are on average 50% less per kg than the UK). The Buy the Bag store concept gives shoppers the chance

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

12 | P a g e

to purchase stock which may not be suitable for Housing Works boutique stores, but is too good to be destroyed.

Many shoppers are locals, shopping for their own families (it's predominantly a low income neighbourhood), but they also include re-sellers and ethically aware young professionals and students - the latter is the customer base they are keenest to build upon.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

13 | P a g e

PROJECT 2: Impact! Thrift, Philadelphia PA

Impact! Thrift Stores is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to

financially support local charities through the net proceeds generated by their

thrift store operations. Impact!’s financial support of these local charities

enables their staff to spend more time doing what they do best—feeding the

hungry, housing the homeless, and supporting children and families in need.

Impact’s profits are split between 18 charities, working both within the US and

abroad. Around 70% of these are faith based groups.

During the second leg of my trip I had the pleasure of spending the

day with Impact!’s Director of Business Development, Jo Greenawalt. Her

warm and hospitable welcome meant my day with Impact! was filled with

incredibly invaluable information for my fellowship. It was clear throughout

the day that both Jo and CEO Paul Baur, who I also spent time with, shared a

deep passion for the charities they support, which helps to drive Impact!

forward. This was particularly inspiring.

Impact! - the Stores

Pictured above is a panoramic image of the 50,000 square ft Feasterville store

The Impact! Thrift stores are SUPERSIZE in

every way, ranging in size from 18,000 sq

feet to a staggering and frankly

overwhelming 50,000 square feet of sales

space. With the average Mercy in Action

store at around 2,000 square feet it was a

supersize experience!

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

14 | P a g e

Impact! CSR and Community Partnerships During my research back at the beginning of the year, Impact! Thrift stood out due to the scores of corporate partners listed on their website. My conclusion was that if they had so many corporate partners, then they must have some great initiatives to engage them. Thankfully I was right. While I was with Impact!, I learnt about a number of very effective CSR partnerships they have established, including:

1. Company/Community Collection Drives: Impact! Thrift send a truck to a company's office, to pick up donations from employees.

2. Company donations (small): Companies can donate new merchandise, eg. excess stock, damaged items, customer returns, etc.

3. Company donations (large): Larger scale donations, eg. Gently-used office furniture, unneeded when companies replace desks, chairs, lamps, bookcases, etc. Again van collection is offered to make this as easy as possible for the donating company.

Companies getting involved with a donation drive are given a document which outlines things like desired donations, what can and cannot be accepted and offers practical help and information about organising the event. This ensures that Impact! communicates their professionalism and that expectations are clear on both sides. On top of their CSR partnerships, Impact! have a very tangible desire to be actively involved in the local community, and have invested themselves in this with gusto over the last few years. First and foremost are their community partnerships and programs which benefit the local community, but this in turn raises awareness of Impact! stores, which in turn generates donations and volunteer hours. Some of these partnerships include:

1. Helping Hands Program: Impact! offer practical 'gifts in kind' to local families/groups in the local area who are in need (these are referred through social service agencies, churches and emergency response teams (fire & police) in the area).

2. Community Service opportunities: A mandatory volunteer program that sends teens & adults who have been in minor trouble and 'pay' restitution by assigned volunteer hours (from 10 hours to 1,000). Also Academic Community Service, a program to give students experience of the workplace is offered through Impact!.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

15 | P a g e

3. Impact! LIVE: A student leadership and community service program which encourages students to develop their very own Impact! thrift donation drive or event, writing a business plan and organising their own marketing and operations. This program ticks boxes for the curriculum meaning it can form part of a student’s education. By the sounds of it, the teachers love it as much as the students! Again a handy and professional manual outlines the roles, expectations and demands of the event, guiding students whilst still leaving space for them to use their creative ideas to make the event their own.

4. Store based Community Events: such as weekly pensioners’ Bingo with a thrift twist (all the 'numbers' are instead familiar Impact! words eg. Re-use, Affordable, Collection drive etc).

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

16 | P a g e

PROJECT 3: Arc Thrift, Denver CO Following a week of very long drives (nearly 2000 miles in total from Philadelphia), I arrived in Denver for my third project at Arc Thrift. Kathy McAdoo (Arc’s director of community events and vehicle donations) kindly spent the day giving me a fantastic tour of their operations, answering my many questions and sharing all about the Arc thrift CSR partnerships. Kathy's openness (along with that of the managers and staff I met throughout the day) meant that I have had a wealth of information to mull over for my research. About Arc Thrift With 22 stores across the state of Colorado, 1200 members of staff, 108,000 sq ft of warehousing, 8 drive-thru donation stations and scores of community and corporate partnerships, Arc is understandably a high profile thrift network in the area. The brand image is strong, professional and very fun - see their little bird character ‘Arcky’ (pictured in reception below).

From their website;

'The mission of the Arc Thrift Stores is to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by providing funding to support the Arc and ACL chapters in Colorado. We believe that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities should have the opportunity to decide how they live, learn, work, and play'.[9]

However their involvement goes much wider than passing on funds to the various Arc chapters. Employment and training opportunities and ambassador roles are offered to many individuals who are seen as a key part of the day to day operations of the business. These people also make up over 10% of Arc’s workforce.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

17 | P a g e

Arc Thrift Stores

Arc process stock at store level, where it is sorted, cleaned, priced and

displayed for sale. The stores are generally large (10,000 sq ft and up - think

big, out of town units), so again the biggest challenge for the staff is stock

levels. A minimum of 5000 items are put out for sale in just the above store

alone, per day! Stock levels were good throughout the stores that I visited.

Arc need therefore to be extremely focused on generating the high volume

donations required for the successful running of their 22 stores. Through

weekly donations taskforce meetings, a clear and multi-faceted plan is

followed which keeps donations at a high level. Arc donation drive

initiatives, although not necessarily new to the sector in the USA, are executed

with military precision and seeing them up close has led me to consider

whether they are something that could be transferred to the UK.

A tour of a couple of the Arc Thrift stores revealed a highly organised and passionate team, running a professional operation. Of course the stores were super sized, and like Impact had large teams running them.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

18 | P a g e

Donation Stations (Drive-thru with a difference) Arc operate 8 donation stations across the state. The one I visited in Denver is one of the most successful, having generated over one million lbs of donations last year alone. It is staffed with one full time member of staff (Monday to Friday), and is covered part-time over the weekend meaning overheads are kept low.

The site is a disused petrol station, and staff welcome donors at their car windows and build up great rapport with repeat donors. They collect donations direct from the boots of donor cars directly meaning minimal effort is needed on the part of the donor. The donations are loaded onto pallets, wrapped, labelled, and sent daily to be processed at store level. House to House Donation Collections

Arc operate a fleet of 55 vans, which collect at around 7,500 Colorado homes every week. To book these collections, a team of 50 call centre operatives are employed to contact individuals (using a mailing list). They let each interested potential donor know there is a donation drive taking place in their area, and whenever possible schedule in a collection. Around 50,000 separate donation collections are generated in this way each and every month.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

19 | P a g e

The Sky Sox Baseball Partnership Arc are one of the official sponsors for the Sky Sox baseball team[10], based in Colorado Springs. The Sky Sox is the only triple A affiliate to major league baseball in the Colorado Rockies which translates to a high profile in the local area, and a large fan base.

Arc pay for the privilege to be an official sponsor of the Sky Sox, a deal which runs for one 5 month season, so this is obviously a corporate partnership with a difference. Jon Eddy, Director of Marketing and Promotions at Sky Sox, was first approached by Kathy during a cold call with a request for an auction lot, and their relationship has developed over the years. This demonstrates once again the time and effort required to develop corporate contacts which may in the future develop into long term CSR partners.

Kathy kindly managed to arrange for me to attend a Sky Sox home game in Colorado Springs on the Sunday of my visit. It was a fantastic chance to see how the partnership worked first hand.

The game included music between every ball thrown, a crazy mascot called Sox (the fox, of course) and games, giveaways and prizes like hotel breaks, season tickets and scores of baseballs.

The benefits of this partnership for Arc are far reaching and clear to see. With Arc organising a 'tailgate BBQ' fundraiser before the game (a BBQ in the parking lot, served from cars) and were mentioned numerous times the game, including at one of the breaks where an ‘Arky’ Arc advert was shown on the electronic score board. So far Arc have been thrilled with the 5 month season partnership, so it will be really interesting to see if they continue it next year.

Arc also run events, fundraisers and store openings where Sox (the Sky Sox mascot) attends as the 'VIP'. They are able to openly advertise their relationship with the Sky Sox in their stores and on local TV, radio and roadside adverts.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

20 | P a g e

Other CSR and community partnerships at Arc Thirft Arc also run a wide and diverse range of community events and partnerships. These range from events that benefit their target group, those with developmental disabilities and those that benefit the community as a whole, particularly those from low income families. The second of these programs often involve a partner charity who co-ordinate the program on the ground. I've pulled out some that stood out and could be easily transferable to the UK: Fill-a-truck Fundraiser - involves supporting local community groups to raise their own funds through collecting donations for Arc. Arc deliver a truck to an agreed location and the community group fill the truck with donations generated from their friends, family and supporters. Upon collection of the truck, Arc pay $'s per pound for the donations collected. The community group are happy to have funds for their next activity or event (often scout or girl guides groups), and Arc get some great donations. Voucher Distribution - Arc produce an estimated 100,000+ shopping vouchers each year that are distributed to local charities to give out to their clients, Arc partner with both the Salvation Army and Volunteers of America. Each $5 voucher is redeemable in store, there is no minimum spend and vouchers can be added together meaning 4 vouchers, worth $20, could be spent in store at once. There is no catch (although understandably no change will be given). Volunteers of America (VoA) City Harvest Annual Food Drive[11] - each year VoA run an food drive. This is in essence a huge annual food bank. In the months running up to the event, Arc tell every potential donor they speak to at their call centre about the drive, and offer to pick up donations of food at the doorstep while picking up donations of goods for their stores. Arc then store, and eventually package up the food which is then given to the partnering charities to distribute. This year, 150 tons of food has been collected this way. Back to School drive - every year a number of charities in the Denver area run a back to school drive. This drive offers children receiving school meals a chance to have free clothing, shoes and supplies to help ease the cost of their return to school. Arc provide 100% of the clothes for this initiative. They also partner with Crocs (who are based in Denver) who last year gave each child in the program two pairs of shoes. This was organised and arranged by Arc.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

21 | P a g e

PROJECT 4: Goodwill, San Francisco CA

After a further 2,000 miles on the road we arrived in San Francisco. Thankfully the famous summer fog lifted for a few days to give me an unexpectedly sunny time in this historic city.

I had scheduled a meeting with Linda Shih, director of Sales and Marketing of Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo & Marin at my final project location.

About Goodwill Industries

Goodwill Industries represents 165 networks across the US, each of which is completely separate to the next. They do however each share the same common goal, offering customised job training, employment placement and a range of other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience or face other employment or work related challenges. San Francisco Goodwill, although small compared to many others, is a $36 million operation, with 21 retail stores in the SF area providing 80% of its overall funding.

750 employees work across the organisation as a whole, and over 250 of these work from their central offices, warehouse and flagship stores I visited on Mission St in downtown SF.

Flagship store, 1570 Mission St. San Fransisco

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

22 | P a g e

Goodwill San Francisco CSR

The CSR project I was most keen to find out about was the 'Goodwill Recompute' scheme.

It offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to donate their old computers/used electronic devices to the scheme. Trained Recompute workshop technicians then refurbish the old machines/devices or build new ones from harvested parts. The computer scheme saved the carbon equivalent of 500 cars last year alone.

The scheme ensures unusable parts are fully recycled. On the job training is offered to new technicians, who are provided with placements to learn these new skills.

Refurbished machines are sold at Goodwill stores so low income families can purchase up to date computer equipment at low prices.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

23 | P a g e

Conclusion

Below are some important or particularly memorable elements of the trip

which have influenced my research and professional role in the UK since my

return home;

Thrifting in New York – I will always remember (and one day hope to

return to see) the high-end thrift stores in Manhattan, NY. Each had

their own unique boutique, vintage or industrial feel and some of the

best designer clothing and interior donations I have seen. These will

definitely influence my drive to continue to create and shop in these

types of stores in the UK.

CSR partnerships with a difference - Sky Sox baseball game experience in

Colorado Springs; seeing how a corporate sponsorship can work for a

non-profit organisation. As corporate partnerships become more sought

after, the charity retail sector in the UK could learn much from the

benefits of this partnership with a difference.

Community Partnerships - As my time unfolded at both Impact! Thrift,

PA and Arc Thrift, CO my interest was sparked by their plethora of

community partnerships. Both Impact! and Arc have initiated a host of

original community partnerships with local community groups, schools

and charities. As well as ensuring positive, long-term relationships are

built within these groups, the partnerships have also greatly benefited a

wide variety of people in the local communities of both Pennsylvania

and Colorado respectively.

In the end, my fellowship travels included time spent in 14 states and 7 major

cities. I covered over 5000 miles, took 2000 photos and received 5500 blog

views - all in 35 days!

However, it is only since my arrival back in the UK that I have fully realised that

far from being over, my fellowship is only now beginning. My dissemination

will be a long term project it itself and I am very excited to see how the

application of my research will develop and evolve over the coming years.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

24 | P a g e

Dissemination

My ongoing dissemination includes:

Enable Mercy in Action to develop new CSR partnerships, which will

enhance our charity retail business in the UK, and ultimately generate

finances for our overseas projects.

Begin to develop similar community partnerships in local communities

where the 13 Mercy in Action stores are located, building greater local

awareness of our overseas projects and benefitting the local population

in these areas.

Sharing my research in my local area (South West England) with several

local charities in the charity retail sector with which I already have

relationships.

Engaging further with the Charity Retail Association[13] (the leading

umbrella organisation for the charity retail sector) to discuss my

research, and hosting a seminar at 2014 annual conference to ensure my

research is available to as many people in the charity retail sector as

possible.

The dissemination of my research began almost the moment I was back,

contacting the numerous people I connected with during my trip, both at

home and in the US.

The blog I wrote during my trip [12] has attracted more interest than I ever

could have hoped for, and has already enabled me to make many contacts

with people who would like to read my research and discuss my findings in

relation to their charity retail operations.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

25 | P a g e

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, without their

funding none of this would have been possible. I hope, over time to prove that

I was a worthy recipient of this prestigious fellowship award.

My deepest thanks and appreciation go to:

David Raper and the retail team at Housing Works, NY

www.housingworks.org

Jo Greenawalt, Paul Baur and the team at Impact Thrift, PA

www.impactthrift.org

Kathy McAdoo and the team at Arc Thrift, CO

www.arcthrift.org

Linda Shih and the team at Goodwill, San Francisco, CA

www.goodwillsf.org

To everyone as Mercy in Action, especially the Directors for enabling me to

take advantage of this opportunity.

To my lovely children Ellie, Finn & Jude, thank you for being patient.

And finally, to my husband Si, for his love and support during the trip. He

calmed my nerves on many meeting days and let me keep the light on during

the numerous occasions my research and blog kept me working into the early

hours.

R Bright Fellowship Report 2013

26 | P a g e

Appendix

1. Winston Churchill Memorial Trust website link http://www.wcmt.org.uk/

2. World Business Council for Sustainable Development ‘Making Good Business

Sense’ definition link http://research.dnv.com/csr/PW_Tools/PWD/1/00/L/1-

00-L-2001-01-0/lib2001/WBCSD_Making_Good_Business_Sense.pdf

3. European Commission CSR definition link

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sustainable-business/corporate-

social-responsibility/index_en.htm

4. Mercy in Action website link http://www.mercyinaction.org.uk/

5. Marks & Spencer 'Plan A' link http://plana.marksandspencer.com

6. Housing works mission link http://www.housingworks.org/about/mission/

7. Housing Works ‘Fashion for Action’ link http://www.fashionforaction.org/

8. Housing Works ‘Design on a Dime’ link

http://www.housingworks.org/events/design-on-a-dime/

9. Arc Thrift website quote mission link http://www.arcthrift.org/mission/our-

mission.html

10. Sky Sox website link http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t551

11. Volunteers of America - City Harvest Annual Food Drive

http://www.voacolorado.org/

12. Rachel Bright Blog link http://mycharityretailfellowship.blogspot.co.uk/

13. Charity Retail Association website link http://www.charityretail.org.uk/