Gifts-in-Kind

A Gift-in-Kind is any non-monetary gift to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Common examples include chemo caps/hats, books, and toys. MSK policies prohibit any form of advertising on the items, e.g., items bearing business cards or logos.

For more information on gifts-in-kind please contact Development Services by phone at 646-227-3549 or email devservices@mskcc.org.

Books
As space becomes available, MSK does gratefully accept donations of new hard and soft cover books. Please contact MSK prior to sending. Unfortunately, drop-offs are not accepted.

Chemo Caps, Knitted Hats, etc
Cancer patients benefit from knitted or crocheted caps or hats during the winter and brimmed hats and lightweight caps during the spring and summer. Hats and caps may be purchased or handmade and should be constructed of soft fabric that will not irritate sensitive skin. For infection control and patient comfort, fabric and/or material must be new. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept used donations.

Games, Toys, and Activities for Pediatrics
All donated items should be new, sealed, and unused. For both patient safety and privacy, donors are not permitted to distribute gifts directly to patients and/or families.

Other Items
For more information on gifts-in-kind or to inquire about donating an item not on the list, please contact Development Services by phone at 646-227-3549 or email devservices@mskcc.org.

Artwork
MSK is not accepting donations of artwork at this time.

Used Items
Due to concern for patient health and safety, MSK does not accept used items of any kind.

Wig and Hair Donation
MSK no longer accepts donations of wigs or hair, real or synthetic, new or used. However, there are many options. You can find more information about hair donation on the  Cancer.net blog.

Advertisements
MSK policies prohibit any form of advertising on the items, e.g., items bearing business cards or logos.

For more information on our gifts-in-kind decline policy, please contact Development Services by phone at 646-227-3549 or email devservices@mskcc.org.

MSK understands that patients are thankful to clinicians for the care they receive, and sometimes wish to express their gratitude through gift giving. For those patients and family members, MSK encourages giving to MSK directly, as MSK staff are not permitted to accept cash gifts or other gifts worth more than nominal value. Hospital staff is required to adhere to strict compliance guidelines, which can be provided upon request.

MSK’s Development Office oversees gifts-in-kind requests. All gifts-in-kind policies have been carefully and thoughtfully developed to protect patient safety, comfort, and confidentiality.

For more information on gifts-in-kind please contact Development Services by phone at 646-227-3549 or email devservices@mskcc.org.

In considering a gifts-in-kind offer, MSK’s Development Office will consider multiple helpful criteria, such as:

• Is it relevant to the work of MSK? Generally, MSK accepts only gifts that further our mission, including our utmost concern for both patient safety and privacy.
• Will the gifts-in-kind cost MSK money in the future, such as maintenance, repair, or preservation costs?
• Will the gifts-in-kind require a special facility in which to house it? Due to a space shortage, and the high costs associated with storing items, MSK is limited in the items it can accept.
• If the gifts-in-kind is intended to be given to patients, MSK generally will only accept gifts-in-kind for which the per-item value is under $15.

For more information on gifts-in-kind please contact Development Services by phone at 646-227-3549 or email devservices@mskcc.org.

MSK gratefully acknowledges the quantity of approved gifts in-kind. However, we are unable to confirm the monetary value of the gifts. Donors should arrange for materials to be appraised prior to donation and must assume the appraisal costs.

For more information on gifts-in-kind please contact Development Services by phone at 646-227-3549 or email devservices@mskcc.org.

MSK has a special occasion giving program to facilitate gifts like these. To learn more, please visit ways to give.

Patient comfort and privacy are MSK’s top priority. In consideration of our patients, no media coverage or involvement is allowed unless previously reviewed, approved and arranged through the MSK Public Affairs Department. Also, impromptu donation “ceremonies” are not permitted in any Center location—nor are cameras (personal or otherwise) permitted for “ceremonies.”

For more information on gifts-in-kind please contact Development Services by phone at 646-227-3549 or email devservices@mskcc.org.

Due to health and safety reasons, there are specific regulations and procedures in place for the acceptance of gifts-in-kind. Whenever possible, donated items not meeting MSK criteria will be returned to the donor, or otherwise passed on to other community organizations.

For more information on gifts-in-kind please contact Development Services by phone at 646-227-3549 or email devservices@mskcc.org.